Used to drive an hour to work, now it's a 10 minute walk and I hate traffic more somehow

Back in 2018 I drove from the suburbs to downtown Austin every day, 45 minutes minimum each way. Now I live four blocks from my office and I seriously get annoyed if a car honks near my crosswalk lol. Anyone else find themselves way less patient with drivers after ditching a long commute?

2 comments

2 Comments

keith_rivera1919h ago

Use earplugs on your walks. Seriously, it helps a ton. You get used to the city noise but don't get startled by every loud truck. Also, stop at the crosswalk and wait for the walk signal even if no cars are coming. Builds back your patience. And try timing your walk so you're not hitting the busiest intersection right at 8am. Little things like that made me way less pissed off.

gibson.sarah17h agoMost Upvoted

I have to push back a little here, Keith. Earplugs actually worry me because you lose some awareness of your surroundings. A cyclist or another pedestrian might be coming up behind you and you won't hear them. I tried it once and nearly stepped in front of a delivery truck I didn't hear idling at the curb. As for waiting at empty crosswalks, I'd rather just look both ways and go. Standing there when nobody is coming feels like wasting time, not building patience. I guess we just have different approaches to getting through the city.