There’s something therapeutic about sitting in my car. When inside, I’m taken to a place where reality doesn’t exist: I can simply detach from the constant demands of everyday life by staring blankly at my dashboard, exploring a random passing thought like, “Wait, do vaginas have protein?”
In these moments parked in the driveway, I find clarity and peace. It’s like self-care without the meditation apps and celery juice. I can simply exist without the ping of a Slack notification, spend some time daydreaming about what it would be like to be a coastal grandma, and mentally reset before checking my bank account.
The solitude I find in my car isn’t exclusively my own experience, though. Not only are there multiple Reddit threads on the subject, but TikTok creators have also shared videos on the same sentiment. Some people simply enjoy the peace and quiet it brings, while others use their car to process their emotions or feelings.
“Sitting in your car serves as a transitional space – a haven that exists between the outside world and home,” psychotherapist Jessica Hunt says. “It’s a moment to decompress, process the day, and mentally prepare for what’s next.” Below, Hunt explains more about why so many people find comfort in the car.
Experts Featured in This Article
Jessica Hunt, LCSW, is a California-based psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, relationships, identity, and life transitions.
Why Do I Love Sitting In My Car?
One reason why you may enjoy sitting in your car is because it feels like a personal bubble. “It’s a small, controlled environment where you can relax without interruption, which provides a sense of safety and control,” Hunt says. “This is a very comforting escape from the stresses of daily life – even if it’s temporary.”
In the same way people may decompress by painting, working out, reading a book, or going on a hot girl walk, a moment of solitude in the car could have the same effect – especially for people with children, who may feel like they don’t often have alone time. The time in the car may be a rare opportunity for a break from any and all responsibilities or stresses.
On a psychological level, decompressing in your car could be related to the concept of “transition time” or “micro breaks,” Hunt says. “These are moments that help us shift from one part of our day to another, allowing us to reset and recharge mentally.”
Personally, I like to sit in my car following a workout class. Of course, this may be because I’m tired and the mere thought of moving my hands to start the car seems like too much work. But it’s also because it helps me come down from my workout and prepare myself for what the rest of the day has in store.
Either way, it’s not a bad thing to use your car as a mobile sanctuary. (It’s cheaper than a massage or a flight to Greece, after all.) But if you find yourself needing these moments frequently, “it might be a sign that you need more intentional downtime or stress management in your routine,” Hunt says.
“Listen to the cues and explore how you can incorporate more relaxation and moments to recharge throughout your day,” she adds. Until then, you can find me in my car.
Taylor Andrews is a Balance editor at PS who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more. In her six years working in editorial, she’s written about how semen is digested, why sex aftercare is the move, and how the overturn of Roe killed situationships.
