In the heart of 2020, as the world grappled with a pandemic and the word “uncertainty” was thrown around in every other sentence, I found myself navigating the turbulent waters of my corporate space. Like many others in various businesses and industries, I was trying to stay afloat in a sea of uncertainty and mounting pressures. But amidst the chaos, I stumbled upon a simple, yet profoundly effective remedy that worked wonders for me: walking.
Solace In Strides
It all began on an overcast afternoon when the walls of my home office seemed to close in, echoing the tightness in my chest that came with looming deadlines and complex business challenges. I had no idea where to go, or even where to start. On a whim, driven by the need for a breath of fresh air, I stepped outside for a walk.
At the time, I lived in a neighborhood full of hills up away from the city. The lush greenery was overgrown on golf course near the walking path, and wildflowers were spouting up from the ground to wrap around wooden fence posts. That first time, I didn’t bother with headphones. Instead, I just listened to the birds and crickets chirping, the whirring of a car driving by, and the soft wind chimes hanging from the front porches of my neighbors.
What I quickly discovered was more than just a temporary escape; it was a pathway to mental clarity and emotional balance that I deeply needed.
After a 3 ½ mile roundabout, I decided to do it again the following day. And as I made walking a regular part of my routine, the benefits became increasingly evident. The rhythmic strides were not just a physical activity that was good for stimulating my health and muscles; they were a mental release. Each step seemed to unravel the knots of stress and anxiety that had tightened around my mind with every clack on my keyboard and click of my mouse. The blend of fresh air, the rustle of leaves, and the distant hum of life going on around me provided a soothing backdrop to my contemplative walks.
While my walking routine began as a means to navigate the corporate labyrinth of life, it soon permeated other aspects of my day-to-day. The clarity and calmness gained from my daily walks began to improve my relationships, heighten my creativity, and even lead to more mindful eating habits. I wouldn’t lash out at my husband when he asked how my day was. I felt inspired to work on other creative pursuits in life besides just dwelling on what went wrong at work after the work day was over. Suddenly, I had the energy for more than just picking up the phone and calling take-out at dinner time.
As it turns out… the benefits of walking are not confined to the realms of business; they extend to every corner of one’s life.
Integrating walking into a busy schedule might seem impossible, but it’s all about small, consistent steps (literally).
I would suggest starting with a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or replace a short drive you regularly take with a walk. If you find walking mundane, try listening to a podcast or an audiobook – or music that uplifts you. The key is to make it enjoyable and something to look forward to, not just another task on your to-do list.
Walking, I’ve learned, is more than just physical exercise – it’s a voyage towards better mental health and overall well-being. It’s a testament to the power of simple acts in bringing about profound changes in our lives.
So, to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life or the demands of a career, I say: try taking a walk. You might just find that each step takes you a little further away from stress and one step closer to peace and clarity you deserve.
I do miss those walks in that beautiful neighborhood. At the time, it felt like life was crumbling around me – which is why it’s almost funny now, looking back on those memories fondly. I may not have thought that possible, at the time.
Walking remained a constant amidst the changes in scenery and life circumstances.
Nowadays, my walks are in a new neighborhood, about 300 miles away. There are no hills, and the sidewalk is paved. The lush greenery and crickets chirping in the late evening were traded for blooming bougainvillea and children playing in the park. But the walks remain the same…
… peaceful, rejuvenating, and priceless.
xo Jenni
THE NEXT JEN 
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