Ways To Win Your Commute

Because screaming at that jerk in the Tesla can only take you so far

Everyone knows that commuting to work, especially if you have to drive, is basically a modern hellscape. I mean, who wants to sit by themselves, for an hour or more, in a metal death trap, while surrounded by thousands of other lonely and angry people? No one, that's who. We're social, easily bored creatures. Luckily, we live in the modern world, and are no longer doomed to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic while listening to "Blank Space" for the umpteenth time (honestly, do radio stations have a list of 10 approved songs??). Here are a few ways to take your commute from "Dear God get me out of here" to "This is kind of ok."

Podcasts

Guys, until I started driving 90 minutes+ to work everyday, I too thought podcasts were for boring people in their 40s. But then I saw the light, and now have a full docket of podcasts to suit my every mood. It alleviates the boredom of being alone in the car and sometimes actually teaches me something useful (looking at you Ted Radio Hour.)

A few of other faves:

The Read

Lawwwd this is so funny. YouTuber and blogger Kid Fury and writer Crissle pair up for a this hysterical, no-filter pop-culture themed show. Tune in if you need a much needed dose of realness, blackness, or if you love Rihanna.

For Colored Nerds

Howard grads Brittany and Eric lead weekly thoughtful discussions about black arts, culture, and politics. As the title suggests, it's a pretty intellectual show, but the two of them have such comfortable, funny rapport that you feel like you're chillin' with your college friends rather than sitting in a lecture.

Bon Appetit Podcast

Even though it's a little pretentious and filled mainly with ideas you'll never feel confident enough to pursue (let's be real, you're not actually going to braise anything), it's somehow deeply satisfying to hear people talk so passionately about food.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The name is pretty self explanatory. This unabashedly kind-hearted NPR podcast is a nice foil to the constant snark in a lot of similar content. They talk about everything from Empire to Taylor Swift and provide a nice range of commentators

The Rachel Maddow Show Podcast

For when you feel like being an informed adult, which is important, I guess.

Audiobooks

Via flavorwire.com

This is another one I realllly thought was just for old people. It conjures up ideas of books on tape (lol, tape.) But since you can't read and drive (unless you have one of these), audiobooks might be the next best thing.

Spotify Classics

Guys. Don't sleep on Spotify. With a premium account you can use the app ad-free on your phone, an investment that is well-worth it for us weekend warriors. Not only can you create custom playlists or listen to their bomb pre-made ones (the rotating #tbt playlist is FIRE), but Spotify also has a wide selection of lectures, stand-up, speeches, and audiobooks of classic literature.

I particularly loved listening to Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days (Un-Abridged). For a book usually relegated to the "boring old British lit" section of many people's mental book shelves, I found it surprisingly funny, wry, and (usually) fast-paced.

Audible Freebies

I can't really justify shelling out $15+ for a book I can't hold in my hands, but Audible has a fair selection of free new and classic books. Plus, if you sign up for a 30-day trial, you get your first book free. A fun, quirky, and short one to try is Legion by Brandon Sanderson.

LibriVox

This is a constantly growing database of public domain audiobooks recorded by volunteers. Crowdsourcing at its best!

Get Methodical

David Paul Morris / Getty Images

One of the most tragic and frustrating things about commuting is the traffic. Find an app that works for you. Try different routes. Learn to treat commuting like an experiment, with hitting the least traffic possible as your desired, repeatable results. Sometimes leaving 15 minutes earlier can make all the difference in being early enough to stop at Starbucks or late enough to get a side-eye from your boss. (Not that I'm speaking from extensive personal experience, or anything...)

For the Love of God, Eat Breakfast

Via buzzfeed.com

And eat somethin' good. Few things cause more grumpiness than an empty stomach. There are easy (really, truly easy!) ways to prep yummy, satisfying breakfasts the night before.

Put down that sad granola bar and do something nice for yourself. Homemade granola is easy and versatile, and works in trail mix, over greek yogurt, or as a cerial.

You'll be more likely to get up and out of the door on time if there is some muffin-y goodness to look forward to. Bake 'em on Sunday, throw them in the freezer, and pop a couple in the microwave before work.

Pre-made smoothie packs are a great idea, especially before a morning workout.

And if you have access to a kitchen at work, it's not a bad idea to keep some instant oatmeal, peanut or almond butter, and whatever other fixins you like at the office. #treatyoself to the the most important meal of the day.

You got this! Go forth and conquer (at 25 mph)

youtube.com