It’s already brrr brrr freezing in NYC, with temperatures dropping below twenty degrees fahrenheit, which means it’s officially time to bundle up! Being a commuter in winter almost feels like hitchhiking your way home, if you know, you know. The commute feels horrendous and extraneous whether you live fifteen minutes away, or an hour away, or a full two hours. Somehow, winter manages to make every commute feel longer than it actually is.Â
RULE ONE: Warmth over style
Listen girls, I know we wanna look cute year long but please always put warmth over styles. Layers are everything to keep you locked away from the cold, but should be chosen wisely. You want to have enough to survive standing on a freezing platform, but not so much that you start sweating in an overheated train. Scarves are face shields, gloves are no longer optional so find something cute with touch for your phones, hats are not accessories but necessities. Commuters are going to gear up in fashion!Â
RULE TWO: prepare for wait times
Next comes the waiting, which somehow feels worse in the cold. Trains are delayed, buses move slower and snowflakes or even random rain alone seems to cause “signal issues”. No shade MTA, we love you. While it is easier to get frustrated, winter commuting forces you to slow down. Waiting turns time into scrolling, listening to music or even bonding with a random stranger who is just as cold and tired as you are. The stigma that NYC people are rude isn’t a real one because we all become a helping hand when needed, don’t be intimidated.
Rule three: you are not alone
Speaking of strangers, winter creates an unspoken sense of unity among commuters. No one needs to say anything when the wind cuts through your coat or when slush soaks the bottom of someone’s shoe. A shared look says it all. Oftentimes, New York City commuters have learned to “mind their business” as the transportation always can have a few surprises, but everyone is dealing with the same cold, same delays and same exhaustion.Â
At the end of the day, surviving winter as a commuter is about resilience and routine. Always have back ups in case something occurs too. It’s about finding comfort in small victories, getting a seat, holding a warm coffee or finally stepping indoors. Winter may make commuting feel unbearable, but New Yorkers show up anyway, proving no amount of cold can change the city that doesn’t sleep. Be safe out there! ♡