For some reason, I decided to walk to work today.
Maybe because I was curious how long it would take.
I live just shy of 6 miles away from my office.
A 6 mile walk to work doesn’t really sound like a big deal. And it isn’t.
But it’s interesting what goes through your head as your walking. At least, what went through my head as I was walking.
I have the luxury of owning my own small business, so I knew I wouldn’t get in trouble for showing up late.
But there are a lot of things to be accountable for. There is work that needs to be done. And in this culture of hustle and more, it felt indulgent to spend time simply walking and reading.
Oh yeah, and my phone died within 10 minutes of starting.
I can’t say I didn’t have a lot of guilt. And there were definitely a lot of times that I thought I was stupid for doing it, or that I was wasting time, or that my feet kind of hurt. I definitely got very hot while I was wearing my puffy coat and glove and beanie, and yet, parts of me were still freezing.
All in all, it took me about 1.25 hours longer to walk to work than it does to drive. But when I drive, I don’t get to read. I do get to plan for the day, but not while my blood is pumping. I’m a kinesthetic sorter so moving helps me think.
The truth is, I’m not all that efficient in the morning while in the office anyway. So, instead of checking out linkedin, and reading countless articles on medium, I was getting exercise, reading a book, and planning my day.
And yet, it still feels like when I’m at my desk, that’s where I’m supposed to be. But it felt good to walk. And it feels good to go against the grain and face the consequences, if any.
My feet are a little tire, but I chalk that up to poor selection of footwear.
I suspect I’ll make a new tradition.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
—Henry David Thoreau.