In praise of the solo walk
Walking is so often regarded as a social activity, that even some of my fellow walking coaches are surprised when I suggest they don’t join their clients on their coaching walk.
I’m a huge fan of solo walking. Not only do I find it truly liberating, it gives me a chance to be at one with the world in a way that’s often just not possible in the company of other human beings.
And so perhaps it makes sense that as a self-development practice, solo walking can offer its own unique advantages too. Here are some of the benefits that I’ve discovered:
Your walk, your way
I’ve walked with many groups in my time, each of whom had their own pace and personality. One seemed to prize speed over anything, and would tear along the trail leaving the laggards to gradually peel off at the back. Another consisted of a lively, noisy bunch of folks who mixed and chatted continuously, showing little regard for the wildlife they disturbed as they walked and talked the entire way. I had fun in every group I joined, but there was also something ‘not me’ about a lot of them.
Just as in life, we can never know if we’re following a track that’s right for us if we are always falling into line with the footsteps of others. And we can never co-create authentically until we have a sense of what that is.
Solo walking provides the perfect chance to experiment and discover who you really are as an individual. In your own company, you can take whatever time you need to experience your walk, your way: your own pace, your own rhythm, your favourite detours, your special places, your interests in certain wildlife that others don’t necessarily share.
Release and resource
Peace and solitude can sometimes seem scarce in our hectic modern lives. Yet, they also provide the conditions many people need to de-stress and maintain good mental health. For many of us, urban traffic, commuting, phones, radio commentary, office-speak, social media etc all create their own form of ‘noise’ that cumulatively, causes tension build-up in our bodies, producing toxins and depleting our energy, even making us sick.
Withdrawing from all of this temporarily, to wander alone in a natural setting that’s non-contrived and free from human intrusion or interference can be an important self-care routine that keeps us resourced and balanced.
Stepping into empowerment
Every now and then I take off on a solo walk that stretches me to the edge of my comfort zone. One year it involved wild camping, another year it was walking a ridge that made by palms perspire, another year I returned to a mountain I’d previously failed to summit. For some people, this might include venturing out on a walk alone for the very first time.
To be clear this is not some ‘macho’ experiment about proving myself. I always stay safe and take correct precautions. But it is down to me - nobody else - to get things right. It’s a chance to discover and grow myself as a person, and to develop my inner confidence and self-belief – something I’ve struggled with from time to time.
Connecting with others
Walking on my own typically makes me more accessible for other people to talk to – when I am open to it of course! I might stop on a hilltop to eat lunch, and the most unlikely but interesting people will stop by and we’ll chat. The surprises, the learning, the inspiration that are available through connecting with others are not that hard to find even at the top of a mountain.
Generally, the walking community is known for friendliness and sociability. But I wouldn’t get to discover and appreciate other walkers in the same way - nor make new friends - if I was more focused on the presence of a companion.
Heightening awareness
Without the distraction of another person by my side, my attention is free to focus on my total and intricate experience of the walk: the moving skies, the changing landscapes, the richness of wildlife, the people I meet, the thoughts that spring to mind. The more I notice, the more I discover. And the more I come to appreciate, the more I tune in.
Over time, I’ve discovered that my powers of awareness have heightened and my perspective has widened, so much that I can sometimes ‘feel’ the gaze of a deer standing behind me, or spot a mountain hare camouflaged in the undergrowth. I couldn’t have done that before. They say sharpened visual acuity often translates into sharpened mental acuity. And indeed nowadays my reflexes are quicker, my brain sharper, my intuition clearer - not just on the hills, but also in my work and my daily interactions with others.
Going out to go in
While I love my friends and colleagues, some of whom are the most aware and supportive of people, there are times when coming back into relationship with the land is the best possible way to access the wisdom and creativity I seek, yet find it hard to access. With the land, there is no projection of ideals, no boundary crossing, no assumption making. It simply provides a non-judgemental mirror to reflect my own deeper thoughts, my own truth – only made possible when we are together, alone
Our ancestors knew a thing or two about taking off on solo trips, sometimes for days on end, as they did their inner reflective work, connected with spirit or simply sought new inspiration. I
Whether you are self-coaching on a walk or coaching somebody else, think about make it a solo experience next time. It’s highly possible that the solo journey will yield a deeper and richer learning experience than would be possible otherwise.
If you’d like to discover how to work with me or to experience any of the practices mentioned above, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
On a final practical note, it doesn’t matter whether you are setting of into the remote wilderness or taking a wander across the North Downs, do take sensible steps to ensure your personal safety. It’s easy to become disorientated when you’re deep in your own thoughts, so stay aware, walk within your limits, take an emergency kit, carry a phone, and tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.