It’s that time again! Last year some of you joined me in the #Walk30Days challenge and . . . guess what? 365 days have passed since then! Time to pull out your flip-flops (yes, flip flops, because I’m totally not committed enough to buy special shoes) and take a daily walk. Besides, May is National Walking Month in the UK. What better reason do you need?
What is this walking craziness?
Walking. I know, what an odd concept, eh? 😉 I was inspired last year to try and get myself outside at least once a day, so much so that I wrote about how daily walks help your creativity. We’ve become a sedentary nation and the adventure is just waiting for us outside. I managed to get outside mostly every day last time, even just for a 2-minute walk, and it left me eternally inspired. Did I continue walking every day after that? Um . . . no. But hey, one month a year is progress! 😉
The point is not to have pedometer wars or to start some new exercise plan. The point is to get outside. To move those legs. To rediscover the world that can only be found beyond your front door.
I’m going to step outside every day this month (or, at least, try to) and post one picture on my social media using the hashtag #Walk30Days. And you are invited to join me. 😀
Photo from last year’s #Walk30Days
Why should I care about walking?
Um, let me count the reasons:
- Because walking is better for your health (yes, even you young spry teenage whippersnappers!)
- Because walking stimulates creativity. (Hear that, authors?)
- Because C. S. Lewis did it so . . . duh.
- Because of this quote:
Most writing is done away from the typewriter, away from the desk. I’d say it occurs in the quiet, silent moments, while you’re walking or shaving or playing a game… – Henry Miller
- Because you can be like Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli!
- Because this is God’s creation, and how do you expect to replicate it in your own life if you don’t know it intimately?
- It allows for quiet time in a loud busy world.
The #Walk30Days challenge
*throws down gauntlet* You dare not refuse me! 😉 I’m challenging (okay, I’m inviting…but “challenge” sounds so much more epic) you to:
- Walk once a day for 30 days. 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 300 minutes (for the over-achievers) . . . whatever you can squeeze in, do it.
- Post a photo from your walk on social media using the #Walk30Days hashtag. I’m doing a little “book-in-nature” goal to take photos of — you guessed it — books in nature. So expect some pretty little books by pretty little flowers, interrupted by the occasional dorky selfie. I’ll be alternating by posting on Instagram and on Twitter.
That’s it! Since I’m moving in a month, I want to make sure to spend my last month in the lovely nature of Wydaho (that’s Wyoming and Idaho, if you didn’t know) with intentionality. There’s hidden beauty everywhere — beyond your home, no matter how long you’ve lived there. And it’s our duty to find it. (Tweet this)
Photo from last year’s #Walk30Days
Bustin’ the excuses:
I’m borrowing these excuse-busters from last year’s post.
“My schedule’s too packed.” That’s what I thought when I first considered the idea of a daily stroll. And then, suddenly, with my cup of hot tea in hand and the morning chatter of birds waiting for me outside . . . it became a necessity. A habit. A joy. It just takes intentionality to make time.
“I don’t have energy.” Then start small. Start with a walk to the mailbox and back. Five minutes. The next day, try six minutes. Ten. Fifteen. The energy will come.
“I have kids!” Take them with you! I know this is coming from a woman who doesn’t have any children yet, but show your kids your good habits. Let those habits leak into their minds. Encourage them to explore, be creative, be outside!
“I live in a city.” You’d be surprised what can be inspiring. And besides, your route is already mapped out for you with sidewalks!
“Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. My body won’t let me.” Allergies or hurting knees or the flu? Try just opening a door and sitting on the doorstep for a bit with a cup of cocoa or lemonade. Just breathe in the outdoors for a bit.
“Rain! Snow! Sleet!” Bring an umbrella. 😉 Two minutes is all I ask.
Photo from last year’s #Walk30Days
Tips to get the most out of your short walk:
- Leave your phone at home or in your back pocket on silent. Use only for your walk photo! 🙂
- Bring a small journal or notebook with you and take notes on the ideas that you stumble across.
- Don’t soundtrack your walk. No tunes! Rediscover the sounds of life.
- Have a destination. The mailbox. The coffee shop. The watering hole. (Wait, huh?) Maybe even bring a book with you so that you can sit at your destination and read!
- Go alone, if you can. There’s a reason we do intentional things like writing, journaling, praying, alone. The brain can breathe a bit easier and think a little clearer.
- Try to walk a little further each day. I take a little pedometer with me. The first day, I tried to break 1,000 steps, which may sound like a lot to some and a little to others. The next day I shot for 1,300. You could measure yours by minutes, or distance, or steps.
- Pray while you do it! This isn’t a must, but it’s a great opportunity to spend more quality time with the Lord.
Not sure if you can commit to a full 30 days? That’s okay! Try it as long as you can.
When does this madness start?
Well, May 1st isn’t until Sunday, but I’m going to start while I’m motivated which means. . .TODAY! Special golden-chocolate ninja star to those who join me early. Get those brain neurons firing and working on ideas. And share your first picture with me. 🙂 (This is not optional. 😉 )
Even if you don’t join, what do you do to keep active and creative?
I’m in! Whoooo! I think I’ll start today, too. 😉
Yay! I figured if I start early, that leaves me with cushion. 😉 Especially since we’re moving at the end of May.
This sounds like fun! I might join you! 🙂
I hope you do! 😀
I’m in. I loved doing this last year. ?
I loved your participation from last year! 🙂 <3 Yay!
I’m in! I’ll definitely post pictures of my beautiful neighborhood and perhaps they’ll include elk!
Ooh! I want to see an elk! Just don’t get TOO close. 😉
*ninja warcry*
Let’s do this!! 🙂 🙂
*CHAAAAAARGE!* 😉 Glad you’re joining!
I’m in! I have joined the Piedmont Family Fitness Challenge here in NC, so this can help me and my kids get some extra activity points. Accountability is always good for me, too. Thanks!
Killing two birds with one stone, I see. 😉
Of course!
*raises hand* I’ll join you! 😀
Yay! I’m so glad and I’m excited to see your picture! 🙂
This sounds exactly like something I should do since I’m awful at getting outside. I don’t have Twitter or Instagram, but I’ll take pics anyway and do a blog post on it all at the end of the month. 😀
That sounds great! Looking forward to the blog! 🙂
i think I’ll do this! 🙂
is it okay if I post my pictures on G+?
Yes of course! 🙂
Okay I will do this…. I need to…. it will give my computer chair a rest.
LOL, you and me both!
Hmm, I’d like to give this a try. Sounds like good motivation to put more of a purpose in walking out the door.
I know it helps me get out the door every day. 🙂
Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me. I’m a total indoor homebody, and I need to get outside more, so this will be great. Let’s see if I can actually do it without missing any days! 🙂
Oh good! YOU CAN DO THIS!
I’m in!! I’m ready to get inspired on my daily walks whether spiritually, physically or emotionally! Does rollerblading count? 😛
Rollerblading not only counts, but it gets extra points. 😉
Yes, I’m totally doing this! I love to walk around here, and right now it’s raining, which is when I like to walk!
Me too, I love walking in the rain! I take my kids out and my 4 yr old will jump in puddles 🙂
I enjoy walking in the rain, too! As long as I have an umbrella. 😉
Nadine you’re moving??? omg ahh! Where to?
Sorry I’m nosy. Anyhow – I used to live really close to the American River (out here in California) and we used to walk over there often in the spring/summer evenings when we were first married. I usually take my kiddos for a walk b/c I hate being cooped up at home, but there’s no sidewalks around here, which is annoying. But I should totally do it more. I may join in the hashtag, (Probably won’t post pics of kids on twitter thou). This is a fun challenge! Every month there’s been some kind of challenge going on. Thank you Twitter lol
This looks like fun. I hope I can get all the photos and maybe do an end of the month post!
//hannah
hannahrodriguezwriter.wordpress.com
I’m in! My mom and I are going to do this, though there may be a lack of pictures… I didn’t see this post until the 30th, though, so we started on time. xP