Nobody wakes up on a good day and thinks, You know what would really elevate my mood? This place. These are the locations you end up in when something in life has really gone wrong, the day is cracked, or you’re just plain over it all.

At the top of the list are auto part stores. You’re not there because you’re some kind of car person. You’re there because a light came on on your dashboard, and now you’re Googling symptoms like it’s WebMD. You’re going to leave poorer, more confused, and probably still very worried about that weird grinding noise.

Photo by Haotian Zheng on Unsplash

Another good one is urgent care. You aren’t sick enough for the ER, but you’re too uncomfortable to ignore that weird rash on your butt. You’ll sit in the chair (carefully), scroll your phone quietly, and convince yourself you’re fine even though you know full well you shouldn’t have eaten raspberries.

Photo by Abby Anaday on Unsplash

What about Walmart after dark? It deserves its own category. You aren’t shopping. You’re just surviving, at this point. The lighting is harsh, the vibes are totally off, but everyone inside seems to be on a similar wavelength, something dubbed “defeated but determined.”

Photo by KDavid Montero on Unsplash

Oh, and let’s not forget those random parking lots. You don’t plan to stop at them, but when you need a place to sit, breathe, and drop a few tears, they come in clutch. We’ve got a ton of parking lots that are perfect for dissociating.

Photo by Chris Mok || @cr.mok on Unsplash

The post office has to show up on this list as well, because you’re usually only there when something important didn’t arrive or was sent back for some reason. You’re going to leave with more questions than answers. I’m sorry. It’s just the way it works.

Read More: Unique Wisdom From Lubbock: What To Avoid In Daily Life

Photo by Philippe Murray-Pietsch on Unsplash

Last but not least, the gas station. You’ve been there a million times, and it isn’t always for gas. Most of the time, it’s actually for a little snack and a reset. The day has already gone sideways. Why not throw a bag of corn nuts in the mix? Could be exactly what you need.

Photo by Hans Eiskonen on Unsplash

The thing about Lubbock is that it gives us space to have a bad day without an audience. None of these places are glamorous, but they are honest, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

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