When I began my medical studies, I chose to continue living in my home city and commute to Ljubljana, our capital, each day. The choices were pretty clear: car, bus, or train.
Most people commute to Ljubljana by car. I would rather not be stuck in rush hour every morning, let alone pay for a car and all its expenses. Public transport, though not as well-developed as in other European countries, is a viable alternative. But buses get stuck in that same traffic. That’s when the idea of taking the train to and from school each day truly began to appeal.
I was amazed at the difference the train made. The journey was smooth, without the constant stop-and-go of road traffic, offering me a calm space to relax, work, or even sleep.
Those 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon quickly became an important part of my day. That’s because I was free to relax. And when you relax, new ideas start flowing, and good things happen. It was liberating.
Commuting by train made me start listening to podcasts. I’m pretty sure I also read more books because of it. And when I’m short on time, I can squeeze in some work.
I won't pretend it's all perfect – train delays can certainly add an element of stress. But I've found the overall experience to be significantly less stressful.
My first year of commuting by train convinced me to buy an Interrail ticket in the Summer and travel around Europe. Apart from a malfunction in a small Austrian village of Dorfgastein, it was magnificent.
When travelling, our plans often default to planes. However, we really should include trains in the conversation, especially in Europe. They offer comfort, lots of legroom, no baggage limits, and typically, a city centre arrival. Yes, it often takes more time, but since you’re travelling, you might as well slow down.
So, my general advice is to take the train. It's an underappreciated productivity tool, and an incredible way to reclaim the calm amidst our busy lives.
