Somewhere between deadlines, meetings, and notifications, I forgot that commuting could actually be enjoyable.

For the past few months, my morning routine felt automatic. Wake up, get ready, catch the MRT, arrive at the office, repeat. I wasn't paying attention to anything around me.

Last Tuesday, I decided to leave home twenty minutes earlier than usual.

Instead of rushing, I grabbed a coffee and sat near the station entrance for a while. People were walking in different directions, each carrying their own plans for the day. It sounds simple, but watching the city wake up felt surprisingly calming.

Things I noticed that morning

• A florist arranging fresh flowers before opening
• A father carrying his sleeping daughter
• Someone reading a physical book during the commute
• The smell of coffee from a small kiosk near the station

I realized that Jakarta feels different when you're not trying to outrun the clock.

Maybe the city hasn't changed. 

Maybe I've just been too busy to notice it.

I'm not saying every commute will suddenly become meaningful. Some mornings are still exhausting. But leaving a little earlier and slowing down for a few minutes made a bigger difference than I expected.

I'll probably try it again next week.