I Want to Go Home
The bell rings, and the chaos begins. The doors quickly swing wide as the six hundred and fifty bodies swarm out of the classrooms, darting to get to their next classes. They hurriedly move along in the halls, tramping with great strides that shorten as they approach the traffic of individuals packed by the exits, desperately waiting to slip away. They bustle through the busy breezeway, bumping shoulders and running into backpacks, hoping to avoid the flighty freshmen linking arms, ignorantly blocking the crowded path. The sulky mob breaks apart as the bodies separate and disappear back into the classrooms. Ten minutes pass and the once hectic scene finally goes quiet. The bell rings, and the class begins.
Whether it is anxiously making your way to class amidst the scrambling sea of students or calmly sitting down in a classroom surrounded by rows of desks, school gives you no space of your own. Though some may tolerate, or even thrive in such surroundings, others feel trapped, awaiting for the final bell to sound to grant them their freedom–the freedom to pursue a more comfortable space–a personal space.
I find myself being one of these individuals that seek alone time after a busy day. From 8 to 3, I am stuck in a world of constant movement and noise–an atmosphere with variables I have no power to control. So, once that final bell rings, I sprint for the door.
I eagerly make my way to my car and relieve myself as I unload all the baggage I lug around all day, carelessly throwing them in the back. I then jump into the front seat and start the engine. As I prepare to leave, I quickly grab my phone and connect it to the car to play my music from the appropriately named playlist I created on Spotify called "Revival" compiled with songs designed to lift up my exhausted spirit. Once I hit play, my blissful journey home begins.
My music plays as I cruise through downtown with an easy and calm route home. I prefer it over the freeway because I don't live too far away, and navigating through the downtown streets is just more convenient for me. It's quiet with not much traffic. It's slower, while still getting me to where I need to be in a way that I find most relaxing and peaceful. I get to soak in the sunlight beaming through my windows as I drive down 11th. I get to absorb the upbeat energy my music expresses as it blasts throughout the car. I get to confidently sing along to my favorite artists and genres of music, belting out musical runs by Ariana Grande and spitting raps by Drake. Ten, fifteen minutes pass without my notice and I make my way home in a seeming heartbeat. Though the trip is short, it is everything that I need after the buzzing eternity that is school. It is perfect for me. It is my space.
Whether it is anxiously making your way to class amidst the scrambling sea of students or calmly sitting down in a classroom surrounded by rows of desks, school gives you no space of your own. Though some may tolerate, or even thrive in such surroundings, others feel trapped, awaiting for the final bell to sound to grant them their freedom–the freedom to pursue a more comfortable space–a personal space.
I find myself being one of these individuals that seek alone time after a busy day. From 8 to 3, I am stuck in a world of constant movement and noise–an atmosphere with variables I have no power to control. So, once that final bell rings, I sprint for the door.
I eagerly make my way to my car and relieve myself as I unload all the baggage I lug around all day, carelessly throwing them in the back. I then jump into the front seat and start the engine. As I prepare to leave, I quickly grab my phone and connect it to the car to play my music from the appropriately named playlist I created on Spotify called "Revival" compiled with songs designed to lift up my exhausted spirit. Once I hit play, my blissful journey home begins.
My music plays as I cruise through downtown with an easy and calm route home. I prefer it over the freeway because I don't live too far away, and navigating through the downtown streets is just more convenient for me. It's quiet with not much traffic. It's slower, while still getting me to where I need to be in a way that I find most relaxing and peaceful. I get to soak in the sunlight beaming through my windows as I drive down 11th. I get to absorb the upbeat energy my music expresses as it blasts throughout the car. I get to confidently sing along to my favorite artists and genres of music, belting out musical runs by Ariana Grande and spitting raps by Drake. Ten, fifteen minutes pass without my notice and I make my way home in a seeming heartbeat. Though the trip is short, it is everything that I need after the buzzing eternity that is school. It is perfect for me. It is my space.
I enjoyed reading about your space. I am similar in that I need a lot of personal space and time away from the rigor of school. I especially enjoyed the intro that provided a scene fit for imagination. My question is, is driving therapeutic for you always or only in this instance, after school where you are going a short distance?
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you described your experience leading up to your peaceful moments during your drive home from school. It is a story I am sure many of us can relate to, myself included, but I have never given much thought to how the drive home can be relaxing. I have always considered driving home after a long day to be the mundane time between the present moment and being able to unwind at home so it was interesting to hear a different perspective.
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