Why I Walk Alone

By Christine Ann Te Stroete

People often ask me why I walk alone. “Don’t you get bored? Lonely? How can you walk without an iPod? How can you walk by yourself and not talk to anyone?”

My reasons for walking alone are selfish. I want to be alone. I need this time for myself. I walk alone to keep my sanity. Life today is so fast paced and hectic that walking alone helps me slow down and breathe. It clears my head. I can hear myself think. It gives me peace of mind. My walks are my own.

I walk alone because it gives me time to think about what is going on in my life. I can think about what is bothering me or what is good in my life. It gives me time to think about my problems and to look at them from different angles and ponder different options and ask what if. What if I take this road? What if I do this? Answers to questions and problems come to the surface when I’m walking.

Walking alone gives me quiet time to listen to the voice inside. The voice that tries to get my attention, but with all of the hustle and bustle of my life I don’t hear it or choose not to. Walking alone gives me a chance to look at my life and see where I am and where I want to go. It gives me the space to set goals and figure out how I’m going to get to where I want to be.

When I walk alone no one has any expectations of me. I can do what I want. If I’m angry I can talk to myself (hopefully there’s no one listening!) and get my anger out. If I’m down I can be my own cheerleader and/or give myself a pep talk. If I’m unsure about things I can repeat positive affirmations over and over again. If I don’t want to think about anything and want to look around and enjoy my surroundings I can do that, too. I can walk where and when I want to, even if it’s the same path time after time.

I walk alone to find the real me. The me that I buried a long time ago. Walking alone gives me the opportunity to sort through the past and come to terms with it. I can let the demons I’ve been running from come to the surface.

On these days I release all of the old stuff from the past — anger, resentment, hatred, sadness, and whatever else I’ve been holding onto with every step I take. I don’t like to let go. I hang on to old stuff because I don’t know what the new is going to bring.

Walking alone helps me to let go. I tell myself it’s okay let go and let the new into my life. It will be okay. Walking alone heals me.

I walk alone because it helps me to feel better about myself. I am more confident. I feel beautiful and sexy. I feel good about taking the time to take care of my body. With every mile I walk I am sculpting my body. The pounds come off and my clothes fit better. I can close the button of my jeans without having to suck in my stomach. Yes! I feel better. I look better. My body craves these walks.

Walking alone is spiritual for me. I give thanks for the fresh air on my cheeks, the opportunity to walk and to listen to the birds singing. I give thanks for the wonderful life I have and that I am happy and healthy. I realize how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life, a wonderful job, and the beautiful house I live in with the awesome backyard that holds both of my gardens. I am blessed.

Walking alone helps me put things in perspective. My life looks better after I walk. I feel better after I walk. The stress of the day is gone. I don’t have all of that negativity from the day hanging over my head. All of the stray thoughts and feelings are sorted through. My head is clear. I can think clearly again. Walking alone is a gift I give myself.