Discovering Purposeful Walking

In an especially humourous episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David is invited by two friends - who are avid walkers - for a stroll. David, in his famously crusty tone, gives a flat 'no' after determining the walk is 'purposeless.' His friends push back saying the walk is the purpose. He doesn't buy it.

I can understand David's point. I have always been about the destination and the purpose more than the journey.

Larry David turning down a purposeless walk

As part of repositioning after leaving my decades-long career in healthcare communications, I had to find a more balanced attitude toward walking. Discovering purposeful walking was my goal.

First, I had to walk more.

My work life was somewhat sedentary, but it was at the hospital I worked that I met an amazing volunteer named Harry who had surpassed his 100th year easily. When I asked him what his secret was, his answer was quick and clear - walking. Walking for the sake of walking.

It's called other things as well now - including nature bathing - but the effects are the same Harry swore. It can help clear your head, move your limbs, and expand your lung capacity, and he also argued it staves off dementia and Alzheimer's.

It also offers many social outlets, walking with other walkers, meeting others along the way, and discovering new places.

I was emboldened by Harry's words.

And as my official exit from work approached, I worked out a plan to walk, marrying one of my loves with walking. Dogs.

Chester and me on a walk one cold, winter day.

I've had dogs most of my life and always enjoyed spending time with these amazing creatures. Thunderbolt - dog walking!

I found some furry clients and the results were stunning. My busiest month in the last year was November, walking almost 662,000 steps. November 2021? Less than a third of that with 207,000 steps.

I walked my clients 364 times in the last year, almost one a day. But dog walking wasn't the only source of the 4,342,797 steps I took in the last year.

I walked everywhere - to the grocery store, pharmacy, library, restaurants, and bars to see friends. I hiked, I walked the cobblestone streets of Lisbon, and the potholed sidewalks and paths of Toronto.

Walking also became less about the destination and more about the experience. Walking remarkable streets in interesting neighbourhoods. Stopping to check out cafes and bakeries new to me. Taking in the seasons and all their hallmarks.

I had balance - I had merged Harry and Larry's perspectives on walking and created my own walking world. I hope you can find your pace too.

NOTE: I've learned a lot about everything essential for walking - shoes, apparel, backpacks and more for all seasons - stay tuned for a future blog on what works for me.