We’ve all been there at some point or another in our lives – a dreaded morning commute to work that means we have to get up earlier in the morning than we’d like, get ready, and then sit in a car for what feels like forever, your engine idling and your mind wasting away to madness (or at least it feels like it). Gas prices going through the roof, more and more cars on the road every year, and the horrible smell and look of smog while you’re driving can make your morning commute a nightmare. But you don’t have to contribute to the mess and the toxicity! An eco-friendly commute is possible if you plan accordingly.
Public Transportation
Many people hear the word “bus” and have a little freakout – especially if you’re a single female who’s heard stories of really creepy people on their rides around town. But riding the bus usually isn’t all that creepy or weird. Especially with gas prices going up and people having to sell their cars, more and more people are riding the bus and other public transportation to get where they need to go. In fact, it’s a good way to get to know your city or town a little better, or read a book, or listen to some music to get you focused for your day, and the lull of the ride home is an opportunity to wind down a little before you get home. Your local bus line or light rail systems are built to get you around town, especially when you’re on a budget with crazy gas prices. And a 30-day pass is less expensive than what you’d pay in gas every month anyway!
Walking, Biking and Carpooling
Depending on how far you have to go to get to work, walking and biking are also feasible options. If you’re afraid of getting a little sweaty in your work clothes, pack a bag or backpack with your work clothes (by rolling them so they won’t get wrinkled!) so you can change when you get to work. And getting a little exercise is good for your body and mind.
Carpooling can sound like it’s a chore, but if you add a little creativity to it, it can be a much more enjoyable experience. Designate someone to maybe make coffee or have some morning pastries ready for your fellow travellers. Even start a book club in the car! Listen to audio tapes of books that you can talk about in the car on the ride to and from work. It’s something that’s different than talking about work, or snarking about co-workers, and it’s a way to leave work at work when you’re on the way home. (You can talk about the characters instead!)
Telecommuting
If you are lucky enough to work in a tech-savvy place that will let you do some work at home and telecommute, definitely take advantage of it! While working from home can definitely have its distractions (especially if you’re like me and have a little doggie who loves to try and sit on your lap while you’re writing helpful articles), working from home can be a good challenge to take on. Setting a To-Do list and making sure you schedule your time well in advance so you can effectively get work done can make you a telecommuting ninja! If you’re able to set aside one day a week where you can work from home, you’ll be saving money on gas while cutting down on emissions. Even consider walking to your nearest coffee shop to do your work if you’re worried about having the heat or air on while you’re working. You definitely want to keep an eye on your power bills!
What are your eco-friendly morning commute tips? Like us on Facebook and tell us about them!
Need more assistance in learning to let go of the consumer media’s impact on your life, take control of your finances and find the satisfaction of enough for today? The Get Satisfied Interactive Handbook is a 30-minute web course that walks you through a series of specific questions and then presents a personalized how-to plan for becoming a postconsumer. Launch your evaluation for free right now.
