The “Passengers on the Bus” metaphor by Hayes and colleagues (1999) is a powerful way to understand the core skill of acceptance in psychological flexibility training. It involves imagining you’re the driver of a bus, and your passengers are all your thoughts, feelings, and memories you carry with you. Some are loud sometimes, scary, and unpleasant. Others are quiet and a joy to have around. The scary passengers sometimes tell you where to go, what to do, or demand your attention. But no matter what they say, you remain the driver and decide the direction of your life. The video below illustrates acknowledging these scary passengers without letting them control your choices, helping you focus on what truly matters.
References
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.