My first job out of college was 33 miles away from where I lived. Not only was it 33 miles, it was 33 miles straight north on I94 and I90, two of the most heavily congested expressways in the United States. Adding to that roadway resume was a two-year construction project on I94.

ID 845973 © Bryan Busovicki | Dreamstime.com

I had two options. I could leave early (like 6 a.m) and get to work in about 45 minutes or I could leave later (like 7 a.m.) and get to work in about two hours. Neither was a good option. Getting to work at 6:30 am, when I started at 9, was no better than sitting in traffic for two hours each morning. The drive home was no better and often worse.

The lowlight was a Valentine’s Day in the early 90s. In anticipation of a major snowstorm, I left work around 2 p.m. It was much worse than I had feared, as I finally arrived home six and a half hours later. I have done marathons (26.2 miles) in five hours, so this was an even slower pace than that.

I eventually bought a home about four blocks from work. Oh, how my life changed! I would make it home in 10 minutes — by leisurely walking. I could leave my home in the morning minutes before I needed to be at work. I could go home for lunch (or a nap). I would regularly attend the 7:30 a.m. management meetings with still wet hair, having woken up 18 minutes prior (I had this down to a science).

For the last four years, since leaving the newspaper, I have worked from home. Zero commute! This is nirvana.

All this came flooding back to me yesterday when my friend experienced a four-hour drive (which normally takes about 45 minutes). She got home late in the evening and was, naturally, a bit stressed.

I can’t even imagine how I managed that 33-mile trek. My life has improved in so many ways since I shortened, and then deleted, my commute. The average Chicagoan takes 35 minutes per commute. That means I get an extra hour every day. Additionally, I don’t have the stress that comes with such a commute. I could promote myself as “green-friendly” since I don’t use any fuels without a commute. However, I will be honest — the zero commute is strictly for my pleasure and sanity.

I’d like to say I have accomplished so much with this extra time. On one hand, I have done little with this time. On the other hand, that is my entire point.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist