Snuggle with Sam

Fun fact: as a lifelong MA girlie, I used to be a full-on “Masshole” driver 😅

Like… calm, kind, patient human in real life - but put me behind the wheel and it was a very different story.

Someone cuts me off? Instant rage and middle fingers.

Driving 40 on the highway with not a car in front of you? Ohhh, don’t even get me STARTED.

I knew the road rage was doing me a disservice. I tried so many times to fix it. None of it was really a big deal, anyways. My fixes would work for a week… maybe two. And then I’d be right back in it.
But something shifted recently.

Now when someone cuts me off, I still feel that quick flicker of irritation… but it passes almost immediately. Instead, I find myself thinking, “Wow, they must be in a rush. Hope they’re okay.” And then I just… move on. No lingering anger. No carrying it with me for the next five minutes of the drive.
I stopped being surprised. I was genuinely feeling these emotions rather than the bouts of rage.
Of course someone’s going to cut you off. Of course someone’s going to drive like that.
(Especially on 93. It’s weird when that DOESN’T happen! There’s no reason for you to be surprised when s**t happens.)

That lack of surprise meant that the anger and feelings of indignation went down. My normal empathy went up, even behind the wheel.

I logically knew these things before. But somehow, that acceptance changed what feelings came up in me. The logic caught up with my emotions.

Instead of surprise, I felt something different: acceptance.

Because when you’re not constantly shocked by things that are bound to happen, the anger and feelings of being wronged doesn’t affect you as much. You might still feel it at first… but it moves through you faster and gets to acceptance faster.

(Because come on, I’m not a robot. I still get mad. It’s just not as strong as it used to be.)

Many people will talk about controlling your emotions or trying to “stay calm.” That never really worked for me long term. What has helped more is accepting that certain, cruddy things will happen - without being okay with them happening. That’s the key.

And honestly? It’s made me a much calmer driver… and a calmer person in general.

Hope this helps! Tag your favorite Masshole 😄