The Art of Patience: Lessons from an EV Charging Adventure in Freezing Cold
Dropping my son off at college was supposed to be a straightforward trip. I had planned ahead—fully charging my Rivian to 100% before setting off. By the time I reached Ithaca, I was down to about 15%, but no worries—I had a plan.
Then, the plan fell apart.
The fast charger I intended to use didn’t work (shoutout to EV Connect for the letdown). No big deal—I had a backup plan. Except my backup plan was a ChargePoint charger trickling out a meager 2-13 miles per hour. Not ideal, but enough to get me to another fast charger.
And then the real kicker—it was 16°F, with a RealFeel of -2°F.
Surviving the Cold, Literally and Figuratively
At those temperatures, standing outside to troubleshoot a charger is not fun. But when my iPhone app refused to activate the ChargePoint charger, I had no choice but to problem-solve—fast.
Just as I was contemplating my options, a woman charging her Tesla saw my situation and graciously used her phone to activate the charger for me. Even though it meant she wouldn’t be able to charge her own car at that moment, she helped without hesitation. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!
After four hours of slow charging and a gain of 33 miles, I finally made it to a fast charger, thawed out, and continued my journey.
The Easy Takeaway vs. The Real Lesson
It would be easy to hear this story and conclude, “This is why I’ll never buy an EV” or “EV charging is a nightmare”—both reactions I’ve heard before. But that’s the easy track. Let’s take the harder, more valuable road instead.
This experience was a lesson in patience, adaptability, and gratitude—things we don’t just need for road trips, but for life in general.
1. Patience Isn’t Passive—It’s a Skill
There was nothing I could do to speed up the ChargePoint charger or force the fast charger to work. Getting frustrated wouldn’t have changed anything. Instead, I had to focus on what I could control—finding alternatives, making the most of what I had, and trusting that I’d get where I needed to go.
In business, relationships, and life, patience isn’t about just sitting still—it’s about actively managing your mindset when things don’t go your way.
2. Adaptability Is the Real Superpower
Things won’t always go as planned. The key is being flexible enough to adjust without panicking. The best leaders, problem solvers, and innovators aren’t the ones with perfect plans—they’re the ones who can pivot without losing their cool.
3. Frustration is a Choice
It would have been easy to spiral into anger, blame, or panic. But what good would that have done? Instead, I chose to stay level-headed and focus on solutions.
When something goes wrong, we can choose to let frustration take over, or we can shift our energy toward figuring it out.
4. The Kindness of Strangers is a Game-Changer
This story could have gone much worse if not for one person who decided to help. Her small act of generosity changed everything.
We often talk about self-sufficiency, but the truth is—we’re all interconnected. A little kindness, given or received, can make a huge impact.
5. Surviving the Elements is a Mental Game Too
Extreme cold doesn’t just test your body—it tests your mind. When it’s -2°F outside, it’s easy to let frustration and discomfort take over. But staying calm is just as important as staying warm.
Final Thoughts: The Road is a Metaphor
Driving an EV means dealing with unpredictability—chargers that don’t work, slow alternatives, and unexpected roadblocks. But isn’t that just life?
Things won’t always go as planned. But if we stay patient, adaptable, and open to help from others, we’ll always find a way forward.
Next time something doesn’t go your way, take a deep breath and remind yourself—you’ll get there.