Your Everyday Girl

I’m a walker. No, not in The Walking Dead sense, more like I need movement for my survival. I guess in a way they do too?

The blaring difference between me and a “walker” is that I’m not a bloodthirsty zombie walking to reach my next meal. But now that I think of it, I’m constantly thinking of what to cook for my next meal…I’m starting to think we have similarities.

And yet, I’m a very aware young woman living in (sometimes) civilized society walking for my peace, health, and as a part of my fitness routine. Zombies don’t have a fitness routine, they don’t live in civilization, and they sure don’t know what peace is.

Walking gives me peace.

Walking is something we take for granted. I never truly appreciated it until I started losing my mind indoors – I work a remote job and sometimes stare at the walls (I’m kidding…not really). I had to try something to get out of my head, so walking presented itself to me at the right time in my life.

I stepped outside my door many moons ago, when I had nothing better to do. I stepped into nature, inhaling the very fresh scent of the outdoors, and then I took further steps around the block and on to a concrete-less path to ensure my nose had been stuffed with all that good and clean Canadian air. A few steps around the block gradually turned into a regular routine and now I’m walking anywhere from 3km to 5km five times per week. That would be 1.9 miles to 3 miles for my fellow American readers.

Walking isn’t something we should take for granted. Every time I get the chance to go outside I get to be a friend of the trees and a fan of the flowers. I will raise my arms in the air and feel the breeze as it moves around me. I might look ridiculous, but it’s really the best feeling ever. Look up and you’ll notice not one cloud is the same just like the thoughts that move around in my mind.

Walking allows me to unwind, move with intention, focus on my breathing, and be present. And yes, sometimes I take coffee with me on the walks.

There is this certain path that I walk with trees towering over me, branches and leaves all mingled into one another and every time I go on my walk, I look above and become insignificant. This is not to say that I don’t matter, but I realize I’m just a very tiny part of this world and sometimes we need a taste of reality in order to let go of our egos and our self-absorbed lifestyles.

Regardless of the season, I’ll still get outside because every time I walk I’m inspired to keep moving forward.

Staying indoors all day can make a person feel antsy. Staring at the screen all day can exhaust your mind. And walls can keep you safe, but nature gives you space. Space to think, roam, and bask in the little things we may not notice…

like the birds that prefer to tread on the grass instead of fly,

like the blooming flowers that warm under the sun,

like the branches that blow in the wind with whispers of stories I’ll never know,

like the water that takes a few steps to the shore and a few steps back into the ocean,

like the many clouds that sit together along the blue sky, 

like the nooks and crannies of the trail I walk on where there is no solid concrete path.

Walking has become the best activity I have ever decided to commit to and I will never take it for granted.

Your everyday girl,

Sara

P.S I made a video of this blog on Instagram – you’re welcome to join me there to watch it.

P.S My sister and I are currently rewatching The Walking Dead. We’re on season 9 and I forgot how good this show was.