Key Takeaways
- 1Late starts do not cancel the day if you still show up.
- 2Car care is self care for the version of you who has to drive in the rain.
- 3Gas station stops, food, and bathroom breaks are part of the trip, not failure.
- 4Music, podcasts, and real conversations make long solo drives feel lighter.
- 5Growing up can look like new tires, storage unit runs, and a heart full of gratitude.
The Day Starts Late, But It Still Starts
Hi, I am Alyssa, proudly reporting that my alarm went off at 10:30 and I still did not actually start my day until 1:30 in the afternoon. I know, tragic. The snooze button had hands.
The funny part is that the hardest thing I did all day was not a seven hour solo drive or calling insurance. It was getting out of bed. Once I finally stood up, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and did something with my hair, everything else felt way more doable. Not easy, but doable.
If you ever feel like you “ruined” the day by starting late, let this vlog be proof that you can still handle a long to-do list, even when half the day is already gone. The day does not have to be perfect to still move forward.
Being “Just A Girl” At The Tire Shop
This whole trip starts with one problem. My car, “Sunshine,” looked cute, but her tires were fighting for their life. I thought I needed one new tire. Turns out both back tires were bald. Not “kinda worn,” but shiny and smooth.
So I called the tire shop, counted my cash, and had that “baddie on a budget” moment where you want to save money, but you also want to stay alive when it rains. The quote hurt a little, I am not going to lie. Still, I went in for both tires.
Standing there while they rolled my old tire over to me was humbling. You know those moments where you laugh so you do not cry? That was me. I kept saying, “Do not judge me, I am just a girl,” but the truth is, I am a girl who drives a lot and needs to treat her car like more than just a cute accessory.
If you need a sign to book that tire appointment or oil change, this is it. The invoice stings less than sitting on the side of the highway in the dark.
Car Washes, Windshields, And Grown-Up Phone Calls
On top of the tires, my windshield had a huge crack running across it. I had been pushing it off for weeks while playing phone tag with insurance and the glass place. Long hold times, expired upload links, sending call logs and screenshots of wedding invitations as “proof.” Very fun.
Eventually my coverage got verified, which meant the windshield could finally be replaced at no cost to me. The timing was tragic, though. Approval came right before I needed to leave town, so the crack had to stay for the trip.
So now we have: new tires, old crack, dusty car. That is where the car wash membership came in. I pulled through the wash with the giant crack in the glass, praying it did not spread. Then I parked at the vacuums and went full reset mode. Trash out of the doors, mats vacuumed, crumbs gone, little things put back where they belong.
That whole process reminded me that car errands are not just “adulting chores.” They are little acts of love for future you. Future you will slide into a clean car, hit the road, and be so happy you already handled the boring stuff.
Gas Station Quesadillas, Energy Drinks, And That Emergency Stop
Road trip fuel for me usually looks like gas station food, something iced with caffeine, and a lot of water I did not drink soon enough.
On this day, I grabbed cash for the tire place, filled up, and rewarded myself with a quesadilla and a very cute iced drink. It looked better than it tasted, if we are being honest, but we tried. Then my stomach reminded me that Duncan coffee has its own plans for your schedule.
One thing about long drives: your body does not care about your ETA. If it needs a bathroom, it needs a bathroom. That sudden “code brown” moment on the highway was a reminder that stopping is not failure. Stopping is survival. You can be that girl with lip gloss, press-on nails in the Walgreens bag, and still sprint into a random gas station in full panic. Both can be true.
How I Keep A Seven Hour Drive From Feeling Like Seven Years
I drive between Florida and Georgia a lot, so I have a system now. Music is required, obviously, but I rotate through different things so my brain stays awake:
- Full albums front to back. Summer Walker, Lotto, whoever I am in the mood for that day.
- Saved TikToks that I only need to listen to. Motivational clips, storytimes, random funny stuff I saved during the week.
- Phone calls with my mom or my best friend. Catching up makes an hour disappear without you noticing.
- Podcasts when I need a break from music and people.
Another trick that changed the game for me: I wait a bit before my first coffee. If I chug an iced coffee right after waking up, it hits different than if I let my body wake up on its own for an hour. Now I drive for a bit first, then stop for coffee once I am already on the road. It feels like a mid-mission treat instead of a starting line requirement.
Storage Units, Boyfriend Hoodies, And Packing For Real Life
Before leaving town, I swung by my storage unit to pull fall clothes and a leather jacket. Florida me can throw on a tank top and call it a day. Georgia Halloween weekend me needs actual layers.
So there I was, standing in a storage unit, digging through old hoodies and bodysuits, planning outfits for pumpkin dates, double dates, and chill family time. The plan was simple: a few cute pieces from storage, a few basics from home, and anything I forget can be borrowed from my boyfriend’s closet.
It felt like a good summary of where I am in life. I am independent enough to handle my own car, trips, and errands. I am soft enough to still want my boyfriend’s hoodie when it gets cold.
Protected, Messy, And Still Learning
The more I looked at my car that week, the more grateful I felt. Bald tires, overdue oil changes in the past, a cracked windshield, and still no major accidents. That is grace. That is protection I did not earn, but I am very thankful for.
This vlog is not a “how to be a perfect adult driver” story. It is more of a “here is a girl who used to ignore the check engine light and now is slowly stepping up” story.
If you see yourself in any part of this, here is your gentle reminder:
- Take care of the car that carries your dreams.
- Call the shop even if you hate phone calls.
- Clean your space so your brain can breathe.
- Start late if you have to, then keep going anyway.
I am still going to be dramatic in my car, sing at the top of my lungs, and stop for press-ons and snacks. I am just doing it now with safe tires, a clean interior, and a little more wisdom each trip.
