Whether you enjoy car rides or not, after so many long drives, they can start to feel repetitive. There are a few things you can do to look forward to your next ride.
Whether you’re watching life pass by outside your window or getting lost in your thoughts, with a few intentional changes, car rides can turn into hours of productivity and enjoyable moments.
Rebranding time
The time in the car can be used as a chance to reset. Scrolling through Pinterest and envisioning who you want to be and what you want to accomplish is a great way to spark motivation. You can create a mood board for the new year to help you visualize your goals.
Journaling during a long car ride is also a great way to check in with yourself. In addition to envisioning your goals, writing them down can help turn your thoughts into something meaningful. It’s a simple action that can make your ride feel productive.
Learn something new
Fill your free time with something productive, like learning a new skill or exploring a new form of art. For example, crocheting is a great activity to pick up in the car because it’s hands-on and relaxing. There are countless YouTube videos that break down every step and show you how to make just about anything.
You can also catch up on current events or explore topics that interest you. Reading the news keeps you informed, while flipping through a magazine like Vogue can be a fun way to stay inspired and entertained. Podcasts that dive into history or pop culture can turn your ride into a mix of learning and leisure.
Playlist curation
At some point, music will almost always come into play during a long car ride. I like to use the time to explore new artists and discover songs I haven’t heard before. More often than not, I end up finding something I really like.
Photo Clean-out
Hands down, every long car ride somehow turns into a full-on photo clean-out for me. As I scroll through my camera roll, I always realize how many unnecessary photos I’ve accumulated. What starts as casual scrolling quickly turns into a satisfying decluttering session.
By the end, I feel so much better knowing I decluttered my phone and freed up storage.
Week planning
One of my favorite ways to utilize car time is to plan out the coming week. I’ll open my notes app and put down everything I have coming up, such as plans, classes and workouts. Seeing it all laid out helps me feel less overwhelmed and more prepared, which makes me manage my time better.
catching up on missing sleep
I would be lying if I said I was always being productive in the car, sometimes I fall asleep without meaning to. As a college student, I often don’t get enough sleep, and don’t have time in the day to catch up on any missing sleep. If I’m able to, long car rides become the perfect opportunity to catch up on those missing hours.
No matter the duration of the car ride, there is always a way to make the time feel worthwhile. The next time you are in the passenger seat, try turning the drive into something more than just travel.