I really enjoy taking Lucy the puggle dog for long walks. She gets her wiggles out, and I get some low impact exercise with no agenda attached. I get to literally smell the roses…or the impending rain…it’s like reconnecting with nature, only on sidewalks.
After stumbling onto an article on treehugger, though, I found out that walking just for the sake of a purposeless stroll might becoming a thing of the past. People walk for exercise, they walk from the car to the store, but in our modern go-go-go, they no longer have a the time to just take an evening stroll. It’s sad, because another article on the BBC mentioned that several of our most notable authors relied on mindless walking for their inspiration. Thoreau, Wordsworth, and Dickens all relied on walks to clear their head and make space for their next idea. While I am certainly not laying out timeless classic prose, I can totally relate. My best ideas seem to come to me on my walks with Lucy. My walks kind of seem like my best kept secret…I don’t expect much from them, but still, they usually deliver some kind of insight {even if that insight is just seeing the Forsythia in bloom and knowing that when I get home, it’ll be time to prune the roses}. I seriously think we would all be a little happier if our feet got to hit the pavement/dirt everyday for at least a half an hour.
What do you think? Do any of YOU find solace, inspiration, a break from daily stress, etc. in an agenda-less walk? Or do you wish you could take them, but can’t seem to make the time?
~Mavis
Beks says
I typically only take strolls when I need to clear my head. I think Americans don’t really take walks anymore, because so many have a set agenda of what needs to be done, and we’re programmed to get it in as fast as humanly possible.
When I was in Denver last fall, my best friend and I went to the botanic gardens, and took a stroll. We started commenting on this same subject, and how people don’t take a walk through the gardens, or parks anymore. It’s sad. it’s always so refreshing.
Kay says
My daughter (who is four) and I have been taking walks together since she started walking. It’s one of our absolute favorite things to do! Sometimes it’s just along the road, sometimes it’s in the woods, but it is most definitely a walk just for the sake of walking and enjoying being outside! Often times my daughter will bring a bucket along and collect ‘treasures’ she finds along the way (rocks, pinecones, etc.). She now tends to call our walks Treasure Walks! 🙂
Misty Colorado says
Mavis, we just bought a farm type property as a getaway, about 45 minutes from home, so.not as far as your east coast getaway. Was thinking perhaps you might consider a post about how you organize your life at the other property, so as to enjoy and maximize your life there. I would love to read anything you did on this topic.
Thanks so much!
Mavis Butterfield says
Sure! I think that would be a great post. 🙂
Tamara says
Love, love, love those aimless, mindless strolls! You are so right about them clearing your mind, and even though you are not doing it for exercise you are using calories! Sometimes that is just the thing to do when you and your spouse (or teenager!) need to discuss something important or awkward.
Melissa Schad says
Use to take them all the time when I moved not so much now but will get back into them again once we have settled and the rains and flooding are over.
Terri says
When my daughter was a child then a teenager – I found that when we walked – she would open up. So we took them often – just so I could keep in touch with her inner feelings. Sure we talked at home – but nothing like when we were out on our walks. Now she walks her son to and from school everyday – with little brother in tow. If I’m along I notice that her son shares his school adventures with her… it all comes tumbling out. So moms.. if you aren’t already – I highly recommend walking with your kids while you can. They grow up so fast.
Susan Sleeman says
As an author, I find when I’m struggling to make a plot element work in a book or with a character’s motivation, a peaceful walk clears my mind and the answer becomes clear. I guess that means I’m not walking for walking sake, but it gets me moving.
WendyinCA says
I love going for a walk with my dog. It clears my head, calms my spirit, and I feel so refreshed and invigorated. I’m not talking about taking a walk with my ear buds in–I’ve seen people do that, power walking right past me, but imo they’re missing so much! I love to hear the birds singing, and yesterday we spotted a turkey ‘gobbling’ in the field.
Marcia says
I think our lives are too jammed. I LOVE to walk but it always has a purpose! This week, I walked to shop every day at lunch (grocery store, sports store, Costco).
When I don’t have shopping, I go for a lunch time stroll.
Last year I was really good at walking with the toddler after dinner (I put him on my back). He’s too heavy for that now, and I’m not sure I’d enjoy walking with him, and alternately chasing him or carrying him when he refuses to leave the playground.
Kate says
I’m not sure what my walks qualify as but I try to walk a couple of miles each day for exercise and mood-lifting. I tried doing a couch to 5K program last summer. It was the first time in my life I had run for any distance (I’m in my late 50’s) and I loved it. But my ankles did not. I’m back to walking for a purpose–to be outside and to get exercise and to notice the flowers, the leaves, the birds, etc. while I’m walking. I listen to music while I’m walking but I still enjoy being outside and observe my surroundings.
Kimberley McCurdy says
I try to go for a walk every day (sometimes the weather doesn’t allow it). My Boston Terrier, Skippy loves his walks! I go with my daughter-in-law and we visit along the way. It’s relaxing, refreshing and fun! Bonus – we are each losing weight too! 🙂
Mev says
I love walking! When I was in Berlin for a year during college I would wander the streets (innocently! 🙂 and see where each corner led- I saw some really beautiful little cemetaries and parks and hidden gardens this way. Now I live in LA and we will take pajama walks with our kids (9 and 6). We’ve done this since they were little. They get ready for bed and then we take a stroll around the neighborhood with them in their pjs. We’ve met lots of neighbors and dogs and it gives the kids a wind-down time- a chance to taste honeysuckle and smell flowers and kick rocks. Now that they are in school we don’t do it as often as when they were really young but we walk or hike weekly just for pleasure. My 6 year old will chat non stop on a hike and my 9 year old always likes to hold my hand and pick up pretty petals and leaves for us to look at together…
Kristi says
Thanks for your blog – I enjoy all the different aspects! Walking has been my go-to exercise/de-stresser for many, many years! I used to walk around the city during my lunch hour. I loved taking my kids in the jogger stroller (although I didn’t jog…it was just a less bumpy ride for the kiddos). Now I take my golden retrievers in the woods on our property where they run and dig to their hearts’ content! Sometimes you just need to get out in the fresh air and take it all in. 🙂
Jen Y says
I walk through my yard pretty much every day. I talk longer walks through our woods when the seasons allow (I stay clear of the woods during tick season). I also take my little dog for walks in the park often. For me, every walk is mindless – even if there’s a purpose in the walk.
diane @smartmoneysimplelife says
I try to walk every morning for about 30 minutes – usually around the nearby lake. I like the solitude. Also, getting the blood circulating helps get me fired up for the day. I walk at my own pace, I think and I observe. It’s a wonderful way to start the day.
Mavis says
Sounds lovely!