DIVERGENT CORNER

So I’d informed this taxi company that I was planning to become a taxi driver. They told me to contact them once I had obtained my licence so we could discuss what options are there for me. When I eventually got the licence, I went to meet them to have a chat. Just to get a general idea about how this thing works. I imagined I’d have a period of supernumerary, so I could observe and familiarise myself with what I was supposed to be doing.

Well, long story short, when I got there someone asked what type of driving licence I had. I said “Manual.” Apparently that was enough information. They handed me car keys. Then they handed me a car. Another guy appeared, helped me install the iCabbi app on my phone, showed me a few things on the screen, and then, essentially, said that’s it!” And I stood there thinking WOOOOOW Hold on, What do you mean that’s it? I don’t even know if I wanted or if I could do this this yet, I needed time to transition from a wannabe taxi driver to actually doing it. Apparently the transition was simply a car key. I was terrified. I like to think I am a brave person small but this was a whole new level. Seemed to equires a different kinds of courage.

For almost a week, I did absolutely nothing. The company eventually started wondering whether I was actually going to work. They were losing money with the car just sitting there in my driveway and I couldn’t really blame them. They were were actually coming to collect the car back cos it would seem I wasn’t serious. Then, when I finally gathered enough courage to start, my new bank card wouldn’t work meaning I couldn’t fuel the car for another day. Life has a strange sense of humour.But somehow, four weeks later, here I am. Writing about it. Reporting on it. Doing the job. And, dare I say, looking increasingly like I know what I’m doing. The strange thing is that the hardest part wasn’t driving. It was crossing the line between I don’t know how to do this and I’m going to do it anyway. There is something humbling about being thrown into a completely unfamiliar world. Four weeks ago, I was staring at a car key wondering what I had gottem myself into, today, well, today is progress.

I have never been more proud of myself 🤣🤣🤣