I recently came across a post about what actually makes us happy. It appealed to me as it highlighted research that shows that rather than money and careers, what makes us happy, is relationships. I’ve always found it frustrating that people’s opening gambit is usually: “what do you do?” when the vast majority of us are simply working to pay the bills, our jobs don’t define us. So perhaps we should ask “what do you enjoy doing”? Anyway before I go too far off on this tangent here is the link to the original post:

The article talks about the importance of nurturing the positive relationships in our lives as ultimately this is what will bring us happiness. Which I wholeheartedly agree with and I’d also extend to include improving the relationships we have with ourselves. And this, dear reader, is where we get to the point (finally) as walking is a chance to get to know yourself better.

I appreciate that may sound a bit ‘out there’ but please bear with me. Walking is a chance to let your mind wander and while a lot of the time you may just be thinking what’s for dinner, there will be times when you’ll start thinking a bit deeper. Whether it’s reminiscing about a former pursuit or musing on the moments that make you happy, you’re bound to make realisations about yourself. It was while walking that I decided to set-up a blog. Like a lot of people I had day-dreamed about writing a novel but I soon realised I lack the skills & the talent for that! However I had always enjoyed writing posts so why not set up my own blog?

Of course you don’t have to have a eureka moment every time you go for a stroll. However it is nice to have time just to yourself and I appreciate walking isn’t the only way to do this. It could be a soak in the bath, a long bike ride, sunbathing or perhaps baking. But whatever it is I think it’s important to learn to enjoy your own company, I’m fortunate in that I’ve always been happy by myself but perhaps this is because I’ve always been a walker? I guess by walking regularly I’ve got used to always having that time to think things through, it’s a chance to get your head around things and develop your sense of self-awareness as well as working out what’s really important to you. It’s also a chance to think about which are the relationships that really matter to you and what you are going to do to nurture them. And I doubt those realisations will include spending more time with your boss or in the office.

I do feel like this post may have taken a stroll around the houses but hopefully I’ve managed to make some sense as well. Ultimately walking makes me happy as it gives me time to myself and it gives me time to think about, appreciate, and miss, the other important people and relationships in my life.

That’s how I stroll.

• The year of the stroll…
• Yew Year Stroll
• The best laid plans…
• Hiding in plain sight
• Holiday Strolls