IMPRESSIONS AND CONTEMPLATIONS FROM A WALK OUTSIDE

On most good weather days my husband and I take a walk around our neighborhood. The total distance is approximately 1.7 miles, and it takes us about 30 minutes. We don’t stroll, but we don’t really hurry either. The walk is for exercise and for time together.

Rarely are our walks together silent. We talk about anything and everything under the sun. No one can hear us. There are no children to eavesdrop, so we can discuss any topic we want. We often talk about our hopes and dreams for the future. It’s a testament to our relationship that those always align.

We Learn Alot About Our Community

When we walk around our neighborhood we can observe community life without sticking our noses into our neighbors’ business. Although we don’t really know all of our neighbors, it’s interesting how much we can find out about them by just observing their property as we walk around.

We can see who is having their house remodelled, who is moving, who just had a baby, or who has a child graduating. We can tell by the signs in their yard what political party they support. We can tell who’s on vacation by the absence of their usual cars and the high grass. We can tell who likes flowers by the flowers in their yard. We know who has dogs and who doesn’t, because they bark when we walk by.

We Get To Know About Our Neighbors

Sometimes we see other neighbors walking around. We greet them and keep moving. As neighbors drive past us, my husband always throws up his hand in a wave. They all wave back.

By observing who is in the car, then we know where they live because we know where the car sits. Almost none of our neighbors use their garage for their cars. They use their garages for storage, so their cars sit in their driveways. We can match up the car to the person to the house. That enables us to put a “face” with a house.

One of our neighbors has a newer model corvette. We have talked to him because he was out in his driveway cleaning that car. We are car buffs, so it was fun to stop and talk cars with him.

Sometimes we can tell what job they have by what’s in their driveway. We have a police officer who used to be a sheriff. He previously parked his sheriff’s car in the driveway, but once he changed to the police department he parks his police car there.There are pest control trucks, contractor trucks, and delivery vans from places of employment scattered all throughout the neighborhood.

Our Neighborhood Has Plenty of Greenery

Another thing I like about walking around our neighborhood is being out in nature. Our neighborhood has large yards, and lots of trees. There are still some wooded areas in our neighborhood, and we can see and hear frogs and birds. We sometimes run into the occasional snake trying to get across the street. We leave them alone.

I love to smell the flowers and hear the birds. We are not bird watchers, so I couldn’t tell you the names of all of the birds, but it is a joy to hear them. Sometimes my husband will whistle and mimic a bird call. That’s always a little comic relief.

Our Neighborhood Is Quiet

Our neighborhood is peaceful. Walking around the neighborhood really highlights that. The houses sit far enough from the road that you can’t hear people or TVs. You only hear when a dog barks. But mostly, it’s quiet.

Sometimes I walk around the neighborhood by myself.  There is no danger here. I can walk without fear of anything happening to me. We are not in a city. Our neighborhood is a subdivision away from any downtown area, so there is no worry about being a victim of a crime.

My solitary walks are time to think. I think about life, the future, how to improve myself or improve things for my family. I work through problems. I can’t really deep think when I am with my husband because those are talking times. But when I am alone on my walk my mind is allowed to wander.

Walking Outside Reduces Stress

Walking alone is a stress reducer for me. No one is calling me to do something for them. No one is talking to me. No one is expecting me to solve their problems. It’s just me, the trees, the birds, and the occasional passing neighbor. 

The best word I can use to describe it is tranquil. Don’t get me wrong – I love taking walks with my husband. I love those walks and look forward to them. But I also like to walk alone sometimes. Every so often I need to clear my mind of clutter.

Walking alone is sort of like reflection time for me. I relax and let my mind go from one thing to next. No worries, no stress, just calmness.

It would be my suggestion that you start to take a walk outside as often as you can. Even if you live in a city, you can take a walk around your block. Who knows – you will learn about your community and neighbors. Or, if you are unable to walk in your neighborhood, there are always parks with trails to walk. It’s good exercise, and it’s a good stress reliever. In today’s trying times, we need as much reduction in stress as we can get.