You’re driving at normal speed, and the person behind you proceeds to tailgate, presumably because you are driving too slow. This individual begins to flash headlights and honk before aggressively speeding around and making a quick exit. You notice the person speeds right into the parking lot of…fast food. So, what was the rush? A crying baby? An emergency?

Probably, not.

I first noticed this peeve when headed somewhere with my partner. It was by no means anywhere urgent. However, he would aggressively speed around people or get visibly agitated if a person ahead were driving too slow. I’d ask him this question right then, “what is the rush?” It’s a bit offensive to the passengers. Are you in that big of a hurry to get out of the car? For the most part, many of us are working adults, and spend a great deal of time sleeping, eating, or in the bathroom when we aren’t committed to work or around others.

This also applies to being in the car alone. Instead of focusing so much on getting to a destination, focus on your surroundings. What colors are you noticing? How about people watching- where do you think the person at the bus stop is headed, or in the car beside you?

To some degree, we’ve learned a lot about who we are over the last year, but we’ve also lost parts of who we were, in good and bad ways. Salvage what you can from the good. Adjust where needed, and adapt when possible.

Pay attention to your own mood the next time you’re driving, or walking, or rushing. What have you noticed?