How to enjoy alternative means of transport when your car is broken

Having your car break down in the middle of a drive is a hassle, to say the least; probably the only consolation you can take away from the experience is that it happens even to the best of us.

Even though avoiding public transport is probably the biggest factor you took into consideration when you bought your own vehicle, you’ll really have no other choice, especially if you’re headed to a particularly important appointment.

For all the horror stories you might have heard about commuting, it really isn’t all that bad

For all the horror stories you might have heard about commuting, it really isn’t all that bad, and Philkotse.com has listed a few tips that might help you see the bright side as you hop on that bus, jeep or cab on your way to your destination.

Tip 1. Look forward to the commute

The prospect of sharing a ride with total strangers might not be too appealing but think of this as your own private time, which means that you’ll largely be undisturbed.

You can also take this as an opportunity to take a rest from the wheel, and let someone else deal with the stresses of traffic. If you need to doze off for a moment, now’s the perfect time to do so. 

Look at the trip as an opportunity to take a rest from driving

>>> Read more: 12 types of Filipino passengers that we encounter on public transport.

Tip 2. Turn your favorite tunes on

If you don't commute quite often, you’d be surprised at how many stops the vehicle makes before it reaches its destination, especially if it’s a bus; This might make you bored at the very least, or impatient and annoyed, especially if you are in a hurry.

One way to fight the boredom is to listen to your favorite tunes. Whip out your headphones or earphones, connect them to your device and press Play.

Some forms of public transport such as buses, jeepneys, and TNVS cars might already have music piped in throughout the cabin for your entertainment, but you can always tune out with your own playlist if you prefer.

Take your playlist with you, even on public transport

>>> Also check: Commuting vs driving in the Philippines: Which is more practical for the long term?

Tip 3. Don’t stress out over things beyond your control

Since you’re not the one behind the wheel this time, you're probably annoyed at the fact that you can't do anything to speed up the journey. You may as well be thinking about how your boss will react to you being late, or if you missed a scheduled business appointment.

These thoughts will leave you restless, stressed and might even cause you to do something that could ruin your whole day. Put all of that in the back seat, calm yourself down and accept that things happen, despite our best-laid plans.

Contemplate on what you can improve on tomorrow

If you’re looking for a little perspective, just think how lucky you are that the car simply broke down, instead of having it worse like losing the brakes.

Instead of bending yourself out of shape, think of how to make things better for you tomorrow, such as getting your car fixed, or maybe try to leave at an earlier time, to give yourself an allowance in case something unexpected happens again.

>>> Worth reading: A Commuter’s Guide to LRT 2 Stations in the Philippines.

Tip 4. Enjoy your company

If you consider yourself an extrovert and you happened to be traveling alone, then you might want to connect with a stranger, but only if you feel safe doing so. Not everyone might be comfortable or receptive to small talk from a random person, so it’s best to proceed with caution.

On the other hand, in case you find yourself on the receiving end, it doesn’t hurt to be polite whether you welcome the attention or not; if you don’t feel particularly chatty, you can nod, grunt or use facial expressions instead.

Hopefully, the other person can take a hint and eventually stops if they sense that you’re becoming uncomfortable. But if you do decide to pursue the conversation, you might glean new insights and even gain a new friend along the way.  

You may want to connect with a stranger, but only if you feel safe

>>> Check out: 5 types of vehicles that every Filipino should be wary of. 

Tip 5. Ponder on life choices

Being in a public commute is your very own “me” time, and you can use this to ponder on some life choices that you would otherwise ask people advice for. If you're alone, you can brood over these choices with more clarity; they could be decisions about your job, education, or even your family.

Although it may seem a little cliché, many people actually do this. Now that you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, the long drive no longer requires your full concentration on the road, leaving you to your thoughts.

Being stuck in a public commute can actually get you a lot of time for yourself