Gratitude for Walking

I would've never thought that I'd find gratitude in walking.

Since Monday, I've been waking up around 6:30 AM for a morning walk. A budding meditation practice, of sorts, inspired by author and daily walker Libby DeLana. Her book Do/Walk wildly impacted my life and has inspired me to make some changes. I feel incredible about the choice and the commitment I've made to myself to get up and walk—no matter what. It's only day three, but if you knew how much of a morning person I am NOT, you'd understand that this is a big deal.

I would've never thought that I'd find gratitude in walking.

The hardest part for me was starting. Choosing to get my butt out of bed on Monday, September 20th, 2021, at 6:30 AM, was step one. I snoozed my alarm four times before finally being courageous enough to get up. I've been putting this off for weeks. There was always an excuse not to start. The bed was too comfy to roll out of. Five more minutes felt so good. Those five minutes almost always turned into another hour and then being woken up by screaming toddlers ready to get out of their rooms. My rising has rarely been peaceful. Truthfully, waking up can feel chaotic and overwhelming, which is painful for my anxiety. I have not been getting up intentionally for some time now. I've lost that luxury, but I am trying to find new ways to get it back. Something clicked over the weekend when I realized how sedentary I was being and how crappy I was feeling. I just felt blah and sad—unhappy with my life, body, work, everything. These very human feelings of despair remind me to get my shit together and fast. They remind me to step into my power and the discomfort of change. Deciding to walk is me finding something that will bring me a sense of joy, satisfaction, and commitment to myself. Being grateful was feeling harder and harder to access—hence why the past two newsletters haven't been on our regular Sunday schedule. I just haven't had it in me. I've been overthinking my gratitude moments, forcing them, even. That doesn't serve me, or you for that matter.

However, today, for the first time in a long time, I felt so grateful for intentionally getting out of bed for the third day in a row. It was raining, and I almost stayed home. But I didn't. I went. I plan to walk every single day until the end of the year. No matter the weather. I ordered a raincoat today—no excuses. I will be prepared. I intend to keep this promise to myself. Standing by what I say I'm going to do is essential to my self-care and internal processing. This feels more and more important these days than anything. No more self-abandonment in the name of I'm too busy, too tired, too comfortable to move, too whatever. I'm hopeful I'll be able to press through and keep this going.

We shall see.

After just three days, I'm surprised at how energized I feel. My creativity has felt really dull the past few weeks, and walking gives it room to resurface. I'm working on my next book, and this week, I've been able to start thinking more clearly about it—no pressure—just thoughts and creative possibilities. My route only takes 30 mins or so, and it's pretty short at 1.5 miles, but something is happening. I walked it twice yesterday, once in the morning and once in the evening with my 2-year-old. I think there's a new layer of self-accountability is emerging. I'm also being called to listen and pay attention. Not just to the pretty sounds of nature, which I love—but also to my surroundings for safety. My morning walks are calling me in to be alert. I'll be honest, after listening to Libby's audiobook, I was skeptical. My first thought was, "Wow, this is a good practice she has going. I could never." I realized how fear was trying to take over my curiosity for what this woman has been doing for her own personal practice. Her story inspired me, her why, and her straightforward/accessible approach to simply walking was fascinating. After listening to Do/Walk for the third time, I couldn't ignore the pulling on my heart to get up early, no excuses, and walk.

To say I am overcome by gratitude would be an understatement.

As Libby says:

slow down.

look up.

humbly learn.

step by step.

Calls to Action:

Leave a comment or send me an email about what is getting you out of bed in the morning. What feels challenging? What feels easy-ish?

Subscribe to my new YT channel (here). The first meditation audio/video goes live, Sunday.

Follow Libby on IG for inspiration to walk here.

Watch this.

Go for a walk then email me about how it was for you. I'd love to know!

gratitude@alexelle[dot com]