12/12/2025
It’s that time of year again. Unexpected road conditions, white-knuckle driving treks, hi stress to what used to be a manageable drive to work. Everyone in front of you is personally trying to you, and the people behind are just lunatics that shouldn’t be on the road!
Over the years, I can honestly say that I’ve been one of each of these people.
At this point in my life I have worked hard to remove unnecessary stress from my life, or at best, restrict the duration of my personal hell.
On Monday we had some snow with winds and on that day I left 30 minutes early for what is normally a 1-hour trip to my work. I was behind someone who was going 40km in a 90km span, of which I tend to go a bit faster anyway! After a while it was apparent that I was going to be late for work. Then I did something that has taken me years to accomplish. I asked myself to consider what that person must be going through. Clearly they were scared, and they obviously would have rather have had the option to just stay home. I recalled m early days of having no choice it to drive to work for fear of losing my job. I suddenly was able to release the tension and just ease back from riding this persons bumper. I gladly took the pressure from what ended up being about 15 cars behind me. It actually felt good to think that I was able to try and help this person get to work with less trauma/drama. Ultimately I benefited regardless, from what has normally been road rage before starting a long day of work.
So, when you have that poor person in front of you, ask yourself, do you honestly believe it’s helping to put pressure on someone that is already clearly highly stressed. It does feel good to change your perspective. Give it a shot some day and see for yourself.
