Stay in your lane

Blog post by Sean whom would like to stay anonymous.

I’ve always believed that if something doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. Living with bipolar disorder might seem like a weakness to some, but I see it as a strength—it heightens my awareness and other senses in ways many people might not understand.

That said, I sometimes struggle with discerning right from wrong, and it can weigh heavily on my mind. Over the past year and a half, I’ve been working with a psychologist, and we’ve had some insightful conversations. One that really stuck with me was about handling frustrations, like the chaos of Beltline traffic. He shared a piece of advice that resonated deeply: when drivers zoom by at 85 or 95 mph, creating road rage all around, the best thing to do is move into the right lane and let them pass. Don’t engage, don’t get involved—just let them have their moment of chaos.

That simple tip turned into a broader life lesson for me: in stressful situations, stay in your lane. Focus on what you can control, and let others handle their own chaos. It’s made a big difference in how I approach challenges.

Right now, times are tough financially. My workplace recently downgraded us, essentially a pay cut just before the holidays. This happened even after we achieved a major milestone last year, billing over a billion dollars—a first in in our workplace history. It’s disheartening, but whether it’s the federal government, politics, or other external factors, I’ve learned to focus on what I can control.

I may not have extra resources to contribute to organizations right now, but I can still focus on doing my best, staying in my lane, and finding peace where I can. That’s the lesson I’ll carry forward—life will have its crazy drivers, but I don’t need to be one of them.