An Issue and a Walk

I realized while not being able to sleep last night why I might have had an issue with some of my walks this semester, particularly the mall walk and my soul mate walk.

While I really like the outcome of my mall walk (photo at the top of this entry), I really disliked the feeling of breaking the rules or at least going against what is expected behaviour at the mall. Rearranging items that someone spent the time organizing felt wrong and I feared that being caught would result in an awkward or uncomfortable conversation with an employee of one of my favourite stores.

During my soul mate walk, I felt extremely uncomfortable with the requirement of talking to strangers. I didn't want to disrupt them and I would have gladly kept walking. It felt especially intrusive because I had to record and take pictures of our conversations. After reflecting on my discomfort, I think I would have much preferred to take a long walk, reflect or think, and observe those around me (and maybe should have considered an idea that allowed this).

After spending most of the weekend editing my soul mate walk video, I had walking on my mind and while lying in the dark trying to fall asleep I had a lot of time to think about all the walking I do. I realized I like to spend my walks for myself and my thoughts. Alone, I like to listen to music and reflect on my thoughts while walking. It may only be for the few minutes from one place to another or on the way to class, which may be the only time on some days that I have to think and reflect. If I am with someone, I find it a great time to have a meaningful conversation with someone. Maybe because it is so informal, we don't have to face each other, and you have something else to focus on (the action of walking).

This weekend I had a conversation with a friend about recent events in my life. Something that stuck with me was the response to me saying I will survive, he said something along the lines of sometimes it doesn't feel like it, does it? This was essentially the end of our conversation and I left to head home, which provided me with something to consider while I walked. The song playing on my iPod was right in line with my feelings at that moment and it was the perfect time of night to walk home (just before the sun set, amazing view). It felt like exactly the right conditions for thinking and despite the fact that I spent the whole walk home thinking, I actually felt calm.

I realized just before I fell asleep that maybe for me, walking is a much more intimate experience. For me, walking is for me and my thoughts.

My View on the Walk Home