There are 24 hours a day. Some of those hours belong to sleep. Others are devoted to caring for my family. Additional hours are spent on work. But amidst all these commitments, one hour each day is dedicated solely to me—or perhaps, the absence of me.
My morning walks have transformed my life, one step at a time. I’ve always turned to walking in times of stress or wrestling with challenges, but these walks were often sporadic. That changed in the Fall of 2021 when Libby Delana’s book, Do Walk, inspired me to make walking a daily habit. In her writing, she shared her commitment to walking every single day of the year. She shared that her morning walk became a “serendipitous pilgrimage of sorts.”
In a world where I struggle to stick with my habits and finish things in general, this single practice I gifted myself with has remained unwavering. While I can’t claim I’ve never missed a day, I walk most days without fail. The inner voice of resistance, as Stephen Pressfield describes best, is an internal force keeping you that opposes creativity and personal growth, manifesting as self-doubt, procrastination, and fear, ultimately hindering you from pursuing true passion and goals, has proven to be a cunning adversary even when doing something I enjoy. This little antagonist often justifies skipping my walk, but I’ve learned to push through.
Initially, my walks were fraught with boredom and frustration. I couldn’t escape my thoughts; I expected to have all of life’s puzzles solved by the time I returned from my stroll. I aimed to multitask, hoping to walk faster, then start jogging, and maybe even run. I even sought to combine walking with reading to be more efficient.
This mindset began to taint my perception of the act of walking. So, I decided to change my approach. I stripped away all expectations and gave myself the gift of one hour alone—away from the clamor and demands of daily life. That’s how it began. What started as a humble 15-minute walk soon escalated to an hour, then to an hour and a half, and my miles increased in tandem. Sometimes, I felt like Forest Gump, compelled to walk endlessly until I felt better; the thought exhilarated me. But reality intruded, reminding me of my responsibilities. So, I compromised. I made a pact: I would carve out just one hour.
I don’t see my walks strictly as a form of exercise, even though three miles a day might typically suggest a weight loss benefit. The reality is that my eating habits haven’t always aligned with my goals, and that’s perfectly okay. The essence of my walks transcends weight management.
What I have gained is far more enriching: mental clarity, mood enhancement, and insights from what feels like some muse or higher power, as I cannot fully explain the enlightenment I experience. As Henry David Thoreau wisely stated, “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”
I’ve given myself this simple gift- mindfulness, reflection, and peace—which has opened doors to insight and inspiration I never anticipated. I now carry a notepad, pen, and Evernote app to capture the flood of thoughts and ideas I encounter during these walks. The abundance of inspiration is so rich that I refuse to let a single spark of creativity fade from memory.
Closing Thoughts In our busy lives, carving out time for ourselves can feel like a luxury, yet it is necessary to nurture our well-being. Walking and embracing moments of stillness are not just acts of self-care; they are pathways to clarity and inspiration. I encourage you to find your hour each day—step into stillness, embrace the transformative power of walking, and witness how it enriches your life in ways you could never imagine. Your journey starts with a single step.
