5 Lessons from Doing a Morning Walk Every Day

“Keep the promises you make to yourself.” – me to me, and me to you

I’ve been walking every morning* since Nov 30, 2021. 

I was inspired by writer Alex Elle who shared Libby DeLana‘s book DoWalk – “One morning in 2011, I decided to go for a MorningWalk every day, no matter what.”

As both Alex and Libby posted Instagram Stories of their daily walks and lessons, I decided to do the same. 

You see, I had been feeling antsy. After two years of lockdowns, uncertainty, and working from home, my routine had gotten stagnant. I felt boxed in. I needed a change. 

So I made a promise to myself: I’m going to walk every single day for 30 days, and see how I feel. In the middle of winter. When it’s freezing cold outside. Bah humbug. 

According to Libby, a MorningWalk is “a practice. A mindset. A way forward. Ultimately, it is a path.” 

Let’s see where this path takes me.

*Disclaimer: Alriiiight, sometimes the walks happen in the afternoon or evening, but Libby says that’s okay!

Walking Every Morning: 5 Key Lessons (So Far) 

1. Change is Constant

Through my daily walks, I’ve seen how quickly the weather can change. One day it’ll be mild; the next I’ll wake up to a blizzard.   

Change is constant. It doesn't care about our feelings or how prepared we think we are. Some things will always be out of our control.

The lesson? Try to embrace the unknown, or at least, be open to it.

Sometimes the best plans are the ones that fall apart and become something different. Something better. 

2. Keep the Promises You Make to Yourself

There have been days where I’ve wanted to stay inside (hello, snow storm!).

But the walks where I’ve gone out in horrible weather have often become the most memorable.

I’ve either had a moment of clarity about a challenging situation or felt a sense of peace and accomplishment – as cheesy as it sounds.

It can be so easy to show up for everyone else and unintentionally put our own goals, dreams, and emotions on the back-burner. 

By keeping a simple promise, it’s been a reminder that I need to fill my cup too. 

3. Don’t Forget to Look Up 

Life is a blur and goes by quickly. 2020 was two years ago and feels like it was just yesterday. 

Don’t forget to take a moment to slow down, be present, and look up.  

4. Pay Attention to the Little Things 

The little things, like the birds chirping, a dog chasing a ball, a couple walking hand-in-hand.

The little things, like watching the sky change colour.

The little things, like feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin.

The little things, like the cool side of your pillow, the first sip of tea, or catching up with an old friend. 

Romanticize the little things; the mundane. Add them all up and they become your life. They become something magical.

5. Go At Your Own Pace

Something I’ve been leaning into lately is the idea that I’m only in competition with myself.

On some days, I walk for over an hour. On others, I’ll be out for 25 minutes.

Some days, I speed walk. And others are a leisurely stroll. 

Rather than comparing myself to the joggers or cyclists passing me by, I go at my own pace. 

These five lessons may seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest things can be the hardest to remember.

Walking has taught me that life is a matter of moments, decisions, actions, reactions, emotions, and figuring it out day by day.

It's challenging, and boring, and fun, and fulfilling, and it's everything and nothing at once.

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