Ca-Ching

It's that time of year again.

Ca-ching, ca-ching, hear it ring
Soon it will be safety-inspection day

For Nova Scotians, this magical day happens every two years.

Five years ago, my car and I met. She isn't fancy or terribly pretty. She's a gilver (not-quite silver, maybe gold) Toyota Corolla. From the day we met, our relationship was pretty solid. Don't get me wrong, there were hiccups here and there, like having to replace her engine and brakes. She's never been a fan of rain or humidity. But overall, she and I got along well. She took me to Newfoundland three times and  back twice - not bad for an old dame.

Unfortunately, Monday was the day things started to go down hill. A simple oil change ended in the realization my Toyota Corolla and I will finally be parting. The time has come, the Walrus said.

At first, thinking about the reality of living without a car, after five years with one, was disappointing. As minutes and hours have passed since Monday, though, I've come to realize a car is a habit. I've been in the habit of driving places I definitely don't have to drive. I will not pretend it's not going to be a little bit of a pain - especially in the winter. But I also have to remind myself I've been a car-less adult.

For about two years in Ottawa and a year in Halifax, I survived (imagine) without a vehicle. The sky didn't fall, and my friends and family didn't ditch me. I biked, walked, bused and used my best manners to occasionally ask for a lift.

This is all to say, living car-less will not mean not living.