Unplug to Plug-In
A fifteen-minute walk is more than exercise.
In most homes, the evening is centered around dinner and conversation. It’s nice to reconnect with family after they’ve been at work all day and I’ve been stuck inside my head, trying to write. But sometimes, I’m so deep into my writing that it’s hard to switch gears, so the cooking might fall to someone else and the conversation becomes too noisy.
Instead of fighting against the uncomfortableness of the noise, I have to step away, even if it means going into a quieter room. The other night, I decided I needed to go for a walk, so I put on my sneakers and announced that I was going out.
The act of simply stepping outside gave me an immediate sense of peace and calm. I don’t think of walking as strictly exercise. Exercise, to me, is something that feels like a chore, like sit-ups or push-ups. Those are fine, too, but I choose to do something I enjoy and that feels good to me.
I picked up my pace and chose a different route than usual. I don’t listen to music when I walk. I know people who listen to music to set the pace, or they listen to podcasts or even audiobooks. Not me. That’s my time to be present, to listen to the buzzing of cicadas, bird song, my own footsteps. To not only notice the vibrant colors of flowers in people’s yards but to smell the flowers as well.
On this particular walk, I came upon a peach tree that was loaded with peaches. I wished the homeowners had been outside so I could’ve asked if I could pick a few. Instead, I admired how big the tree was, how many peaches it held, and the canopy of shade that it offered. As I continued on, I wondered if I would’ve noticed the tree had I been absorbed in an audiobook, podcast, or music. My guess is no, and this is why I unplug to plugin: to be fully aware.
Upon my return to the house, I felt refreshed, energized, and centered. Our days are filled with so much noise and busyness, we owe it to ourselves to unplug for just a little while, even if only for a fifteen-minute walk.
