I miss walking

I love walking.

Used to be that I would put on my headphones and call a friend. We would walk and talk. When that friend was not available, I would call a different friend, and so on. I did not have that many friends though. So if there was no one to talk to I would put some songs on. At almost all times, I've had a "workout" playlist. And so, I walked, and walked, and walked, and walked some more.

It did not matter when.

I remember walking at twelve to one at night, trying to get the steps in.

Look, I know! Walking is not the most efficient form of working out. I could for example burn far more calories skipping a rope. And I have.

But walking is not just walking. There's more to it.

It allows me to think. It allows me to process the things that have happened, plan for the things that I must do.

It allows me to be me. To meditate. To be at one with myself.

It allows me to breathe.

It is one of the reasons why I love Finland so much. Back home most of the days I would walk in my apartment complex. Seem the same things again, and again, and again. But here in Finland, I could go out for a walk out in nature. All that I needed to do was go out and walk.

In Helsinki, I lived in Merihaka. I would walk around the Toolo lake area. It felt fresh. Whether I was walking during the summer, the fall or the winter. The winters were trickier for sure. I fell one time and had to visit the ER. But, whatever. It was so much fun.

Now, I live in Matinkyla. And one of the biggest worries I had while moving was whether I would have the same access to water. I was not worried about nature because in Finland, nature is accessible. But I was not sure if I would get to see water. Somehow I felt it was important. Green and flowing water, calms us. It is part of our evolution. The reason why so many of the earliest civilisations were settled next to great rivers.

My worry was unfounded. Soon after moving here I found my new walking route. This route took me through natural trails and across the Matinkyla beach. It is one of the best things about my life here.

And so after four hundred words, we arrive here. To the headline.

I miss walking. I miss walking my wonderful route. I miss it so much. Even though I've lost a ton of weight doing yoga. Even though I've never been healthier than I am now.

I miss going out, walking near those trees, down that bridge, on that beach. I miss breathing in that chilly air.

It is cold here in Finland now. It was colder earlier. But the snow that fell earlier is still there. And it snowed last night as well.

The snow is not that big of an issue. But even with spikes for the boots, it still gets slippery at times. And I can not risk that this season. So I am at home, reminiscing.

Now, some pictures.