You made it.
You're parked.
The drive is over.
If the engine's still running...
go ahead and turn it off.
Let the car go quiet.
Take your hands off the wheel.
Let them rest on your legs.
Feel the seat under It's you.
been holding you this whole time.
Lean back into it a Listen little.
to the rain on the Tap, roof.
tap, It's tap.
in no hurry at all.
Let's take six minutes right here.
Before you walk inside.
So.
Rough drive?
Maybe someone cut you off.
No blinker.
Nothing.
And you hit the brakes hard.
Maybe it was the guy riding your bumper...
for eight miles.
Or a light that turned red twice.
And you said a few things.
Out loud.
To nobody.
That's alright.
We all do it.
And maybe it didn't stop there.
You kept replaying it.
What you should have done.
What you'd say.
The whole way home...
you were still arguing with that car.
Check in with your body now.
Start with your hands.
Are they still buzzing?
Now your jaw.
Is it set tight?
Are your back teeth pressed together?
And your chest.
Maybe your heart's still going fast.
Like the car is still moving.
That's your body doing its job.
It saw a threat on the road.
It got you ready.
But the road is behind you The now.
car is in Your park.
body just hasn't heard So yet.
let's tell it.
Make two fists.
Tight.
Tighter than on Squeeze the wheel.
all that traffic into The them.
honking.
The near miss.
Hold it there.
Breathe in and keep squeezing...
And let go as you breathe out.
Open your hands.
Let them fall.
Feel the tingle in your fingers.
That's the anger leaving.
Once more.
Make fists.
Squeeze.
Breathe in...
And open up.
Breathe out, long and slow.
Now picture the other driver.
The one who cut you off.
Just their car.
The back of it.
Watch it pull ahead.
Getting smaller.
Heading off down some other road.
Breathe out...
and let it turn the corner.
Gone.
You'll never see that car again.
You don't have to carry it home.
Maybe they were late for something.
Maybe they're just a bad driver.
You'll never know.
That's okay.
They already forgot about you.
They're probably home by now.
Eating dinner.
Not thinking of you at all.
So you're allowed to forget them too.
Breathe in...
And out.
Let your jaw hang loose.
Now just sit here.
In the quiet of the car.
No traffic.
No mirrors to check.
Nobody behind you.
Just the rain on the roof.
And your breath.
Let your shoulders drop.
Let your hands go heavy.
Let your eyes close, if you like.
This little space is yours.
For a few more breaths.
If the replay starts up again...
that's okay.
Just hear the rain instead.
Watch the drops run down the windshield.
Slow.
Crooked.
None of them in a hurry.
Breathe in...
And out...
Okay.
Let's get you inside.
Roll your shoulders back.
Stretch your fingers wide.
One more slow breath in...
And out.
Here's your next step.
Grab your bag.
Lock the car.
When you get to the front door...
stop.
Hand on the handle.
Take one slow breath there.
In through your nose.
Out through your mouth.
That breath is the line.
The drive stays on this side.
You walk in on the other.
Whoever's home gets the calm you.
Go on in.