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The overarching narrative, up until now, has been that commuting is a bad thing. Studies show that longer commutes lead to decreased job satisfaction and increased risk of mental health issues, while shorter commutes have the opposite effect. But despite a year of working blissfully from home, our job satisfaction and general mental health have continued to deteriorate. Why? A part of this is the result of fewer in-person interactions and “Zoom fatigue.” But the authors believe it or not, misplacing our commutes has also made a contribution. Pre-Covid, our commutes were a part of our daily rituals, and rituals have been a natural human behavior since the beginning of time. They add stability and certainty into an otherwise unstable and uncertain world — alleviating feelings of grief, anxiety, and increasing confidence. Bringing a commute back into your day, even a short one, can be good for your mental wellbeing, and even increase you job satisfaction. Your “commute” could be as simple as spending some solo time meditating in an unoccupied room or taking a short walk around your block before hopping into your first meeting. Whatever you decide, make it a ritual, one you feel safe repeating time and again.
This article is literally just speculation lol