Wish I could pull this off but I'd absolutely swallow the gum the second things got heated. My nerves turn me into a total gum-choking hazard during any real debate. I'm that person who talks way too fast and trips over my own words when I'm passionate about a book. Probably need the gum super glued to my teeth or something. Might still try it though, because my usual method of just biting my tongue clearly isn't working.

We're so used to jumping in the car for everything, even tiny errands, it's like autopilot lol. Like @avery_jackson said, walking those short trips adds up, and it makes you see how much we depend on cars. Setting rules like yours is a solid way to break that habit for good.