The Commute

Commuting to work these days can look so different from person to person and profession to profession. Last week I celebrated six years working at Tamarack Grove Engineering and I got to thinking about how much has changed since I started in June 2019. I also just wrapped up a couple months of traveling off and on, and lots going on, so it felt like an appropriate time to reflect and refocus.

After being at 3 conferences and a week vacation in April and May, I finally returned to the office and was back to my commute a couple of weeks ago. My commute these days is about 20 minutes, but that time to clear my mind and mentally prepare for my day is something I often take for granted. Even though it’s a required function of my day, and often just includes turning on an audiobook or favorite playlist, there’s comfort in the mundane. As I was reflecting on my six years, I thought I’d take a drive down memory lane.

When I started my job in 2019, I drove a different car, lived in a different house, wasn’t married, and didn’t have a kid or dog. My morning routine and commute were significantly different than they are today. Even though six years later I still commute to the same job, almost nothing is the same! That small reflection right there is a great reminder that change is constant and inevitable, but it’s how we embrace change and use it to carry us forward into the next chapter. I wouldn’t trade anything present day with myself six years ago. It just shows how blessed I continue to be!

In 2019, my commute to the office was just 2 miles each way, for a grand total of 4 miles per day. That doubled if I decided to run home for lunch, which I did occasionally because it was convenient, I didn’t have a ton of responsibilities in my new role yet, and I was nearby. Today, those days feel a million miles away, but I love what I get to do now and different is so good.

About 8 months into my first job out of college, the COVID pandemic struck and millions of people around the world found their commute shortened to a brief walk from their bedroom to their home office or dining room. At the time, it felt like that chapter would never end, but I’m so grateful 5 years later that our norm has returned to mostly in office. I crave interaction with others throughout the workday, and believe I’m a better colleague when I am surrounded by other people. I didn’t realize in those weeks we were home in 2020 that I missed the mundane, short commute that I had until I no longer had the opportunity. Once we returned to the office later that Summer, I was so glad to have that small piece of normal back in my life.

2020 was also the year I started teaching a class at Boise State as an adjunct, so my lunch commute two days a week turned into a quick drive down the hill to campus and back. It seems like every year that I’ve worked at TGE, something changes along the way. In 2021, life was mostly back to normal, except for the Summer we ended up all working from home during a big office remodel. During that time I’d occasionally stop by the office to check progress on the remodel, but it felt so good to get back into the routine later that Fall when we reopened.

In 2022 Mandy and I moved a couple miles away into our first home together, got married, and my commute changed again. Even though it was the same part of town, just driving a different way to work for the first time 3 years opened my eyes to new things along a new route. A year after we got married, we welcome Aubrey to the world and my commute quickly included a pickup or drop off here and there at her daycare. Then in 2024, the longest change happened: our office moved from Boise to Meridian, taking my commute to about 20 minutes… and I actually had to use the freeway!

Although I don’t like putting more miles on my car now, it provides a good extra few minutes to clear my mind and mentally prepare for the day ahead. It might sound funny, but one thing I miss the most while on vacation (other than Smokey and my own bed) is driving. I love driving and always have, since I first got my permit at age 15.

While it may be silly to reflect on a commute, I hope you too can look back on your journey and the positive changes along the way. If you don’t have a commute, what area of your life provide time of quiet, reflection, jamming to your favorite playlist, or the next audiobook in your favorite series?

I’m thankful to have a steady job, live in a great neighborhood, and most importantly be surrounded by a beautiful family to come home to each evening. Take a moment to reflect today on the many blessings around you, and think about your commute next time you hop in the car (or walk to your home office)!

Don’t forget to lead with kindness and Saddle Up to spread positivity wherever your day takes you today.