Making the Most of Your Daily Commute

We often hear ourselves lamenting about our commutes—calling them a “pain,” a “nightmare,” and, indeed, a long one at that. Recent data by The Economic Times paints a vivid picture: the average Indian spent 59 minutes commuting one way to work in 2023!

In the US, thats 52 minutes a day, while Britishers endure an 139 hours a year stuck in traffic. Cities like Beijing and Tokyo tell a similar tale, with millions of people spending significant portions of their lives just getting to and from work.

However, commuting wasn't always like this. It has evolved from simple strolls to today’s congested commutes and discover how to transform this daily grind into something... well, maybe not a joyride, but certainly less soul-crushing!

From Farms to Factories: The Rise of the Commuter

Before the Industrial Revolution, commute meant simply walking from your home to your shop, workshop, or field. Simple! That was the reality for most people in largely agrarian societies, where work and home were often together in small, cozy villages. But then came the factories, more jobs and people flocked to cities for a shot at a new life.

As cities grew, people lived farther from the centre, giving birth to "commuter suburbs." These residential areas on the outskirts required people to commute to the main city.

The Age of Innovation: When Horses Ruled the Streets

Early commutes weren't easy. Initially, people walked for 30 minutes or even used a horse. Then came the ingenious omnibus in 1828 —a horse-drawn carriage that could ferry multiple passengers. This was followed by the horse-drawn streetcar, a horseless version that ran on tracks.

The late 1800s saw the rise of the elevated railroad snaking its way through cities. While noisy and not exactly scenic, it offered a faster and more reliable way to get around. Finally, the early 1900s saw the arrival of the beloved (and sometimes crowded) subway in cities like Boston, London, and Tokyo. These underground marvels transformed urban transportation, significantly reducing travel times.

The 20th Century: Cars, Convenience, and Congestion

The 20th century brought a revolution on wheels—the automobile. As cars became accessible, they provided freedom, flexibility, and the ability to listen to your favourite music! But with this freedom came a nasty side effect: traffic congestion.

As affordability and the convenience of loans increased, more and more people started buying their own cars, leading to monstrous traffic jams that could pile up from 10 minutes to an hour. Cities scrambled to keep up, building highways and expanding public transport systems. Asia saw the rise of Japan's bullet trains, while vast metro networks in China and India attempted to manage the ever-growing need for urban transportation.

Working through the Pandemic

Then came the plot twist that changed everything—the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and remote work transformed the daily routine for many. Commutes vanished, and people discovered they had more time, less stress, and better work-life balance by working from home.

As offices reopened, many embraced hybrid work models. There were expectations that with this move, the commute time would lessen. But with people choosing different days and times to go to the office, infrastructure construction, and metro work going on in cities, the commute time remained the same. A dark cloud that carries us to the office and back…

But there’s a silver lining:

For many of us, commuting is not a choice but a necessity. However, there can be a silver lining in these clouds. The way we see it, it can be your free “ME TIME”—a period away from the demands of home and office, where you can be in your bubble and do anything you want!

If you're unsure what you can do, here are some ways to elevate your experience:

1. Power Up for Productivity: Commutes can be mini-planning sessions. Research shows that planning the workday ahead makes British and American workers feel more prepared and content at their jobs. Even if you're not a natural organiser, dedicating some commute time to strategising your tasks can make a big difference.
2. Find Your Escape Pod: Craft your own "pocket of freedom" during your commute. Dive into music, podcasts, audiobooks, or learn something new. It can even be a guilty pleasure of watching a Netflix episode every day, making you look forward to it, rather than dreading it!
3. Connect and Reflect: We all have a list of missed calls in our phone, or calls that we have cut saying, “I’ll call you right back!” and not really doing it. You can use your commute time to reconnect with your loved ones and make them happy!

Commutes can be tough, but they can also be productive. With a mindset shift, a dash of planning, and a sprinkle of personal pleasure, you can transform your commute into a more positive experience.

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