Round Abouts Parallel Life

Is this post going ahead? Maybe? Maybe not? What should the topic be? Round abouts, round about where?

Yes, roundabouts.

Sounds like a moment of indecision, doesn’t it?

This post will cover where roundabouts came from, what they do for traffic, and how the roundabout is like life.

Finally, the post will sum up how to move forwards when you feel that you’re stuck going in circles.

Origin of Roundabouts

Let’s start with some interesting facts about roundabouts.

Not all countries like them!

Roundabouts are commonly found throughout Europe, as Katharina Buchholz found in a 2020 post, read more statistics about that here.

Head over to Australia and you’ll find a strong use of roundabouts, yet fewer findings in the USA.

The most interesting factor of roundabouts is despite their common use in other parts of the world, the concept originated in the USA by Pierre L’Enfant an architect and engineer. Likewise, the roundabout was first called: traffic circles by engineers. A way to move the traffic in circles.

Sounds counterproductive right? We want the traffic to move forward – not circle round and round our theme here!

Rules for Roundabout Use

Think of the roundabout as a giant windmill or a wheel. It will only allow traffic to go in one direction. In Europe and Australia, the flow is from the right or clockwise. When entering a roundabout, by law you must make sure no one is coming towards you from the right-hand side. If it is clear, then you may enter.

The reverse is true for the USA roads. Traffic will only flow in a counter-clockwise direction.

To leave the roundabout, you need to indicate your exit. Although there are some additional rules around this, both soft and hard rules.

In the last post, soft and hard rules were covered.

Some important rules on any roundabout include:

• Use caution when entering the roundabout.
• Do not stop.
• Do not change lanes.
• Use an indicator to tell others where you are headed.
• Avoid driving next to large or oversized vehicles.

For more information on roundabout use check out an Australian reference here, and a USA video option here.

Parallels to Life

Life is known for its ebb and flow, or as mountains and valleys, or the good times, and the rough times. Now you can think of life as a roundabout.

You can always tell a tourist when they’re on a roundabout. They circle and circle the middle, with a passenger almost out the window trying to eye the signs and tell the driver which exit they need. At least was the case before GPS.

Unless they are marveling the sheer brilliance of Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid, Spain. One of the top 10 largest roundabouts in the world. Iconic to many movie sets, this is a roundabout to purposefully circle. See below.

But sometimes that tourist car has wound up in the innermost lane. Circling, around and around. Other traffic is in the way. Frantic to escape the roundabout of doom, but how?

At times life is the same.

Go back to the last time you felt stuck or lost. Were you in a place where family, friends, associates, loved ones, and even random others were throwing advice at you? This is common for new mothers; advice comes from every direction!

At first, the information and advice may be good. Giving a sense of direction, even purpose. But then it kept coming. Contradicting itself. You wound up confused, baffled, and unsure.

What’s the point of it anyway? You question.

Yes, life can be like the roundabout.

Power of the Inside Lane

But wait! You may feel as though you are caught in the middle of the roundabout like a vortex has swallowed you whole.

Don’t let your stress overwhelm you.

Quiet the noise of the ongoing traffic – that is those who continue to give advice. And realize the inner lane is the power lane.

The inner lane of the roundabout is the only lane that can access any exit.

Sure, you’ve gone around for your 50^th lap.

Yes, being unsure lacks clarity.

But you’re at the point where you realize all that advice is not helping.

Now go back to your personal roundabout – your own situation and navigate with clarity. You can make the decision. The one only you can make, not other road users, only you. You’ve heard the advice, cringed at the unlikeliness of following some pieces of advice, and narrowed down to the one you know you need to follow.

Some may have recommended the first exit, some may have said take the last exit, some may even have placed bets on which you’ll take. Who cares about those gamblers! You take the exit that you have suddenly realized is the ONLY option for you.

And presto – you are off the roundabout. You are in the clear not lost.

Circles move forwards

Above we covered the origin of roundabouts, how they are used, and how they relate to our lives.

As your key takeaways remember:

• The direction can only go one way.
• If the advice doesn’t suit you, ignore it.
• As smoothly as you navigate the roundabout, you can navigate your life.
• The inside lane is the power lane.
• You can move forwards from any place!