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Commuting: Taking it in Your Stride

‘Travelling. It leaves you speechless. Then turns you into a storyteller.’ – Ibn Battuta

Like any journey, journeys to and from work are times of transition. And in times of transition, your mind is likely to be either projecting into the future (you are, after all, going somewhere) or dwelling on what you've just left behind.

Maybe you see your daily commute as a time between other obligations, when what you have left at work has stayed at work and you haven't yet become immersed in home activities. Your commute may be the one part of the day when you can disconnect, a perfect time to spend time listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks.

Or perhaps you see it as a stressful waste of your time, particularly when unexpected delays, interruptions and cancellations occur due to weather, ‘technical difficulties’, strikes or other reasons beyond your control.

The lack of information and uncertainty make you anxious, which makes the wait seem longer. You're powerless. It feels unfair and you start getting wound up – even angry. And yet, delays and cancellations are inevitable – this is the reality of travel.

How to remain calm, patient and flexible so that you can take commuting and any delays in your stride? A mindful approach can help you to keep your cool until you get on your way again.

Reframing the way you view the trip can turn your commute from a daily source of stress into a peaceful time to yourself between the demands of work and home.

In Practice

‘Wherever you go, go with all your heart.’ – Confucius

If you're driving, drive mindfully. Feel the movement of the steering wheel in your hands. Feel your feet on the pedals. Notice the sound as you change gear. Check the mirrors and notice details about the road ahead to stay involved in the world around you.

Leave plenty of time. That way, if you are delayed, you can minimize the stress of running late. And if you end up arriving early, you can spend the extra time doing something mindful.

Delays are inevitable. You know that. So plan for them. On a train or bus, read or listen to music. Take a short break in between chapters or tracks to look out the window and notice the passing scene. Notice the rhythm and gentle sway of the train.

If you get caught up in a delay, once you have accepted that the delay has happened and there's nothing you can do to change that, you can focus on what you are able to control. You can, for example, phone ahead and let others know you'll be late. Maybe you could ask for someone to pick you up at the other end when you arrive or plan to get a taxi for the last part of your journey.

Remind yourself that getting stressed or anxious won't change things for the better. Spend your time and effort on staying calm. Breathe. On a delayed, crowded bus or train, this can give you a sense of space. Be patient. Things will unfold in their own time. Remind yourself that this too will pass.

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Table of Contents for 35. Commuting: Taking it in Your Stride

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Table of Contents for
35. Commuting: Taking it in Your Stride