What Exiting a Packed Subway Reminded Me About Life

Today, as is common on the Beijing subway and many subways around the world, there were lots of passengers. So in order to reach the door and exit at my station, I had to really push through the crowd. All good, no issues, just another day on the subway.

But it reminded me of how different it was for me when I first arrived in Beijing.

Busy subways weren’t anything new to me. I grew up in Toronto, and the subway there was often busy too, but typically not as busy as it gets in Beijing.

Anyway, soon after I arrived in Beijing, I’m on the subway, glance up and I see my exit is a couple of stops away, no worries, it’s not too busy. I’m standing in a good spot to exit. I go back to playing on my phone.

Next thing you know, we reach the stop before mine. A transfer stop. People pile on, and I’m pushed backwards to the door on the opposite side.

Oh oh.  How will I make it back across to the door in time?

The train leaves the station, my palms get sweaty, I start practicing in my head how to say “I’m exiting” in Chinese. Take deep breaths.

The train keeps moving, but I stay still. Maybe it's the Canadian upbringing, but I didn't want to upset anyone, I was too afraid to push through. 

So I missed my stop. Took a couple of more stops for me to finally exit the train.

But that was then.

These days, I exit busy subways without any issues. 

Why? I learned that sometimes in order to grow or to reach your goals, you need to do things that may be uncomfortable for you.

So I just push gently through the crowd. Maybe I accidentally step on someone’s foot along the way. It’s ok.

If you wait for the perfect time to try to reach your goal, or for people to clear the way for you, you may never reach it.