Rideshare Therapy

I don’t think I can even properly begin to explain the range of conversations I’ve had while driving rideshare. It’s truly an amazing and entertaining experience. I’ve learned a lot about a lot of random things.

Anyone who knows anything about me will tell you random is definitely one of my strongest personality traits. I enjoy learning anything and everything. I also enjoy sharing that knowledge. Sharing something totally random is also a common occurrence with me.

You come across some hilarious and unbelievable situations that most people wouldn’t even believe while driving rideshare. You also come across people who really need to be heard or feel seen. I enjoy both types of rides.

There have been several people who shared the trauma they were going through with me. I’ve seen people in some very dark moments. When those people wanted to talk or share, I listened. When they gave me permission, I shared my thoughts, experiences, and perspective with them.

I was just being who I am, so I didn’t realize the impact that I might potentially have on someone else’s life. Until one night I received a message that a passenger had left some feedback for me. As soon as I read her words, I knew exactly which ride it was.

(The rideshare company keeps the passenger’s information private so we don’t ever know who left us which rating or review unless they say something specific that would tell us.)

The woman wrote that she was planning on killing herself that night until she got in my car. I dropped her and her husband off at the airport. The entire ride was uncomfortable with a heaviness in the air that was nearly suffocating. The husband sat up front with me and she sat in the back with another passenger. (It was a shared ride.)

They were visiting Vegas as a celebration. Something happened and her husband was not happy with her. She called her mother to vent and the mother told the sister, who the woman didn’t even talk to. There was a lot of drama.

She felt like her life was over. She was worried about the whole family and town knowing what happened between her and her husband. And she was worried about her husband leaving her.

Just listening to her talk on the phone and feeling the energy of her despair during those fifteen minutes compelled me to speak to her when we arrived at the airport. Her husband took his bags and walked inside before she was even out of the car.

I asked her if I could share something with her. She nodded and wiped her face. I told her that even the darkest storms that we think will break us don’t. I asked her to breathe, give her husband some space to sort out his thoughts, and to do the same for herself. I told her that it didn’t matter what the family or townspeople said, or even if her husband decided to end their marriage, because she still has her gifts to offer herself and the world.

I told her that I completely understood the feeling of despair when you can’t see an inch in front of you and that’s okay. Instead of trying to see tomorrow, just breathe and know that you are okay in this moment.

We hugged and she disappeared inside of the airport. I went on about my night. I didn’t know that she planned to take her life that night. I didn’t know a lot of things. I just felt compelled to speak to her.

When I read the review a few days later, I felt gratitude for being able to be there when she needed a person to see her and remind her that she mattered. I also felt incredibly humbled.

A few weeks later I had a group of college guys. We were joking about all of the things people share during the rides, how I was taking psychology courses and writing The Rideshare Chronicles.

We joked about how I should start Rideshare Therapy where you get your ride to work and counseling for one price. That would free up a lot of time and more people might actually take advantage of going to therapy.

Sometimes people just need to know they matter. A simple smile, hello, or a few seconds spent to listen to someone might change someone’s life. If we all practiced a little kindness and community, what kind of world would we live in?