Drive In Silence

Do you ever drive in silence? It's never really intentional for me. It usually only happens in the winter when I have gloves on and don't want to deal with the cold to turn something on. Well, what about the radio? I don't listen to the radio. I'm not the biggest fan of how most radio stations sound in general, plus all the extra talking, plus the ads. I have Spotify Premium cause I really don't want ads if I'm listening to music. I specifically remember getting Spotify Premium when I was in college in 2019, because I got tired of half of my walk (or more) to classes being just listening to ads. 

I typically either turn on a YouTube video (before I start driving) that's long enough for my drive and listen to that (still get ads for that, unlike my husband), or I listen to music on Spotify. I create a playlist each month of songs I'm currently into, new ones I've found that I want to listen to, and songs that fit the season (I also add and subtract to it as the month goes on). It's fun to go back to previous years' playlists and see what songs I was into at the time. 

My driving time is important to me. It is the transition period from not working to working, or being alone/with just my husband to having to be social, or a time to intentionally switch my mood. The time while driving can make a huge difference for many things. 

But when I drive in silence, it's just me and my thoughts. Sometimes, it's just me zoning out, then wondering how I drove for 2-5 minutes because I don't remember what happened. Did I go through a stop sign or stoplight? Hope not, cause I don't remember anything. We've all been there! 

What do you listen to while you drive? Do you listen to anything at all? 

I have to travel for work for three weeks once a year, and it's hours and hours of driving. It is hard to find interesting videos to listen to and try not to get bored of music. All of this while being tired and sometimes trying not to fall asleep so you force yourself to sing along to upbeat music. It's a lot. 

Your car should feel like a safe space for you. I've cried in my car, I sing along to songs in my car, felt nervous, felt excited, and everything in between. 

Something my grandma taught me when I was younger was to pray for every ambulance you see. Where I live right now, we get a lot of traffic outside our window, and every time an ambulance goes by, I pray for them. We hear sirens often enough that I can't always tell if it's a cop or an ambulance unless I look out the window. 

What is your "car routine?" Do you ever use this time to intentionally make your day better? Next time you get in your car, pay attention to your habits and see how it impacts your day. Do you ever pray in your car or listen to Christian music? I know I don't do either of these things nearly enough. 

For me, my car is the moment I get to breathe after work or an event. No more putting on a face if I'm exhausted or tired of office small talk. I am no longer on the clock, and all I have to do is drive home. 

And, sometimes, driving in silence is the one thing you need. You don't always have to have constant background entertainment. Is it uncomfortable for you to be with just your thoughts for a drive? Why? 

Stay safe in your world and your heart while driving. 

~ The Inspired One