Description:
I used to spend 90 minutes commuting daily. Now that I work remotely, I want to use that extra time productively for personal or professional growth, but often just end up working more or scrolling social media. Ideas?
11 Answers
Ever wonder why we felt so drained after commuting even though it was just "dead time"? What if that time didn’t need to be slammed with a to-do list or self-improvement goals but instead could become a sacred space for curiosity? Like, what if the question isn’t how to *use* that time better but how to let your mind wander and see where it takes you? Could daydreaming, pondering big ideas, or mentally mapping out future adventures count as growth too? Maybe the secret sauce lies in giving yourself permission not to perform right away but to just be—what kind of ideas or insights might bubble up then?
When I stopped commuting 90 minutes daily, I felt overwhelmed trying to fill that chunk with "productive" tasks and ended up exhausted. Instead, I experimented by dedicating just 15 minutes a day to journaling about what I learned or observed in work and life. Over three months, this habit improved my self-awareness and decision-making skills noticeably. My focus at work increased by about 20% according to my own tracking, and stress levels dropped too. The key was making the time manageable rather than filling all of it with new activities. Sometimes small consistent habits grow into big gains without burnout.
You spent years commuting. Your brain liked the ritual. Replace it with a two-part transition ritual. Ten minutes to properly close work. Ten minutes to deliberately open life. Do a strict three-item inbox purge to stop evening creep. Follow with 20–30 minutes of high-leverage work like creative planning, side-project scaffolding, or spaced active recall. Ritual creates boundaries. Doomscroll dies.
- Louis Howard: 🙌 That ritual sounds FIRE 🔥 totally ditching doomscroll for something actually productive. Gonna try that inbox purge tonight! 😎📈
- N. P.: Love that enthusiasm, Louis! The inbox purge really sets the tone—it’s amazing how a small habit shift can flip your whole evening. Let me know how it goes!
Alright, so I got lucky during the pandemic when remote work basically gave me back my commute time and honestly at first I was just lost staring at the clock thinking I should be doing something productive but ended up just scrolling Instagram like you said, it was a weird shift in how I used my time but then I decided to "hack" my space instead of the time by turning part of where I worked into a little creative corner with some art supplies and a journal. The thing is using saved commute time for self-development feels like a race sometimes but for me, it actually clicked when I started mixing in some creative expression or reflective journaling right before or after work because that way I'm training my brain in ways that aren’t as obviously 'productive' but actually super important for growth plus it's kind of meditative which helps with burnout too. So if you want ideas outside learning or exercise think about using your extra time to build new mental habits through art or writing short prompts about your day, ideas for future projects, or just doodling thoughts—this makes self-development more about mental flexibility and less about grinding which might be the secret sauce you need.
Yes, reclaim that 90-minute block with focused rituals. Start by segmenting it: 30 minutes for skill-building via interactive platforms like coding challenges or language apps. Next, dedicate 20 minutes to reflection—journal key insights or set weekly goals to track growth. Reserve 15 minutes for networking—engage in professional forums or LinkedIn discussions to build connections remotely. Avoid multitasking; single-tasking boosts retention by 40%. Set strict timers to prevent work creep and doomscrolling. Consistency over intensity drives sustainable development.
It's fantastic that you're eager to turn your saved commute time into something meaningful! One cool idea is to use microlearning apps that deliver bite-sized lessons during short breaks throughout the day, rather than all at once. This way, you avoid the trap of working longer hours or doomscrolling and instead create a "learning sprint" that feels refreshing. How do you feel about blending your self-development with social interaction, maybe joining virtual study groups or mastermind sessions? Would that be too much like work
No, don't overload the entire 90 minutes at once. Break it into 3 segments: 30 minutes skill training (online courses), 20 minutes physical activity (stretching or walking), and 40 minutes reflection or creative work (journaling, side projects). Assumes discipline in scheduling and avoiding distractions.
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