Then…
The sun was beating down just before the storm came.
I’d recently failed my driving test, and the last thing I wanted to do was have to walk home in the heavy rain
Dressed for the sun, where I lived was miles away, and my t-shirt was already drenched through. I decided to bail out of the wet stupid weather and visit my nana who wasn’t too far.
When I arrived she welcomed me with a smile, delighted to see her grandson.
As I got out of my soaking clothes, I complained about having to walk everywhere. When I finally passed my test I would never walk again!
My nana, as someone whose health had rapidly declined through the years, called me out in this. She pointed out that I should be more thankful that I’m capable of walking, unlike her who was now in a position where she found it difficult to move around the house.
Shame filled me at my brattish outburst, how ungrateful did I sound?
She told to walk as much as I can, while you can, because mobility isn’t something to be taken for granted and can easily be taken away from you.
These words stayed with me.
Today…
Two neglected letters sit on the breakfast bar. I’d been meaning to get them posted all week, but with work, kids, and life getting in the way I hadn’t found the time to get some stamps.
Note to self… make sure not to neglect popping to the shops today, and get those letters sent.
Hours later, I’m occupied by meetings, where I currently sit in a project risks call… it’s as fascinating as it sounds.
I begin to drift in and out with thoughts going elsewhere to keep me going. Just 15 more minutes and I can finally get out for a walk to buy those stamps.
45 minutes later, the call ends abruptly, too many people become frustrated at it over running, going through a risk log is not something you should spend nearly two hours going through.
Finally, just as my opportunity arises, a cloud appears overhead and darkens the room. Rain.
Just as I debate whether to be lazy and leave it until tomorrow, I remember my nana’s words.
I’ll get my coat.
It’s cold outside, and the humid air takes my breath away setting off a cough I’ve had for a month that just won’t go away. I head past the neighbour’s car parked on the road, a big blue Ford Kuga, and as I begin my walk, taking pleasure getting lost in my own thoughts as I depart my quiet street.
10 minutes go by and my day dreaming gets interrupted by a big blue car speeding past. It’s the neighbour. I return to my thinking.
As I turn into the store, I see all the cars parked up, along with my neighbours blue Ford.
Does nobody walk anymore?
Benefits to walking
The journey from my house to the store takes less than 15 minutes when walking, and outside of someone having a severe disability I can’t get my head around the fact someone would choose to drive when you live in a nice, safe and peaceful area.
People should walk more. In my opinion if more people did, we could avert the massive healthcare crisis that is being caused because people don’t exercise enough.
There are lots of benefits to walking, as I have a regular workout routine, I always view any extra time walking as bonus exercise, allowing the blood to flow through my body as I move.
Because of it’s low impact nature, it’s ideal for people who are out of shape, or overweight as a gateway introduction to exercise.
If you spend 30 minutes a day walking not only does it help with fitness, bone strength, muscle power and body fat, it also helps reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers (Reference: Fitness Together).
How great is walking?
Anyway, the whole point of this post was an excuse to talk about how great walking is and why you should do it more…
Next time you need to go somewhere – ask yourself
“Do I really need to drive there?”
If not take the opportunity to help your health and wellbeing… go for a walk.
Wishing you the best in your success.
James @Perfect Manifesto.
Perfect Manifesto 
I walk every day, so I fully endorse this post, James. As somebody who dislikes going to the gym, walking is my way of keeping myself in shape mentally and physically. It also helps me sleep much better. If I go a few days without walking, my sleep pattern soon becomes disturbed.
Having two dogs also helps because they need their walks as much as I do.
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Thanks for your comment Hugh.
There is something about walking that makes me go tired so I can see how it helps with your sleep – I’ve feel asleep in the car as a passenger many times after a walk!
And dogs are brilliant for walking- they help get you in that routine out of their necessity!
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I used to walk all the time, preferred it to getting public transport. I also never bothered to learn to drive. I even tried to see how long it would take to walk to uni rather than catching three buses, but it turned out to be a very very long walk ha ha ha and I couldn’t be doing that first thing in the morning.
After screwing my knees up and being given a freedom pass, I walk a lot less. My knees and back will descend into agony after only walking a short distance nowadays, which is annoying. But hopefully the yoga I’m doing will help sort my back and knees out so I can walk more again
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Something I noticed from learning to drive is how lazy it made me! I used to walk/run/cycle everywhere!
With your walk to uni did you ever walk part of the journey so it eliminate one of the buses?
Sorry to hear about your knees – yoga is pretty good for strengthing/recovering from injuries – hopefully you see some benefits!
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It wasn’t very far to skip one of the buses, but bus travel costs are capped after so many bus trips in a day, so the cost was the same no matter what I did
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we could all do a bit more walking. and it’s nice to have the words of your nana as a reminder…
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Thanks, as you can imagine I was out walking when the inspiration to write about this came up!
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that doesn’t surprise me at all. Perhaps more walks will be in your future!
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Been walking a lot recently and apart from the soles of me feet hating me, the mind and body is thanking me. Im with you on this
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Definitely! I’m a home work so appreciate just getting out the house.
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When I was a child my parents used to practically drag me and my brother out for walks. I’m so glad they did!😀
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I was the same as a child, my dad insisted on these long walks!
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A beautiful rumination. Walking is indeed great. It’s a shame that so many areas in the USA aren’t that conducive to it. I find myself just walking around the house outside some nights!
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That’s a shame – I know when I went to the USA I’d find point where the roads just seemed to stop you walking any further but figured that was a way of keeping the tourists trapped in!
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Hah! Maybe in some areas. Up here in rural New England, things are either too far away, or there are no sidewalks.
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It was actually in New England this happened, can’t remember the name of the town but I could walk about 200m before the sidewalk disappeared and it all became road.
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I love how walking not only is great for my health but it clears my mind and spirit! I’m lucky to live in an apartment complex where many of us walk all around the streets pretty much daily!
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There is something really good about it that clears your head and get ready to take on any challenges being faced!
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Right?! Gets me straightened out!! 😊
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