“But the beauty is in the walking — we are betrayed by destinations.” ― Gwyn Thomas
This month I’m doing Susannah Conway’s April Love program. It’s a super-simple, very inspiring challenge of sorts—though not a confrontational sort of challenge; rather, it’s a gentle series of questions and thoughts to guide you through your ideas of self-love and self-care.
Susannah asked 28 participants (including Jamie Ridler, who is always fabulous) to share tales, tips, meditations, videos, journaling exercises and thoughts on love and self-care. Every day, I receive an email with an inspiring message—the emails are short but powerful, and they’ve provided some great food for thought.
One of my April goals for self-care has been to start walking more. Because I work from home, it’s very easy to spend a lot of time in my studio working—a place I love, but one that can also be a little constricting. After some busy, busy work months, I’ve really felt the need to get outside and walk. Now the winter weather has softened somewhat, and the longer days mean I don’t have the excuse of dodgy dark surroundings. I can even head out to the beach path at 6:00am, which is what I’ve been doing these mornings.
My practice is a funny combination of jogging/walking/photography: It starts out with the most enthusiastic of intentions, slows to a walk when I need to catch my breath and then a full stop when I see something I want to photograph. Then I start running and the process begins again.
It might seem a bit counter-productive, and I’m not sure any fitness trainer would endorse it, but it’s working for me. I get some exercise, breathe fresh air before the morning traffic and debris-burning starts up, and I can snap a few photos while I go. Win-win, right?
The best part? After a bout of cold/flu that’s really laid me low (month-long cough, anyone?) I feel like I’m treating my body and self to a bit of much-needed self-care. At long last. Thanks to Susannah for her April Love program. It’s free, by the way, and you can still sign up this month, too.
Happy Friday!
Love that picture! There have been a lot of ocean pictures in this April Love and I live so close and yet hardly ever go. Going to have to start making that one of my practices I think. Thanks for sharing.