Don’t Stop the Car

-

 


I was driving one day, music low, windows cracked just enough for the breeze to kiss my face. The road stretched wide ahead, quiet, open, promising. I was in my lane, minding my journey, until I saw someone flagging me down. He looked harmless enough, even kind. So, I slowed down. I stopped the car.

He smiled, said all the right things. Claimed he was headed in the same direction. Spoke of shared destinations, peace, love, purpose, all the places I had written on my soul’s itinerary. I believed him. I made room for him in the passenger seat of my life.

At first, the ride felt light. The conversation flowed. The miles disappeared behind us. But soon, the energy shifted. The air got heavy. His directions grew louder than my own intuition. He reached for the wheel not to guide, but to control. I found myself driving down roads I didn’t recognize, questioning how I’d ended up so far from where I was headed.

That’s the thing about stopping for the wrong people: they don’t just take up space in your car; they alter your route. They distract you with detours that cost time, energy, and sometimes, your peace of mind.

There’s a lesson I learned too late but won’t ever forget: when the energy no longer aligns, don’t drive another mile. Don’t cross another state line hoping they’ll change. Don’t let guilt or loneliness make you miss your next exit. Pull over. Stop at the next rest stop and say, “This is where our journey ends.”

You don’t owe anyone a ride just because they waved you down.
 You don’t have to prove your kindness by sacrificing your peace.
 And you are not obligated to carry passengers who can’t handle your speed, your destination, or your purpose.

Some people only appear to be going your way. They talk like they understand your vision, but their energy tells another story. The moment their presence starts to feel like weight instead of wind, that’s your cue. Don’t explain. Don’t argue. Just release. Let them find their own road.

Because the truth is, you’ve got places to be. You’ve got healing ahead of you, joy waiting at the next city, purpose waving from the horizon. Every time you stop for someone who doesn’t belong, you delay the version of you who’s already waiting at the finish line.

So, keep driving. Keep your music on and your heart open, but guarded. Not everyone deserves a seat beside you. Some were only meant to wave as you passed by.

And if you ever find yourself tempted to stop for someone who looks like potential but feels like confusion, remind yourself:

Don’t stop the car.

 

💛 Thank you for reading! I hope today’s post sparked reflection, inspiration, or maybe even a little healing. Be sure to check back next week for a new dose of truth, growth, and real talk here on Unaltered Voices, where authenticity always has a seat at the table.

🌐 Visit https://payhip.com/UnalteredVoices to explore more resources, guides, and inspiration for your personal and creative journey. See you next week!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psychologically Unsafe Living Environments

-
Image
  "My living environment began to get highly toxic and uncomfortable to the point where I cried a lot, was angry with myself, and was in a state of depression." -Brittany D. Jackson   I felt this! I could relate to the author as she detailed how hard it was for her to live in one toxic environment after the other. These environments take a toll on us mentally and emotionally, making it difficult to trust others. Suppose you have ever felt extreme anxiety, low self-esteem, worthlessness, or feeling drained being around certain people more than likely. In that case, you are living in or have lived in an unsafe environment. Most of us have, at some point, experienced these living conditions at an early age in our childhood homes.   I grew up in psychologically unsafe living conditions. There was access to designer things and everything else to look good on the outside, but the internal structure was in shambles. I could not wait to get out on my own; there was no reason for ...
Read more

How to Identify Narcissistic Friendships

-
Image
Friendships should be a safe space where you feel supported, uplifted, and celebrated. But not all friendships are built on genuine connections. Some people enter your life not to pour into you but to drain you. They want to dim your light, chip away at your confidence, and keep you beneath them. These are narcissistic friendships ; if you’ve ever felt like a “friend” was more of an opponent, you may have experienced one firsthand. At first, their behavior may seem subtle—a backhanded compliment here, an odd reaction to your success there. But over time, the pattern becomes clear. Signs of a Narcissistic Friendship 1. They Have a Superiority Complex No matter what you accomplish, they find a way to make themselves seem better . They constantly try to outshine you , downplay your wins, and make sure you never feel like you’re on their level. They might say things like: “Oh, that’s cute for you, but I’m aiming higher.” “I mean, anyone could have done that.” “I’ve been doing that for year...
Read more

Healing from the Subtle Wounds: A Journey Back to Self

-
Image
  As life continues to unfold, I find myself reflecting deeply on the last five years, a period where, unknowingly, I was entangled in the web of toxic relationships designed to break me. Looking back, one thing becomes clear: when your light shines even a little too brightly, those who have dimmed their own will often work overtime to dim yours too. The goal of the toxic person is simple: bring you down to their level. And sadly, much of what they despise in you is often beauty, strength, and resilience you haven't even fully recognized in yourself yet. I've come to hate that sometimes it takes great pain for us to realize who we are. It's in the betrayal, the loneliness, the subtle wounds that never quite scar over, that's where identity is forced to be reclaimed. Growing up, my mother used backhanded tactics to chip away at my self-esteem. I vividly remember how she would gush over my cousins: "Oh, you're so beautiful," she'd say, over and over, i...
Read more