As January draws to a close, the return-to-work rhythm is firmly re-established. Diaries are filling quickly, the optimism of a fresh start has begun to fade, and for many, the commute has shifted from optional to inevitable once again.

In the UK, January is always a month of contrasts. The calendar signals a new beginning, yet mornings remain dark, evenings short, and the journey to work carries an unspoken weight—one that’s only amplified when a “severe signal failure” halts an entire line. What’s interesting isn’t simply that people are commuting again, but how deliberately they are choosing to do so.

In the return-to-office era, the commute is no longer just a means of transport. It has become a wellbeing touchpoint—shaping energy, mood and stress levels before the working day has even begun. During the darker winter months, employees are navigating all of this long before they reach their desks.

While individuals can take steps to prepare themselves, as designers and consultants perhaps we should be asking a different question: how do we make the journey to the office genuinely worth it—especially when daylight is working against us?

In a hybrid working world, the commute is no longer a given; it’s constantly being evaluated. For many people, that journey sets the tone for the entire day—and in winter, that tone can feel increasingly fragile.

Recent Leesman data highlights the friction.

• 38% of employees see their commute as a waste of time
• 32% view it as a waste of money
• 30% experience stress en route

That’s a significant amount of friction before work has even started, something we’re hearing consistently in recent client engagements. And yet, there’s nuance here.

• 31% use the commute as time to reflect
• 18% use it to relax
• 18% use it to learn

From personal experience on the London Underground, a relaxing rush-hour journey remains elusive—securing a seat still feels like a first-class upgrade.

Journey length also plays a decisive role. Employees with a 15-minute commute report a 92% satisfaction rate; once that journey reaches an hour, satisfaction drops sharply to 39%. Mode of transport matters just as much. Active commuters, those who walk or cycle, show an 89% satisfaction rate. The benefits are clear: movement fuels mood. Yet weather conditions and limited daylight create understandable barriers, keeping these modes in the minority.

Taken together, this points to a clear connection between commute satisfaction and how willingly people show up. During the winter months, does attendance become even more selective? And amid ongoing conversations about attracting and retaining talent, have we fully considered the role the commute plays—beyond the familiar “are you willing to relocate?” question?

So, what can we do?

• Flexible hours: enabling people to avoid peak darkness and travel disruption
• Reimagined arrival experiences: supporting active travel, easing the transition for public-transport users, and creating a welcome that feels worth the journey
• Purposeful offices: ensuring the workplace offers genuine added value that justifies the effort

The answer is unlikely to lie in denying the friction. Instead, it’s about acknowledging it and designing around it with intention, across people, place and technology.