Shifting Perspectives: Lessons from a Parking Space in Milan

On a recent trip to Milan, I witnessed a scene that made me stop and think; not just about parking, but about perspective.

We were driving through the city when I spotted a tiny gap between two parked cars. My immediate reaction was, “There’s no way you could fit a car in there.” Objectively, based on my own measurements and logic, it seemed impossible.

But as we approached, a driver pulled up to the space. We had to stop and wait while he began the slow, deliberate process of squeezing in, complete with a few gentle bumps to the car behind until he was in. Everyone in our car was giggling as we watched the whole performance unfold.

From my perspective, it couldn’t be done. From his, it could... and he proved himself right.

It got me wondering: how often do I decide something is “impossible” based purely on my own perspective? How often do I close a door in my mind before even trying to open it?

This is where the yoga philosophy comes in for me. Yoga isn’t just about stretching the body, it’s about stretching the mind. It’s about becoming aware of our own lenses, biases, and filters. Perhaps I was judging this driver’s parking skills through my own Western mindset, where “bumping” isn’t part of the process. But from his perspective, it was simply the way things are done.

It made me question:

• What else am I labelling as “impossible” because I can’t see a way forward?

• Am I allowing my own viewpoint to become a limitation?

• How would life feel if I stayed more open to other ways of approaching a challenge?

Sometimes, perspective isn’t about what’s “right” or “wrong”, it’s about remembering that the world is full of ways to make something work that we’ve never even considered.

So, the next time I feel boxed in, I might just remember that driver in Milan and give myself permission to find my own creative way to fit into the space.

What about you? When has someone else’s perspective opened your eyes to a new possibility?

Naomi ✨