Sometimes, You Just Gotta Drive: The Therapeutic Journey on Open Roads

Matt Ryan Allen
4 min readMay 11, 2023

There’s something inherently freeing about the open road. Just you, your car, the road stretching out ahead of you, and your thoughts. No destination, no expectations, no stress. Just the gentle hum of the engine, the smooth asphalt beneath your tires, and the vast expanse of the world around you. This is a common sentiment for many Southern Californians who often find themselves driving as a form of therapy.

When life becomes overwhelming, and the weight of the world seems too much to bear, many of us turn to therapy. But what if you can’t afford a therapist? What if, instead of a professional’s office, all you need is a few gallons of gas and the rolling panorama of Southern California’s diverse landscapes?

Imagine this: you slip into your vehicle, turn the key, and the engine roars to life. You don’t have a particular destination in mind, but that’s not important. You’re not driving to reach somewhere; you’re driving to let go, to unshackle your thoughts, and to find tranquility amidst the chaos of life.

Driving aimlessly through the diverse topography of Southern California can be a surprisingly effective form of self-therapy. The vast array of landscapes offers an assortment of backdrops that can complement your shifting moods. Some days, you might find solace in the…

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Matt Ryan Allen

Matt R. Allen is a screenwriter, producer and amateur futurist living in Los Angeles. He's best known for the comedies, Four Christmases and Block Party..