I think I’ve officially hit a point where I hate driving. And honestly? I blame public transportation. Once you’ve gotten a taste of hopping on a bus or train, scrolling, sipping your coffee, and just enjoying the ride, going back to being in charge of the car feels like a punishment.
Even in a small town, driving is stressful. I always have my cruise control on like a security blanket because even the thought of controlling every little movement is exhausting. And don’t get me started on parking, it’s like a never-ending scavenger hunt for a space that won’t make you feel like you’re attempting a high-stakes Tetris challenge. Driving and parking are stressful in their own very different ways, but together? Forget it.
Speaking of public transportation, I was driving through Nashville the other day and noticed the bus stops… or, well, what counts as bus stops here. Some of them were literally just a sign a foot away from the road, no bench, no roof, nothing. Just a lonely pole with a tiny bus icon daring you to wait there. I actually saw a girl sitting in the grass, trying to make herself comfortable while she waited for the bus. I mean… this is 2025, people. We are so behind on public transportation.
It made me think about Spain again, where bus and train stops actually feel like places to exist. There are benches, shelters, and even little signs with schedules and maps. You can sit, read, scroll on your phone, or just watch the world go by without fearing a speeding car will run over your toes. Meanwhile, back here, it’s basically a gamble: will the bus come, will a car swerve too close, or will you just spend your waiting time getting grass stains? It’s like public transit is trying to teach patience the hard way.
The thing is, when you’re behind the wheel, you can’t really enjoy the ride. You’re constantly scanning, calculating, making sure you don’t hit anything (or anyone), and plotting where you’ll squeeze in at your destination. But be a passenger? Instant upgrade. Suddenly, you’re a passenger princess. You can relax, take in the scenery, sing along to your playlist, or just stare out the window and feel like life is effortless.
Even errands feel like work now. A simple grocery trip becomes a battle of patience, spatial awareness, and traffic judgment. Meanwhile, in Spain, hopping on a train to get anywhere meant zero parking stress, zero stop-and-go headaches, and no one honking at you because you dared to take your sweet time turning onto a street.
I’m not saying I’ll never drive again, there are times you have to, but I think I’ve officially joined the ranks of people who secretly judge themselves for ever thinking driving was fun. Give me a train, a bus, or literally any ride where someone else does the stressing for me, and I’ll be a happy traveler.
I know that back home, riding public transportation is often seen as a “poor person” move, but honestly, we need to make it trendy again.
Reverse culture shock? Maybe. But mostly, it’s just a reminder: once you know the joy of being a passenger princess, there’s no going back.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
