Every morning, I try to take the “long way” to work. This isn’t about just taking a longer route while driving (which I also occasionally do when listening to a good podcast), I’m talking about the moment after I park on campus and walk to my office building. Instead of slinking away towards the back door which gets me to my desk faster, I go through the front doors where I’m immediately met with people - coworkers, students, and visitors. I choose the route with more people, and it forces me into conversation.
I take this practice from my Peace Corps experience in Fiji, after seeing how my friends in the village would visit with neighbors on their way out into the mountains to farm. Many mornings, I would watch farmers gather their tools, don their sunhats, and set out for a full day of working the land. But their journey begins in a curiously circuitous manner, and it often involves leapfrogging between nearby houses, sitting for tea, and sharing suki–rolled tobacco. Some of these stops would cross into the next hour.
The commute to work in the village was not merely an efficient transition between point A and point B, it was a social event. It was a communal journey, where friends would continuously stop in and indulge in relationships throughout the day.
Connection grows when you choose people over efficiency in small, everyday moments.
Coming back to the United States, I wanted to continue that practice and radically change my relationship to my commute to and from work. By stopping to chat at the front desk of my building, I create a daily tradition where I engage in conversation about random things…the weather, the Padres, surfing. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as I engage with others.
And presently, this new tradition is paying off. I look forward to these couple of minutes each day. I am eager to share new developments like following-up on a recommendation about a restaurant I should go to. What started as pushing myself to interact with these loose connections in my place of work turned into bright spots in my day.
So if you have the time, I suggest trying to find these moments where you can take the “long way” in your commute. Engage with others and make time to indulge in friendships throughout the day.
Maybe try one of these ….:
🌱 Notice: Pay attention to one routine trip this week and who you pass without interacting
🤝 Reach: Say hello or make one short comment to someone you see during a regular commute or errand.
🏡 Join: Slow down one routine route on purpose and leave space for a brief conversation or moment of connection.
If this brought up a thought or experience, reply and let us know.
Declan Tomlinson served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji (2023-2025). During service, Declan worked as an economic development facilitator in a rural village where he taught financial literacy and project management. Declan currently lives in San Diego, California, and writes for the community-building platform Locally Stoked.
💬 Want to Share Your Peace Corps Story?
Bringing It Home is built around the stories of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the many ways they carry their Peace Corps experience into life back home.
✔ Share Your Story - Tell us about something from your Peace Corps experience that still matters to you today. You can write your own story and share it with us.
✔ Answer a Few Questions - Not sure what to write? Answer a few simple questions instead. We’ll use your answers to create a story that you can review before we share it.
Your experience does not have to be dramatic or unusual. Sometimes the small things say the most about what Peace Corps leaves with us. Have a story to share?
🎯 Want More Small Actions Like This?
This project uses simple tools to help RPCVs rebuild local connection after service:
✔ Bingo Cards - Light, flexible prompts that encourage noticing, reaching out, and participating in your community. Click HERE to get your own bingo cards
You can try one square, one row, or none at all. It’s about practice, not completion.
I love that you've connected more with community once you returned.
Love this - thanks for sharing your story, Declan!