If you're Lebanese or have visited Lebanon, then the struggle of getting stuck in traffic sounds all too familiar.
You've tried everything, googled how to escape this hell, and have come to a conclusion that this is your unavoidable fate.
If you happen to live in Jounieh but work in Beirut, then these 12 stages must be something you go through on a daily basis.
1. You start by taking a deep breath
You mentally prepare yourself to waste two hours of your life... hours you will never get back. But you just have to accept this fact and carry on with your day.
2. You put on that "stuck in traffic" playlist
It probably starts with motivating pop songs, then transitions to badass gangster rap, goes to angry death metal, and ends with slow, sad songs about death and tragedy.
3. You reminisce about your day
And wish you hadn’t eaten that shawarma with extra toum at lunch time. You’re going to be in your car for a while, that toum has consequences.
4. You WhatsApp call your best friend for a gossip session hoping you’ll kill time
She can’t believe he didn’t text you back immediately either!
5. An hour passes and you realize you're still around Charles Helou
You can do this, just hold on.
6. You open the emergency bag of snacks you always have on you
Because you knew this was going to happen and you need to eat your emotions.
7. You're by now questioning why you bought a house outside of Beirut
“That’s it. I’m moving to Beirut tomorrow. I can’t take this anymore.”
8. You realize you passed City Mall and a ray of hope sparks inside you
Nearly there... nearly there.
9. You reflect on your life and every decision you’ve ever made
Maybe you should have waited for sales before buying that $50 top.
10. You get hungry again
Drive Thru sounds like a good idea, but you’re conflicted because you really don’t want to spend more time on the road.
11. The slow, sad songs start and you just let go of the tears
You really have done nothing to deserve this torture.
12. You finally reach home
You eat, sleep, repeat.