How I Tricked My Brain into Loving Daily Walks (And You Too)
Perhaps you should also try these strategies
I always loved the idea of taking a random stroll, especially during my breaks from work.
The reality? I struggled to find the motivation to lace up and step outside.
It felt like another chore.
And even when I did go, my mind would be filled with my looming deadline, old conversations I had with colleagues, and endless Instagram reels.
However, my walks have now become more exciting, and I always look forward to them.
All it took was changing up a few strategies.
My walking shifted completely after I discovered The Art of Noticing, a book by journalist Rob Walker.
Here, he talks about diverse ways we can spark creativity and find inspiration to discover joy in the everyday things of life.
Walker shared that when he walks, he likes to impose a mission or build a framework around it to add a little novelty and engagement to an activity that is “literally pedestrian.”
These are the three strategies from his book that helped me enjoy and truly look forward to walking.
#1 Listening to the natural sounds around me
Walker argued that “We’re so visually oriented that we miss a lot of things that are happening to our other senses.”
I began making my visuals less about listening to podcasts or music and more about listening to the sounds in my neighborhood.
On some days, it was the noises of clanking metal as construction workers went about their daily tasks. On other days, it was the shrieks of children at play as I passed by a school.
Leaving my headphones and focusing on listening to the sounds in nature helped direct my mind away from the demands of work and focus on the subtle sounds in nature.
The rule was clear: no more carrying headphones during my walk.
#2 Counting the plentiful things during my walk
Alongside listening to natural sounds, I began counting things that were popular in my neighborhood.
I started with blue items. During one walk, I decided to count blue items. Cars, the sky, birds, and even a Pomeranian (small dog) that had a tinge of blue on its face. I figured it must have had an ice cream.
I turned my walks into a treasure hunt.
I was truly engaging with the real world and training my brain to find beauty in the ordinary.
My walks were no longer a chore but sessions where I saw the world with fresh eyes.
#3 Counting items during my walk
Sometimes I pick something plentiful and start counting during my daily walks. It might sound silly, but it works.
As I walked along the neighborhood, I counted all types of fences and observed that 13 were picket fences. It seemed they were quite popular.
Another time, I spotted 18 dogs.
I enjoyed having a goal, as it kept me outside for longer. I felt lighter and more present.
You too can transform your walks through creative ways to make them more than brief pedestrian activities.
By adding a simple creative goal, you find that you will no longer spend time ruminating about work during your walk.
Instead, you will enjoy being one with nature and get back to work refreshed and ready to work on your goals.
So next time, give your walk a mission and watch your mind begin to expand.
Just as I found ways to engage my mind during walks, I also discovered how mastering online writing can create opportunities to earn more.
If you are looking to build a side income alongside your 9–5, learning to write effectively online can be a powerful step.
This way, your writing is not ignored, and you build an audience that you can offer services to.
This is the way I grew, and I also recommend: joining a writer’s club.
You’ll get everything you need to succeed. Zero fluff. Just proven strategies to hook readers and grow fast.
One of the students who invested in the club had this to say:
“It was one of the best decisions I’ve made to improve my writing. The first session was full of practical tips and simple, implementable steps. Using them transformed my writing quality immediately. And the biggest help is the feedback you provided on my writing samples.”
I would love for you to build your side income alongside your 9–5 with mentorship that truly works.
I want to join the writers’ club.
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