Much of my book was composed while I was hiking and then written down once I returned.
In the pre-email era, I found a good way to insert walking into my working day was to hand-deliver my memos. The walking and the serendipitous interactions helped my thinking.
This is on point! For years I went on regular long walks and hikes. I had significant foot/ankle surgery about seven months ago and haven't been able to get back into my routine due to pain and discomfort. This has had a significant effect on my mental health and clarity. I have been able to exercise in the gym and am close to healthy enough to resume my walking routine, fate willing.
Solvitur ambulando is a nice Latin phrase worth remembering in relation to this topic. It means "it is solved by walking."
I also like Kierkegaard's advice:
"Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."
Love this! And I agree with your notes on running. I find running to be better for checking out and walking to be better for checking in with my thoughts.
Some of my best, most creative bursts have come while running, but I’m a slow runner and these mostly happened on 3 mile runs, never 8 miles into a half marathon. For most of us walking without ear buds will give us the most benefit. This post is probably some of the best writing advice out there.
Great post. I used to warn people 30 years ago - if you walk with slow people you end up walking slow, and 2 many cars on the road and parked on the pavements will kill you. It was already apparent.
But I never thought it would happen to me. But my wife got serious osteoarthritis and became extremely restricted going out, and I always went with her, her distances, her speed.
And the amount of cars just built up on the road till the point I couldn't switch off when walking, and I couldn't stride out looking around when walking.
My body has paid for this, various foot, ankle, leg problems, anger and frustration at being so restricted, and an inabilty to explore all those off-paths and interesting looking maybes.
On a side note, a bit, walking home at night I used to look at the sky and the shapes of trees etc and listen to music in my head, The Kinks, Charlie Parker, my own imaginings, cos walking speed was ideal, a human in motion, the heart beating as it should, I suppose a total natural flow state.
My 103-year-old stepfather still says that movement is most important, and takes short walks.
Much of my book was composed while I was hiking and then written down once I returned.
In the pre-email era, I found a good way to insert walking into my working day was to hand-deliver my memos. The walking and the serendipitous interactions helped my thinking.
This is on point! For years I went on regular long walks and hikes. I had significant foot/ankle surgery about seven months ago and haven't been able to get back into my routine due to pain and discomfort. This has had a significant effect on my mental health and clarity. I have been able to exercise in the gym and am close to healthy enough to resume my walking routine, fate willing.
Ya. Even just two days stuck sedentary on planes impacts my mental health and how clearly I'm thinking
Good stuff, Andrew!
Solvitur ambulando is a nice Latin phrase worth remembering in relation to this topic. It means "it is solved by walking."
I also like Kierkegaard's advice:
"Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."
Thanks! Yes, great advice from Kierkegaard
Love this! And I agree with your notes on running. I find running to be better for checking out and walking to be better for checking in with my thoughts.
Well put. Agreed.
So many thanks for exposing the boosting effects at the intersection of intellectual and physical wellbeing !!! 👍👍👍 🔥🔥🔥
Some of my best, most creative bursts have come while running, but I’m a slow runner and these mostly happened on 3 mile runs, never 8 miles into a half marathon. For most of us walking without ear buds will give us the most benefit. This post is probably some of the best writing advice out there.
Thanks!
I feel like a piece of shit for not walking while I read this.
I think you and Michael Easter have motivated me to invest in a desk treadmill.
I try to go for a walk, outside, in the sun, without shoes, once a day with my wife.
Humans have degenerated to a great degree due to our modern lowly lifestyles! It’s a disgrace!
Great post. I used to warn people 30 years ago - if you walk with slow people you end up walking slow, and 2 many cars on the road and parked on the pavements will kill you. It was already apparent.
But I never thought it would happen to me. But my wife got serious osteoarthritis and became extremely restricted going out, and I always went with her, her distances, her speed.
And the amount of cars just built up on the road till the point I couldn't switch off when walking, and I couldn't stride out looking around when walking.
My body has paid for this, various foot, ankle, leg problems, anger and frustration at being so restricted, and an inabilty to explore all those off-paths and interesting looking maybes.
On a side note, a bit, walking home at night I used to look at the sky and the shapes of trees etc and listen to music in my head, The Kinks, Charlie Parker, my own imaginings, cos walking speed was ideal, a human in motion, the heart beating as it should, I suppose a total natural flow state.