Most folks commute one to ten miles to and from work everyday. This is not a long drive in the car. Most of us travel the distance without really thinking about how far we have traveled. We figure the distance in minutes we spend in the car, not how far we have traveled if we had to hoof it. Besides work all of us have other places we regularly travel to, the mall, the beach, camping and grandma's house. How far are these places from your home? Remember think about this not in minutes spent in the car but in miles you might have to walk?
Walking home would be the extreme. What if your regular route home is not an option? How many other routes do you know home?
Most people I talk to know only one way home! Some might know two but the second route is usually a surface street which basically follows the same route as their main route home. Few know a completely different route home and even fewer have driven the alternative route. When you get a chance, leave work early, route out a second way home and drive the route to see if it works. Then find a third way home. The last route should be a longer way home which takes you around, away from and has nothing to do with your regular route home as much as possible. Look at your routes, any portion of the routes which overlap is an area you could have a problem with. What if that intersection, road or whatever is blocked? Do you know a way around?
Can you catch a train, ferry or subway to get you home? Without using your car how could you get home? Do you have some cash on you incase the power is out and you have to pay for a different way home?
For those of us who take a train or some other way home everyday, anything besides your personal vehicle, are you ready to walk? I know your suit, tie, skirt and heels are great for working in an office but have you ever walked 1 to 10 miles dressed in your work clothes? Most dress shoes are not made to be walked in that far. Especially if the weather is bad. A three mile walk through the rain is a lot different in a pair of tennis shoes then in dress shoes. I've watched all you young ladies out there take your heels off after ten minutes of dancing, no way you would want to walk ten miles in those things!!!
If you drive your own car everyday toss a pair of old shoes in the trunk. Mass transit rider, find a place at work to stash a pair shoes. Going to the beach? Take a pair of tennis shoes along to wear. If you don't have a place to keep a pair of shoes, can you find a thick pair of long socks and jam them into your bag, purse or backpack. Put on the pair of thick socks then stuff your feet back into your dress shoes. The added protection afforded by the socks just might be enough to stop blisters from forming and help you make it home.
Simple things can and will make the difference should you find yourself in a 'bad day' situation. Already having a different way home cuts down on stress. While others might be struggling to figure out how to get home you are already heading there. Having some extra cash with you might be just the fix you need to keep moving toward home. Being able to comfortably walk home, although hopefully a last resort, might be the difference in how long it takes you to get home.
As always,
Stay Safe
