Finding Peace Without Driving ~
I have a fairly new car that I leased in 2024. It’s a long story how I came to lease a car—it’s not something I love to do, but it is what it is. Right now, my car is in the shop until Friday. That means I’ll be without it for a week. Surprisingly, I’m finding the experience a little freeing. The thought of not having to drive anywhere brings a sense of peace. After years of battling the traffic of Southern and Central California, I thought moving to Reno would feel manageable. It’s not.
I actually love to drive. Some of my best thinking and creative ideas come when I’m behind the wheel. Living near the Eastern Sierras gives me access to stunning scenery that makes driving even more enjoyable. But the truth is, no matter how beautiful the backdrop, traffic takes its toll. The daily grind of congestion, aggressive drivers, and endless stoplights chip away at that joy. My time in Montana spoiled me—I lived in a town without a single stoplight. The only time I-90 ever backed up was because of an accident or the annual migration of elk and moose. Think about it…sitting on the interstate while you watch elk and moose pass with the Bridger Mountains in the background.
Recently, I came across an article in Psychology Today titled Commuting: The Stress That Doesn’t Pay by Marlynn Wei, M.D., J.D. The piece explains how commuting—and especially driving in traffic—impacts our mental health and social life. The unpredictability and loss of control on the road fuel stress, irritability, and fatigue. Longer commutes are linked to higher blood pressure, more frustration, and less time for the activities that bring joy and balance.
Reading this made me realize why I’ve been feeling a sense of relief while carless. Without driving, I’m free to just be. I can walk to the gym, fitting in both exercise and fresh air. I can linger at home in my pajamas. I can slow down, breathe, and reclaim the time I usually spend in traffic.
Going without a car, even temporarily, has given me something unexpected: peace of mind. Traffic stress is real, and it affects not just my patience but also my physical and mental health. By stepping back from the wheel, I’m sensing peace, relief and letting go. Maybe being “carless” isn’t a setback after all. Maybe it’s an invitation to reset, recharge, and rethink how much I need to stop driving so much and just be at peace at home.
Carless ~ julie
If you feel so inclined, please reply with your thoughts.
Note: JM Lane is NOT a mental health professional, nor does she carry a license to practice medicine. Posts, blogs, and content are based on JM Lane’s personal experiences, perceptions, and reflections. By no means does any material convey what others should or should not do.