Why I like to walk

The best part of my (mostly) daily walks is getting outside.

When I go out for a walk I am outside of my small office, which sometimes feels confining, and into a much larger, open expanse. Clouds, a breeze, trees, and sidewalks often feel more welcoming than my desk! Without walls and a roof, my walks themselves become the containers for my experience, finite in time and infinite in possibility. I imagine them like the Mason jars my mom and gramma used to make jam...they get re-used over and over again with each batch being slightly different than the one before.

Without walls and a roof, my walks themselves become the containers for my experience, finite in time and infinite in possibility.

I like to walk on:

• Connection Walks

(find a flat route, a wide path, or familiar trail to allow focus on connecting with the other person)

I've got a regular walking buddy I meet most weekends to talk and walk.

I text friends for spur of the moment walks to check in.

My husband and I take an evening stroll most nights to connect.

Who do you like to walk with?

• Solo Reset Walks

(choose a route where you have access to others and pay attention to your surroundings for safety).

I regularly take a walk around the block during the work day to settle in.

I have a longer loop in a local park I take some days for reflection.

I leave my headphones at home when I walk.

When do you most need some solitude?

• Purposeful Walks

(most any destination can be used as long as you have time to get there)

I sometimes walk to the downtown to do an errand.

If I need something while I'm cooking, I will walk to the grocery store near us.

My day hiking and backpack trips are partly destination-based.

What's the easiest way to add in a walk to your day?

• Wayfinding Walks

(plan a reasonable route based on your physical and mental fitness)

When I've got a problem to sort through, I often walk to untangle it.

On my longer walks, I find I have time and space for more discovery.

I host guided mindful walking experiences for others to walk and reflect.

Where would you like most to walk for a long time?

You'll note that I left off my list "Workout Walks." I don't really count steps or track mileage, but if you are into metrics that's great. For me, walking is for the gentle recalibration of my day. On achy-joint days, I shorten my loop and slow my pace. My walks boost my mood, loosen up my body, and get me some fresh air.

A whole lot of my walks are loops, leaving me off just where I began—and yet, somehow just a little bit different than when I started. Sometimes I will do a mini Wayfinding Walk on my neighborhood loop where I look for external prompts from street signs or plant fragrances or sounds of people. In these I allow my mind to wander, following the stream of ideas or questions that come up from what I experience along the way. I always feel refreshed when I walk and have the chance to get outside AND outside my own thoughts for a while by focusing on my surroundings.

Try these next time you walk on a 10-20 minute loop

• Start your walk with a single word to consider as you walk.

• Notice a street sign and see what the name brings up to your consciousness.

• If you bring your phone, snap a photo of something that caught your eye.

• Allow your thoughts to wander and see where they take you.

And when you get back from your walk, take a few minutes to reflect on your experience. If you like to write, jot down your thoughts or create a poem. Draw a picture of your ideas, create a soundtrack that can bring you back to your walk when you are at home or in your office. Or just sit in grateful silence for the chance to be outside.

Why do you walk? And how do you walk?

Quick tips for a neighborhood walk

Wear clothes appropriate to the weather and/or the time of day, i.e. hat for sun, lighter colored clothes or reflective gear after dark.