The Neighborhood Stroll
the Neighborhood Stroll can include a Leisurely Errand or Coffee Run but stands alone in that is it done for no purpose beyond the desire to take a stroll around the neighborhood. as the term “stroll” implies, it is not a brisk walk but also not as slow as The Thich Nhat Hanh might be. this is a walk you take to get outside, and perhaps witness some local nature. it differs from The Trek in that you usually do not leave the neighborhood.
The Leisurely Errand
this is a walk with a purpose. it can involve any number of errands but it cannot be categorized as a chore because there is no rush. you take your time, you bring a tote (or two) to carry whatever you’re out to get, you stop to smell the flowers, and maybe even couple it with a Coffee Run.
The Coffee Run
similar to the neighborhood stroll and leisurely errand, The Coffee Run is a casual and short walk however it differs in that the sole goal is obtaining coffee and thus there is no further walking/exploration once coffee is obtained.
The Quickie
this is a walk you squeeze in when you don’t have much time. it’s a brisk walk to the further train stop that you might take on the way to work just to get some sunlight on your face and your heart rate up. it usually happens on the way somewhere or as a break from something else you are doing. it is not usually longer than 15 minutes.
The Thich Nhat Hanh
this is a very specific kind of walk that is also a practice in mindfulness. it is done slowly with full focus on the act of walking by taking steps one at a time and making sure that both feet are firmly on the ground before taking each next step forward. see Hanh’s book “How to Walk”
The Depression Walk
this is a walk you take because you know you must. it is not as lighthearted as the other kinds of walks but it always helps. you may not have the energy to be particularly mindful, you may indulge in elements of The Listener or The DJ depending on your mood. even with minimal energy and focus, whether you walk slowly or quickly, you will benefit from the movement and fresh air and you know this, which is why you do it even if you’re not feeling as enthusiastic as you’d like to be feeling.
The Trek
this walk is for serious enthusiasts and requires comfortable footwear. it is often brisk at certain points as maximizing distance is the goal, not for the sake of exercise but for the invigorating and pleasant physical sensations a brisk walk yields as well as for general exploration. this walk requires you to eat breakfast beforehand and is best taken with some sort of satchel to carry a water bottle, a folded tote for spontaneously obtaining objects, and maybe even an extra layer for when it gets dark. headphones are popular for this type of walk unless you are mixing in elements from The Listener. this walk ends with tired feet and sunburn if you don’t apply sunscreen soaking feet in Epsom salts after is recommended.
The Listener
this walk is taken intentionally without the use of headphones. it can be incorporated into any other kind of walk or be the central focus.
The DJ
this walk is taken with headphones. it can be incorporated into any other kind of walk or be the central focus. The DJ can involve both music and podcasts. It is often taken when one is on the way somewhere but can also be combined with other walks.
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Neighborhood stroll + coffee run + the DJ is my favorite combo ~