Walking is something I used to do as a means of transportation, as simply the easiest and cheapest way of getting from Point A to Point B. But since Covid has confined us to our homes and the outside world becomes rationed, walking has taken on a new role in my life, becoming a constant part of my routine and a procedure that is necessary for my physical and emotional health. After more than a year of lockdowns and intense government guidelines I have curated my perfect walk, and it starts long before I ever step outside.
Some may think that for the perfect walk they don’t need to warm-up. And you know what? They might be right. But for me, to achieve my perfect walk, I can’t just step out the door. As I get older my hamstrings are tightening and even a simple stroll requires a few minutes of pre-walk warming up to get my blood moving. I like to start with a few casual stretches, nothing too strenuous, but a few toe-touches and a downward dog or two. Next, I’ll make sure I have all my necessary supplies. There’s nothing more frustrating than leaving the door for the day’s walk and then realising halfway through you missed out on crucial supplies. I stuff my pockets with a few emergency snacks – normally a few pretzels, or a chocolate-infused trail mix – my phone, and earbuds. No need to bring a wallet; I’m going walking, not shopping.
Once I’ve got all my supplies, the next step is leaving the house. This can be tricky as especially on the uglier rainy days this is where my walks have stalled in the past. The best advice I can give is simply to commit. As soon as you close the door behind you, the momentum and adrenaline will spur you on. But that moment before opening the door is understandably filled with terror and second-guessing. Don’t succumb! This walk is what you need and, anyway, you’ve already stretched. No going back now.
There’s no one right way to walk or terrain to choose. You can do so in silence, chatting with a friend, or, in my case, while listening to music. Each one of us will have a different purpose for their walk. Some do it to soak up the sunshine (on the few summer days) while others simply walk for exercise.
For me it’s a mix. I walk for exercise and to explore the nature outside. But I also do so to break up the monotony of daily life; an exploratory couple of hours in the time of Covid where we’re often bound to our homes. Music helps me enjoy the nature of the walk while providing a nice beat to get myself going. Usually I prefer to match the music to the weather. If it’s sunny I’ll go with something full of summer vibes and relaxing fun such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the winter as the wind smashes into my hooded face, it will be something grittier to match the darker vibes, grime artists such as Kano and Skepta fulfil this charge perfectly.
I also find that music helps me focus on deep thought. As someone with ADHD, if my mind is allowed to wander with full freedom it will head in all sorts of directions, and by the end I won’t even be able to remember what I’ve been thinking of. Those with attention deficit disorders and the less naturally focused will understand this feeling of forgotten wonderment where you’ve been in deep thought, but, almost like a dream, can’t seem to remember what about. Music helps focus my wandering mind ever so slightly, allowing my brain to run off in all sorts of directions yet keeping it grounded in consciousness.
Now that we’re out the door, enjoying the fresh air and listening to our pumping tunes, the rest of the walk is largely up to your own creative process and spontaneity. I enjoy going over the same path every day, the routine of the occasion helping me get in the zone and make the rest of my day run on a productive routine too. But it can also be nice to find new trails and enjoy new scenery. Timing is also up to your own personal preference. I look for my walks to reach at least 30 minutes, but there’s no right or wrong amount of time to enjoy strolling.
This really is the crux of THE perfect walk. I have developed my perfect walk through years of trial and error but for others it will be completely different. Ultimately walking is a personally intimate experience where one can enjoy their own company and wander deep into their own mind. As such, everyone’s walk will be different and that is exactly how it should be.
