20 Things I've Learned While Walking Daily

When we went home to Canada earlier this year, the children and I did a lot of walking as public transport was very expensive and walking is a great way to explore and pay attention to your surroundings as you chat about the similarities and differences between two places. After we came back to Northern Ireland I wanted to continue walking for physical and mental health. In July I walked over 100 miles (188km), and August will walk over 150 miles if it doesn’t rain too hard. While spending so much time on my own, I have had lots of time to think…here’s what I’ve learned about walking daily.

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You can use walking to lose weight. It isn’t a fast way to do it, but it is consistent.
My clothes fit better – that’s good in some items, but for others it means they’re too big and I’m not quite the right size yet for the next size down.
It’s free (except for the cost of shoes, which are ever-increasing and buying new clothes when the old ones no longer fit)
Each tracker I’m using gives me a different step count and distance…but I have been using two because there’s always going to be one that fails due to battery power or some other tech issue.
Walking takes a long time! Time I could be using for other things (like writing or making money or cleaning, or, or, or). But I should be able to get a little faster over time.
Hills are not my friend (the same goes for stairs). I was raised in a flat city in the middle of the prairies; my muscles did not develop to accommodate steep inclines. But through perseverance, the hills are becoming slightly easier (but not yet the stairs).
Walking in quiet areas away from traffic is the perfect time to listen to the audio books I purchased last year but have not had time to ‘read.’ I cannot listen to audio books at home because I become distracted while multitasking or my mind wanders to what I should be doing. While walking I can listen intently while still paying attention to my surroundings. Win-win!
I had to purchase a new set of earphones so that I could listen to said audio books or music without calling attention to myself or annoying other people while listening on my phone’s speaker. I don’t like ear buds but don’t want the heaviness of headphones, and I found a great set that does work for me, and is also waterproof (a necessity).
If you think you are alone and try to go over the dance routine you’re learning – you’ll be caught in action!
Walking is not very fun when you’re in a super downpour for 2 hours and it takes days to dry your clothes.
You will see many things along the way you may not have noticed previously. Plants, birds, architectural aspects…
Walking is a good time to clear your head and either go over the things you need to, or to put everything out of your head.
Walking is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the seaside.
It’s also a great way to enjoy the beauty of the countryside.
Sometimes the countryside also stinks after slurry has been spread on a field or someone has not cleaned up after $#*1 falls off their truck.
Although walking daily is great exercise, it’s also bad for plantar fasciitis. My heel and Achilles tendon are so sore.
Walking in old shoes may result in wearing holes in the backs of your expensive compression socks (purchased for said foot issues).
Going for walks allows Phil and the children to spend some time alone without me there nagging at them to tidy up or do their work.
You can meet some interesting characters while walking.
And finally…I’ve learned I can walk until the cows come home (about 18 km or until my heel is too sore) but I cannot run. That resulted in doctors’ appointments and being told “don’t do that.” I may try again…but not this month!