When I was a little girl, my parents dragged us on many ‘bushwalks’. We would pile into the car, drive far into the rolling hills and tumble out somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
Step. Step. Step. Tumble.
Rocks were slick, ferns laced over winding and twisting paths. Trees towered overhead, watching. We trudged along reluctantly, finding waterfalls and stopping for a spell to watch the mist rise.
I didn’t love it. The predominant memories I retain from these experiences relate more to shortness of breath, steep upward climbs and spiders winding their silken webs across unsuspecting paths.
Walking seems to be such a worthwhile activity that I mentally rebuke myself for not enjoying it. We live in a friendly neighbourhood surrounded by paths and parks, but I would much rather load the kids into the car and drive a short distance than make the trek.
I feel at times that maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of wind whipping around my face as I push forward, the monotonous rhythm of my feet meeting the pavement.
Maybe I can still learn?
I’m trying something new this month – #Write31Days with a talented community of other writers. We free write for five minutes each day guided by a prompt. Today’s prompt is ‘walk’.
For more information on 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes, check out Christina Hubbard’s site!
12 comments
I’m with you, Emma. I know I’ll love the final destination; you know, those photos of the non-sweaty woman gracefully looking over the cliff to the shining sea beyond. But it’s hard to actually stop the busyness of life to want to spend that much time getting there. One day…
This was a lovely take on the word “Walk.”
See you tomorrow.
haha yes, that is definitely not the way I look whenever I do walk! Glad to hear I’m not the only one 😉
Never understood people who come here to trek. I enjoy leisurely walks but we had to walk to our language school in the middle of the city for several months due to a petrol crisis and it ruined me forever!
Ouch, yes, that would do it for me too! Trekking is a whole new level of crazy… my sister loves that but it definitely isn’t my thing!
Of course, you can still learn! 🙂
Yes, I suppose – definitely not like your walking experience!
I have the same temptation… easier to load into the car, but it SO REWARDING to get out and walk. Cheers to learning to walk 🙂
I just need to keep telling myself that! Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
Great post! Happy to connect with you via the Write 31 Days and 5MFW challenges. I’m excited to read more of your writing.
Thanks Heidi! I was very excited to discover your work this morning 🙂 Here’s to many more great connections xx
Maybe you don’t like walking, but I’d bet there are many other worthwhile things you do enjoy. Writing, for example, must be at least as good for a person as walking 😉
haha thanks Emily- that makes me feel a little better! Pity that writing only exercises the fingers though :p