Have you ever pulled into your parking space at work and thought, “How on earth did I get here?” You immediately become aware that because of your familiarty with the drive to the office you zoned out. Didn’t pay attention. Went on autopilot.
Then a small amount of fear hits your heart when the thought “I could have died!” fully forms. Driving while practically asleep is a recipe for disaster. No one wants to be woken up by Mack truck.
Nearly everyone has experienced the autopilot sensation when driving a familiar route. It’s easy to quit being present to a moment that happens every single day. At the same time. In the same way.
Going on autopilot is not reserved for our daily commute. No, our relationships are put on autopilot, too. She asks you to take the trash out. He say later. She insists on now. He tells her to quit nagging. She questions how much he really loves her. It’s a conversation they have had many times, a well-worn road in their relationship. Once one or both “wake up” they are in the middle of an argument wondering “How on earth did we get here?”
The fear of going on autopilot in a conversation isn’t as scary as doing so while driving. The repurcussions don’t seem as tragic. Until you’re packing your things after one too many fights about whose turn it is to do the dishes. Or you’re in divorce court because all your conversations were about who spent too much money. All of a sudden you are hit with a Mack truck. And it feels horrible.
You are driving this thing called a relationship. Wake up before it’s too late.
