Solo Side Quest: Taking The Less Predicted Route

For today’s post, I want to share something that happened to me today. I think this story will be a good reminder for us to be open to new things and to try them. Taking an unusual road might take longer or less time than predicted, but it could also lead to even better results.

For Context

I am an INFJ – so I do love planning for stuff. I don’t like being late or being unprepared, especially if it’s related to other people. I don’t like wasting someone else’s time. However, I do become more impulsive and laid back when it’s just for my own sake. For instance, during my solo trip, I will roughly plan my route and destination but have no fixed schedule, because I believe I will encounter more interesting things.

So today I had to go back from a mall, and usually I take the bus and transfer to another bus on Darmo Street. But when I wait at the bus stop, I have the sudden urge to try another public transportation option, namely Wira-Wiri. Which stop by before the bus (even though I know the bus is already close by). I then asked whether it’s possible to ride that to my destination, and the answer was yes, although I have to transfer at a different point than the original (from Darmo Street to Marmoyo Street). For context: I have never taken the wira wiri before, so I didn’t know the route – whether it’s faster or not but for the sake of trying new things (and I was not in a rush anyway), so why not?

To Go With the Flow

When I first got in, I was confused because it went completely the other way. Then I got an idea to compare my arrival time with the bus I was supposed to ride. I checked the bus number on the application tracking. Conducting small-scale research like this is important because it lets us develop alternatives based on real-life experience hihihi.

After quite some time, I then realised that it actually takes a better route and is less crowded than the one I usually take by bus. On top of that, it turns out there was a demonstration in certain locations, which making the second bus I was supposed to take on Darmo Street did not stop there. Meaning that if I were to take the first bus, I wouldn’t be able to catch the second bus on Darmo Street! What an amazing revelation, right?!

Believe in Yourself

On my previous solo side quest post, I mentioned that doing things alone makes me gain myself. This is what I meant. I am sure in making decisions on my own and fully accounting for them. My mom never really forbade me from doing things – she’ll just say to not regret my own decision or to not complain about them. I was given the chance to learn about that since junior high.

Of course, I will always consult with my mom for big decisions and stuff, but for trying new things like going on a hike, joining an organisation, and being in a committee, I went all in because I got permission. With that much freedom, slowly, I get to decide which things I like, that I enjoy and when to stop, etc.

This story might not be an important example. I know this is a very silly experience. But I believe that making decisions about the smallest/menial things like this is an important practice for us, preparing us for the big decisions. In addition to that, I believe that God is protecting me – making sure I arrive safely at home, even faster than usual. And I am thankful for that.