The Scenic Route

Every morning, I rush out the door, coffee in hand, mentally preparing for the day ahead during my very long eight-minute commute. I’m a creature of efficiency (hello, Operations). I always take the fastest route to the office, always trying to save a few minutes, always focused on what’s next. Sound familiar?

But the other day, something nudged me to take a different turn. I chose a route that adds maybe one or two minutes to my drive. It winds through a small patch of woods, passes a pond where the sun catches the water just right, and offers views of deer grazing and the occasional parade of wild turkeys crossing like they own the road. (Spoiler: they do, I stop every time.)

It’s beautiful, peaceful, and simple. And for some reason, I hadn’t given myself permission to take it in until now.

That tiny change, one or two extra minutes, brought an entire shift to my morning. I arrived at the office grounded instead of rushed, thoughtful instead of reactive. It reminded me that small intentional decisions have the power to recalibrate the way we feel.

It got me thinking. Where else in my life am I defaulting to the fastest path instead of the most joyful one? What habits have I created out of convenience that are robbing me of delight?

So here’s your gentle nudge: take the scenic route once in a while. Let it be your reminder that you have control over your routines. You can make shifts that don’t take a lot of time but completely change your energy. Maybe it's the way you start your day, the people you check in with, or the way you unwind at night.

Sometimes joy is just around the corner. One left turn away.