In case you haven’t been following my stories on Instagram (which you definitely should be doing!) I’ve created a new commute for the summer and my life is so much better because of it. 

To give you a sense of my usual routine of taking the subway to work, picture this:

1. Crowds. I’m 5’ tall. My nose lines up with most men’s armpits when they hold onto the ceiling bars.

2. Heat. Subway platforms are not air conditioned. Imagine the heat of hell and throw in the stench of garbage for good measure.

3. Going underground. I hate to miss the fresh air when I’m stuck in my office. Add to that an hour and half of commute each day and I barely get any sunshine on my skin.

NYC’s expanded ferry service has meant that I have recently abandoned the subway in favor of a boat ride to work. Here’s what I get out of the ferry ride:

• Silence (no one talks)

• Space (it’s never crowded)

• Fresh air (the breeze feels so good)

• Being on the water (there’s nothing more soothing to me)

• Distance from the city (so much perspective)

• Beauty (bridges, glistening water, architecture, sky, etc.)

Taking the ferry takes about an hour and 10 minutes each way. That’s not a short commute. Taking the subway takes 50 minutes. As someone who prides herself on being productive all the time, convincing myself that it was okay to choose the ferry was not easy. At first I thought that I was wasting my productive hours away on the river. However, after committing to the ferry commute for the last 6 weeks, I’ve got a new perspective. 

Yes, while I’m literally choosing to take a longer route to get to work, the pleasure and joy it brings me outweighs the time. I rarely make a choice to have pleasure over efficiency related to my workdays and this has been life-changing.

My new commute is an example of a way I’m integrating self care into my daily life. Instead of saving my relaxation and pleasure for my weekends or vacation, I’m realizing that the way to prevent burnout is to find ways to stay grounded throughout my work week. I don’t need to abandon what grounds me—outdoors, water, alone time—in order to make it professionally. If a ferry ride makes me feel more connected to nature, and less like I’m watching summer go by from the window in my office, that’s worth 40 minutes/day. In being more balanced, I’m actually preventing burnout and keeping my mind and body healthier. Aren’t those the foundations of a strong work performance?

What are some ways you can integrate joy and pleasure into daily life at work? What if you choose to enjoy something like your commute or a way of doing a task, even if it takes a little longer? Where’s your balance?