Day 4: Soul stroll

Being mindful by going for a walking meditation around my neighbourhood:

I’ve come to deeply appreciate my walking meditations, a stroll around the neighbourhood that fill my soul with joy.

I’ve always enjoyed a good walk; it’s one of the things I miss the most since becoming unwell.

I used to go on long walks all the time: coastal tracks, forest hikes and countryside strolls. Living in Australia, I’d often start the day with a walk by the sea, and take an invigorating power walk at lunchtimes.

I love being outside and was feeling pretty depressed about being cooped up in the house – mainly in my bedroom – all day long, every day.

As part of my recovery plan, I started taking short walking meditation around my neighbourhood. I was resistant to the idea at first, wondering how I could possibly enjoy a walk around the houses?! How could it begin to measure up to my Aussie daily coastal walks?

I gave it a go, and soon discovered the perfect circuit. Needing to start slow, this takes around 10 minutes, and has nature to admire in abundance to admire: including a green open space with a brook running through it, magnificent trees and bushes, flowers and birds.

Most days, if wellness allows, I walk this circuit and try to tune out my thoughts and focus on my senses instead.

On this perfect English summer day, I saw the birds perched in the magnificent trees as the branches swayed in the breeze, the winding brook that is now low in water, the dogs playing happily together while their owners watched on, the colourful flowers in full bloom, and the sweeping hills and farmers’ fields in the distance.

I listened to the birds chirping, the dogs barking excitedly, their owners chatting, and the wind gently rustling the leaves on the trees.

I felt the coolness of the gentle wind against my skin, the warmth of the sun shining down, and the tickling of the long uncut grass on my feet and ankles.

It was pure bliss and I arrived back home feeling happy and grateful that I took the time to appreciate all that Mother Nature has to offer.

So with that in mind, my happy for today is being mindful by going for a walking meditation around my neighbourhood.

8 thoughts on “Day 4: Soul stroll”

  1. I’m with you in this one.mi find nature so healing and when I get totally absorbed in looking at the amazing beauty around me I am in a sense meditating as I am not thinking, just being. My gorgeous little Paddington (a miniature poodle, not the bear!) that I recently received is doing me the world of good by getting me out for a walk every day. Like you I have to be extremely careful to pace myself due to CFS so today’s outing involved sitting on several benches and a boardwalk while Paddington ran and pottered about enjoyed the delightful smells and sights while I just observed in wonder at how amazing the universe is. I’d forgotten and Paddington is giving me all this awareness back.

    1. Hello lovely. I’m so glad that Paddington is helping you get out and enjoy all the beauty that surrounds us. It really is healing. Sounds like you’ve got the pacing sorted too with little stops along the way 🙂

      1. Some days I get the pacing right but other days I get it hopelessly wrong!!! It’s a big learning curve but I’m getting ther 🙂 xxx

        1. I’m not surprised my lovely, it’s such a big change for you. Sending you love as you gently settle into your new routine 🙂

  2. Beautiful post! You have inspired me to get outside for a walk today – although I don’t think mine will be as mindful because I am going to take our big dog with me lol.

    1. Thank you lovely Marnie. I’m so happy you were inspired to go for a walk with your dog – it’s always fun to watch what our 4-legged friends get up to when out and about, so your soul stroll could be mindful that way. Enjoy 🙂

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