I don’t mind being stuck in one place for a long time. I don’t mind being in a seatbelt for long periods of time. I don’t even mind not being able to stretch my legs out for hours.
If anything, I like that feeling. It could be a strange thing to love, but it’s familiar to me. I have always loved car rides and roadtrips, always preferred a fifteen-hour car drive to a three-hour plane ride.
I like the time I get for myself in the car. It’s a chance for me to sit and think; hence why I would define myself as a “thought daughter.” And when, and where, is the best time to think? When you are planted in a seat for hours with nothing to do but look out the window and imagine your life in one million different ways.
I’ve always loved music; I feel like the lyrics could describe how I was feeling when I couldn’t describe it myself. When I am taking a road trip, I put on my headphones, block out everyone else in the car, and let the music flow through my ears while the lyrical geniuses and ethereal voices seep through my brain, seeming to touch every nerve so that I feel it throughout my entire body. I am a person who feels everything so much, so I love to take advantage of road trips and long car rides to sort those feelings out.
The best kind of car ride is at night. Looking out the window and seeing nothing but darkness is a strange comfort that I find myself enjoying. The stars gleam in the night sky, and the moment takes on an inspirational tone. Nighttime is when it’s most peaceful to be in the car. It’s quiet, it’s dark, and it’s lonely, but I like the loneliness.
When all is wrong, a long car ride makes me feel right for once. Yes, the night is peaceful, but having the sunlight bathe your skin through the car window is another incomparable, warm feeling. Being in the car during the day brings hope, while the night provides me with infinite thoughts and feelings to manage in my crazed mind.
When I feel overwhelmed, stressed, or sad, there’s one thing that fixes it. I get into my car, start it, and drive around with no destination. I blast my music at full volume for the most dramatic effect. I roll the windows down and let the breeze lift my hair and feel the cold beneath my skin, and I feel the music that’s playing deep in my soul.
Sometimes I wonder how people hate long car rides. I could never. Long car rides are so healing, offering my mind a chance to go quiet in a world full of noise. Everything is shut out except for my own thoughts.
I am the kind of person to love the journey more than the destination.
I don’t mind being in the car; in fact, it’s my safe place. My personal haven. A place to hold all of my emotions, a place to reminisce about the state of my life, what it was, and what it can be. I love road trips and long car rides. I always have.
