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I recall some article mentioning people get used to most positive or negative things in their lives, and after some time level back to their original base level

I recall some article mentioning people get used to most positive or negative things in their lives, and after some time level back to their original base level of happiness. There are 2 exceptions - positive one being a good pet with feedback (ie dog, or maybe even cat), and negative being longer commute. It just drains our positive energy, one bit at a time, continuously. I used to commute to work 70-90 minutes each way with many types of transport (usually bus-train-tram but sometimes more), every day. I didn't come home drained from work, that I can handle easily, but commute was soul crushing, no matter what I read/did (and mostly I could have a seat). Eventually enough was enough, I moved to the city where work is, and having 15 minute commute saves me freakin' 2+ hours of my life, every single work day. You can't put the price on that. And the move was positive change in my life for other reasons as well. Many people around me tell me they can handle long commutes, but they don't appear to be very happy in their lives. Honestly, if you can, do a change in your life. You won't regret it.

sokoloff 8y ago
For most of my 20s, I lived ~35 miles north of the city and drove to/from work. I self-reported/self-convinced that I enjoyed it most times and "didn't mind it" most other times. It made socializing, playing sports, and going out more difficult. I then moved smack into the city, had a walking commute to work for many years, and absolutely loved that. Now, my commute is 8 miles (each way) driving and while I'd prefer a walkable commute, I definitely can't imagine going back to driving 75 miles per day. I think "can handle" is the best description I could use for a long commute. You can, but try not to...
- jaclaz 8y ago
  >I think "can handle" is the best description I could use for a long commute. You can, but try not to... I concur. In my experience there is a phenomenon (in driving generically, not necessarily in driving for commuting), that I believe is connected to the fact that kms/miles driven "add up". For me this happened on or around the 1,000,000 kms mark. I know it sounds obvious/a truism but after one has driven for a (large) amount of kms in his/her life, he/she has "enough" of that. The 10/15/20 kms/minutes remain "ok", but longer commutes start to be "annoying". I am now living at a 8 km (please read as 8 minutes) drive away from work, and it is just fine, when I have to go to the nearby city (35-40 km away), and I have to do that 1 or 2 times per week, I try to avoid the car and take the train if I can. Longish trips (200-300 or more) kms are still OK (because they are not common), but I wouldn't stand the daily commute for 40 kms.

sokoloff 8y ago

For most of my 20s, I lived ~35 miles north of the city and drove to/from work. I self-reported/self-convinced that I enjoyed it most times and "didn't mind it" most other times. It made socializing, playing sports, and going out more difficult. I then moved smack into the city, had a walking commute to work for many years, and absolutely loved that. Now, my commute is 8 miles (each way) driving and while I'd prefer a walkable commute, I definitely can't imagine going back to driving 75 miles per day. I think "can handle" is the best description I could use for a long commute. You can, but try not to...

jaclaz 8y ago
>I think "can handle" is the best description I could use for a long commute. You can, but try not to... I concur. In my experience there is a phenomenon (in driving generically, not necessarily in driving for commuting), that I believe is connected to the fact that kms/miles driven "add up". For me this happened on or around the 1,000,000 kms mark. I know it sounds obvious/a truism but after one has driven for a (large) amount of kms in his/her life, he/she has "enough" of that. The 10/15/20 kms/minutes remain "ok", but longer commutes start to be "annoying". I am now living at a 8 km (please read as 8 minutes) drive away from work, and it is just fine, when I have to go to the nearby city (35-40 km away), and I have to do that 1 or 2 times per week, I try to avoid the car and take the train if I can. Longish trips (200-300 or more) kms are still OK (because they are not common), but I wouldn't stand the daily commute for 40 kms.