Walking Is My Comfort Zone

Summary

The author describes their passion for walking, particularly in the countryside, as a comforting and reflective activity, which has become an integral part of their life since September 2020.

Abstract

The author expresses a deep affection for walking, especially during the autumn season, as it brings a sense of excitement and energy. Initially starting daily walks out of necessity during the March 2020 lockdown, the author has since found solace and productivity in the act of walking without a specific purpose. The walks have become a cherished comfort zone, offering a sense of ease and reflection, particularly when immersed in nature. The author emphasizes the transformative and meditative nature of walking, drawing a parallel with a quote from Annabel Abbs' "Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women," which speaks to the gradual uprooting and acclimatization that walking provides. The article concludes with a thank you to Ellie Jacobsen for initiating the September Six Word Photo Story challenge on the theme of "Comfort."

Opinions

The author initially struggled with the concept of walking without a purpose but has since come to embrace and cherish it.
Walking in nature, particularly in the fields and forests outside the author's parents' village, is presented as a perfect setting for finding comfort and reflection.
The author feels a strong connection to the fall season, anticipating the changes it brings and the long walks that come with it.
The quote from Annabel Abbs suggests that walking allows for a gentle and reflective transition, contrasting it with the idea of being abruptly uprooted.
The author expresses gratitude towards Ellie Jacobsen for providing the inspiration for the article through a photo story challenge.

Morning walks. In the countryside. Alone.

With autumn as my favorite season, I feel a sense of excitement and energy each September, anticipating the bursts of fall colors, the crisp morning air, and the long walks I will be enjoying again once I bid adieu to the heat and humidity of summer.

I love walking for the sake of walking. To simply let my feet wander in no particular direction. To be on the move, one step after another, as I gaze at everything and nothing in particular.

That wasn’t always the case, however. When I first started my daily long walks, I couldn’t imagine walking for hours with no purpose, not doing anything, not being productive. I did it because it was March of 2020 and walking was the only outdoor activity I was allowed to engage in.

Today, I can’t imagine my life without my long walks.

It’s when I feel most comfortable, at ease, and reflective. That’s especially true when I walk out in nature, and since I happened to be visiting my parents earlier this month, the fields and forests outside their small village presented the perfect setting for a dive into my comfort zone.

I sure felt at home in more ways than one.

“Walking uproots us, slowly and gently. We have time to acclimatise, to adapt, to reflect. Instead of being ripped from our homeland, we are eased. It’s a different experience entirely.”

Annabel Abbs, Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women

Thank you Ellie Jacobsen for this month’s SWPS challenge!

Walking Is My Comfort Zone

September Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Comfort”

Morning walks. In the countryside. Alone.