Get out of the door!

Even if you don’t feel like it, go outside. Get dressed, wash your face, brush your hair, create movement. Get out of the door. I can’t tell for how many times I stood in front of the door, ready to go outside, but changed my mind and went back to bed, thinking “This is stupid. I don’t need to go outside”. Oh, yes you do!

Once you actually get outside, walk slowly, look around and pay attention to other people, how they’re dressed, how they talk or walk. Look at the trees, the shapes of the clouds. Feel your feet touching the ground with every step you’re taking.

I never liked walking without a purpose or direction. It made me feel disoriented, lost. I needed a plan, an arrow pointing to someplace, a finish line. Whenever I went outside it was because I needed something: a book from the library, food, or getting to classes. My mind was always full of thoughts, always looking for the next thing to do, not even seeing where I was going. I was a robot programmed to walk down an already set path, hurrying to get to my destination.

Taking slow walks just for the sake of walking required some practice. I still find it difficult, especially if I’m alone. But getting out of my bubble, noticing my surroundings, helped me declutter my mind, observe the changes in nature and be aware of how many things were happening around me.

So, have an open mind, an open heart. Breath. Walk. Observe.