💬 Someone took my usual bus seat and my whole morning felt off

I take the 7:48 bus to work in Dallas. For 3 years I've sat in the same seat. Third row, window, left. It's not a great seat. There's no leg room and the window rattles whenever we cross the bridge. But it's mine. I get on, put my bag on my knees, put my earphones in, and I'm ready for the day. Last Wednesday a man in a grey jacket was sitting in it when I got on. I just stood there. I stood in the aisle for 3 stops, holding the rail. Then somebody got off and I took a different seat. It was a worse seat. Facing sideways, near the back door, with a draught coming in on my neck. I couldn't settle. The route looked different from that side, even though it was exactly the same road. By the time I got to the office I was in a bad mood, and I had no reason to be. I snapped at a colleague about a spreadsheet. I'm usually the calmest person in my team. At lunch I thought about it and I felt ridiculous. All of that because of a seat? But it wasn't the seat, it was the order of the morning. Everything had to start the same way. When it didn't, the whole day stayed a little bit crooked until I got home. The next day he was in it again. I sat behind him and stared at the back of his head. Friday I got on the previous stop, 1 stop early, and took my seat before he had a chance. I felt childish. I also felt wonderful. I gave him a small nod as he got on and he looked confused. He sat across the aisle without saying a word. I think he's figured it out now. Does anyone else have a spot like this? On a bus, a train, at a desk, in a masjid? My father has a place on the sofa that nobody is allowed to sit on, even when he's out. I never understood it as a kid. Now I'm slowly turning into him, which is a bit worrying. Anyway, I'm in my seat today. 7:48, third row. Everything is right with the world.

The window rattling over the bridge and you still miss that seat, that says a lot about routines. I had the same thing with a desk by the window at my first job. A new joiner took it and I spent the day typing like a guest. The grey jacket man will probably move on by Friday. Did you get your seat back the next morning?

Same on the metro. I have a spot by the left door near the map, and I head for it without thinking. Last week a college boy was standing there. I stood 1 metre away and felt strange for 6 stations. Got to the office and my whole morning felt slightly wrong. Spilled my tea by 10. Next day he was there again. I've started getting the earlier train.