Corrine Arnell

Living in New York has made my commute somewhat of a journey each day. Between rush hour, train delays, and random events that warrant road closures, you never truly know how long getting home from work will take each day. Luckily, there’s no need to drive in the city. Public transportation can get you anywhere. Because of this, I’ve gotten creative with how I utilize my time on my way to and from the office.  

I try to pour into me before I get to my job where I am pouring into that. I’ve gotten more consistent with that through habit stacking. 

What is Habit Stacking? 

Like a lot of people, I read Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear. In it he talks about habit stacking, which is when you start attaching new habits to ones that you already have. I interpreted that by thinking of ways that I could be more productive on my way to work where I previously just listened to some music and scrolled social media. Here are some things that I do on my morning commute that help me get more done: 

(Please know that besides one thing, I rotate between these habits based on my mood.  Usually, I will pick two things that I want to accomplish that morning and stick to the plan.) 

Bible Study  

For me, reading the Bible is the perfect way to start my day. This is the one thing that I don’t rotate in the morning. I am currently in the process of reading the entire Bible. 

I am using a reading plan on the Bible app called The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble. It is a 365-day plan that allows you to read the word in chronological order. You read 2-4 chapters every day and then watch a recap video featuring Tara-Leigh who breaks down what you just read. The whole process takes no longer than 20 minutes each day. 

I love when Bible plans have a recap video because I love a good breakdown. I am a “we need to get into what just happened” person. This plan has me excited to read my Bible every day and I have learned so much about God. 

Brainstorm 

I am a paper and pencil girl, so I love to carry a little notebook with me everywhere. I also am a writer, both of blogs and prose so I love taking time out in the morning to jot down some ideas that I have dreamt up and may want to come back to later. 

I don’t just brainstorm about my creative endeavors though. Sometimes I use that time to make a to-do list of what I want to get done at work that day or planning an itinerary for my next vacation. I brainstorm gift ideas, new restaurants or bars to try, and goals that I have for myself. Literally anything and everything can get dreamt up on the way to work.  

Shop Online 

Who doesn’t love a little shopping to start off your day? I use this time to order some things that I know I need or outfits for upcoming events. I also love using Instacart on the way home so that my groceries are delivered around the same time that I get to my place. For some reason, I feel like I waited less time for my groceries to arrive when I spent some of it getting to my house. Whether I am seriously purchasing something or adding things to my wish list, a little shopping never hurt anybody. And that serotonin boost in the morning goes crazy! 

Write 

I feel like you knew this was coming. Sometimes after my Bible study, I pull out my Word app and start writing. This doesn’t happen as often as brainstorming, but if I have an idea that I don’t want to forget this usually comes as a result of the brainstorm. It is very much a “get it on the page” situation when I am traveling though. I have to pay attention to my surroundings so getting lost in a writing trance is not an option. 

Listen to Music/ Podcasts 

Sometimes, I don’t feel like doing anything but listening to music and people watching on my way to work and that is ok. I also love a good podcast so I will find one of those to listen to it as well. It is completely ok to not be “productive” every second of the day. You need rest! I listen to my body and if I am tired or not feeling well that morning, music is always the pick me up that gets me pumped up for the day. 

Read/ Listen to an Audiobook 

Yes, I am the girl who reads in public! I personally lean more towards physical books than audio ones, but I enjoy them both ways from time to time. When my days are really busy, my morning commute is the perfect time to fit in some reading. The only downside to this is when you have to stop in the middle of a really good chapter because you’ve reached your destination, but at least you have something to look forward to. 

My commutes feel so productive and I actually look forward to it now. I know I am going to get a good word (my Bible study) and get some things done. Let me know how you get the most out of your commute at my instagram @corrine.arnell and check back for more articles. xoxo