# Best ways to use commute time saved by remote work for self-development?

Author Time Saver TomCategory[Personal Care & Style](https://jobicy.com/question-category/personal-care-and-style.md)Rating 👍 201 / 👎 122Asked on5 May 2025Last active27 Apr 2026Answers14 [Answer](#answer-form-container)

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## 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?

### 14 Answers

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![Ray](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Ray&background=random&size=42)
Ray [7 May 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-402.md)

Copy answer link Report answerdon't feel pressured to be 'productive' all the time! Use some of it to relax, pursue a hobby, or spend time with family. Reclaiming personal time *is* a form of self-development. Its okay to just enjoy not commuting.

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![Planner Paula](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Planner+Paula&background=random&size=42)
Planner Paula [5 May 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-400.md)    Copy answer link Report answerSchedule it like any other appointment! Block out 30-60 minutes before or after your 'workday' specifically for learning. Online courses, reading industry articles, listening to educational podcasts, practicing a skill...

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![Fit Fred](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Fit+Fred&background=random&size=42)
Fit Fred [6 May 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-401.md)    Copy answer link Report answerUse it for physical activity! Exercise is crucial for mental and physical health, especially when you're less active working from home. A morning workout or an evening walk can make a huge difference to your focus and well-being.

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![Anonymous](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Anonymous&background=random&size=42)
Anonymous [31 May 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-2469.md)    Copy answer link Report answerEver 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?

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![Hobby Henry](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Hobby+Henry&background=random&size=42)
Hobby Henry [8 May 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-403.md)    Copy answer link Report answeri started learning guitar! always wanted to but never had the time before. having that extra hour makes hobbies possible 😊

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![Anonymous](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Anonymous&background=random&size=42)
Anonymous [2 Nov 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-4109.md)    Copy answer link Report answerWhen 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.

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![N. P.](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=N.+P.&background=random&size=42)
N. P. [3 Aug 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-1189.md)    Copy answer link Report answerYou 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.

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Louis Howard: 🙌 That ritual sounds FIRE 🔥 totally ditching doomscroll for something actually productive. Gonna try that inbox purge tonight! 😎📈 Report
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! Report

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![Louis Curtis](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Louis+Curtis&background=random&size=42)
Louis Curtis [27 Apr 2026](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-7350.md)    Copy answer link Report answerStop forcing full 90-minute blocks; split into 3 × 30 mins: morning for active learning (podcast, language app), midday for physical movement (stretch/walk), evening for creative/reflective tasks (journaling or side projects). Set strict device limits to beat scroll temptation.

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![Anonymous](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Anonymous&background=random&size=42)
Anonymous [19 Dec 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-5218.md)    Copy answer link Report answerYes, 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.

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![C. S.](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=C.+S.&background=random&size=42)
C. S. [22 Oct 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-3724.md)    Copy answer link Report answerAlright, 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.

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![Anonymous](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Anonymous&background=random&size=42)
Anonymous [9 Oct 2025](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-3378.md)    Copy answer link Report answerIt'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

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![A. C.](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=A.+C.&background=random&size=42)
A. C. [17 Jan 2026](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-6040.md)    Copy answer link Report answerNo, 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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![L. B.](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=L.+B.&background=random&size=42)
L. B. [14 Mar 2026](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-6825.md)    Copy answer link Report answerTotally feel you—suddenly having 90 extra minutes and not wanting to waste it scrolling is a weird adjustment. Maybe split it up? Like 20 mins of learning with podcasts or language apps during the morning, then 30 mins for a quick workout or walk to shake off those Zoom brain feels, and finally, spend 15 minutes journaling or planning your day. Fwiw, keep your phone on Do Not Disturb so random scroll binges don’t suck you in. Over time, these small chunks add up big time without burning you out trying to do *everything* at once.

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![Anonymous](https://ui-avatars.com/api/?format=svg&name=Anonymous&background=random&size=42)
Anonymous [6 Mar 2026](https://jobicy.com/q/1746441000-best-ways-to-use-commute-time-saved-by-remote-work-for-self-development#answer-6502.md)    Copy answer link Report answerhonestly, maybe don’t think of that saved comm time as gotta-be-productive time all the time? like your brain might still miss that “buffer” between home and work, so try experimenting with just chilling, stretching, or even daydreaming a bit before jumping into stuff. if you feel stuck scrolling, set some tiny low-key goals for learning – like listening to chill podcasts instead of doomscrolling. sometimes sel-fdev isn’t about grinding hard but finding balance so you don’t burn out faster at home

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