Set The Vibe

A Londoner’s Guide to Finding Peace on the Tube (or the bus!)

I’ll never forget the feeling of my first London commute. Living in Bethnal Green and traveling to Baker Street every single day was a new world for me. Coming from a quiet little town in Italy, I was used to a gentle morning walk, not a thousand person race to squeeze onto a Tube carriage. For years, my daily journey was a major source of stress, a battle against delays, crowds, and the constant feeling of being overwhelmed before I even started my workday.

It was one of the things that, over time, contributed to my own burnout. The commute wasn’t just a part of my day, it was an energy-sapping part of me.

But I’ve learned that your daily journey doesn’t have to be a battle. It can, in fact, be a secret opportunity for calm. The mindful commute isn’t about wishing you were somewhere else. It’s about taking that chaotic moment and intentionally transforming it into a pocket of peace. This is what I’ve learned to do.

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1. Tune In (and Tune Out): A Selective Sensory Experience

The Tube can be a sensory overload, and you’d think the last thing you’d want to do is tune in. But I’ve found that actively choosing what to focus on makes all the difference.

• My Go-To Sound Hack: Instead of letting the noise overwhelm me, I put on my headphones and listen to a podcast, an audiobook, or a carefully curated playlist of calming music. It’s a simple act of putting up a personal barrier against the chaos. And trust me, you’ll need it on a packed Central Line at rush hour!
• The Power of Observation: I’ve trained myself to stop staring blankly at my phone and start noticing. The way the light streaks through the tunnel, the vibrant details of someone’s outfit, or the unique architecture of a station. It’s a game of finding beauty in the most unlikely places.

2. My Secret Weapon: The Conscious Breath

My breath is my most powerful tool, and it’s always with me. Whenever I feel that anxiety start to creep in, like when the train suddenly stops between stations, I turn to my breath.

• The Four-Second Reset: I take a deep breath in for a count of four, hold it for a second, and then slowly exhale for six. Just a few rounds of this can quiet my entire nervous system. It’s my instant reset button, and no one around me even knows I’m doing it.

3. Stop Fighting Your Thoughts

Before I started practicing this, my mind would be a whirlwind of what ifs and to-do lists on every commute. Now, I simply try to observe them.

• Letting Thoughts Pass: I imagine my thoughts as clouds passing in the sky. I don’t grab onto them or try to analyse them, I just watch them go by. “There’s a thought about the presentation…there’s a thought about what to make for dinner.” Then, I gently bring my attention back to the present moment.

4. A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way

It might sound cheesy, but a little gratitude can completely change your perspective on a stressful commute.

• Small Wins: I’ve learned to find tiny things to be grateful for. The fact that I got a seat, the warmth of the train on a cold morning, or the kindness of a stranger who held the door for me. It’s about focusing on the small joys that remind me not everything is a battle.

5. Set an Intention for Your Next Step

My final act before I reach my stop is a quick mental ritual.

• From Journey to Destination: I take a final deep breath and mentally release any lingering stress from the journey. I then set an intention for the next part of my day, to be present and calm at work, or to be patient and relaxed as I walk through my door to see my partner and our cocker spaniel.

The mindful commute isn’t about achieving a state of blissful calm every single day. It’s about building a muscle. While I’m lucky enough now to live within walking distance of work and start my day with a peaceful walk through a beautiful park, these rituals are a big reason why I got here. It’s about proving to yourself, in the most chaotic moments, that you have the power to create an internal sanctuary. Give it a try, and you might just find that your daily journey becomes not a drain, but a quiet wellspring of peace.