How many of us spend thousands on gym memberships we barely use? We do mindless online shopping and rush through traffic when everyone does it at the same time. We buy things we don’t need.
What if the simple act of intentional walking could improve your well-being, reduce unnecessary spending and help you reconnect with what truly matters?
During my college years, I never owned a car and depended on public transport whenever I needed to go back to my hometown or travel far. I never intended for walking to change my life. It started as a simple necessity when I lived near my college without a car. So most of the time I had no choice but to walk to get anything. Back then, walking felt like a burden, something I endured rather than embraced. I always wished I owned a car because it seemed like such a hassle without one. I thought I could get things done faster.
My Perception Back Then
In those early days, I always checked the weather before going out, calculated my steps, and how much time I was losing to reach my destination. I always thought how much faster I could travel if I owned a car. It’s much more convenient, isn’t it? My mind raced faster than my feet, I rushed many times, thinking about efficiency, and making good use of my time when I moved on foot. I dreamed of the day I could own a car. I’m grateful that my family bought one for me. Finally, I told myself I had the ticket to freedom and convenience.
In my working life, my perception changed. My work and distance required me to drive. I live further away from the main city to avoid traffic jams, but this also means I need to travel further.
My work routine requires travel, which means I spend most of the time on the road, and after a long day of travelling, I often feel exhausted.
I spent more than 40 hours a month in traffic, thinking it was normal because most people did the same. Instead of feeling free when I drove, I spent hours inside my car, limited to what I could see through the windshield. The turning point came unexpectedly. I started to wonder why I still felt fatigued even when I was back home. However, after questioning my lifestyle choices, I made walking a priority without any grand plan. I began walking more, to breathe and slow down, and it changed everything.
I always thought owning a car was convenient and getting from point A to point B. But this also means I depend very much even on simple things. I used to rush through life. A simple decision to walk more led to a powerful transformation, managing stress levels, well-being, and spending habits. It’s more than movement, it’s a way to be.
If you are searching for a way to improve your health, save money and slow down, read till the end and let me share with you how walking can be a simple shift you need.
How Walking Works For You
If you depend on your car as the only mode of transportation, have you noticed how much money you spend on gas, insurance, maintenance and parking fees? Also, consider the time you spend searching for parking in crowded areas. When I started replacing short trips with walking, I saw an almost immediate change. As I walked more often, I didn’t stop for fuel as frequently as I used to, only using my car for long journeys. Instead of driving to the grocery store or to grab food ( if I’m not cooking at home), I walk. I used to think driving was always faster, no doubt, it’s convenient, but when you consider traffic and time spent looking for parking, walking often takes the same amount of time. With limited storage, especially when walking to get groceries, you become mindful of your purchases because you can only buy what’s essential. You can hardly carry eight bags of impulse purchases home on foot. This simple exercise forces you to assess whether you need those items or plan your purchases. You are more mindful of how and where you spend, cutting out unnecessary purchases.
Walk More, Speed Less
You realize you don’t need everything to be happy. Some important moments are enough. Of course, walking won’t make you rich overnight, but it will stop you from spending on unnecessary expenses.
If your life is in a constant rush, and you want to improve your health, well-being and finances, do try out slow living with a simple walk.
Start walking whether you’re shopping for groceries or going for a meal, and see how you feel. You will be amazed how something so simple as walking can shift your life by the difference it makes.
When you start walking more, you realize you don’t need a gym membership. You never have to think about utilising the gym equipment or calculating how many times you must go to make the membership worthwhile. Some people would still prefer to pay for a gym membership but for me, walking builds endurance, strengthens legs, burns calories and savings on monthly fees. You can walk before or after meals for digestion and metabolism benefits.
Walking Improves Mental Health
I used to binge-watch videos online, scroll mindlessly on social media, and procrastinate a lot. Now I see the benefits of walking, and how it helped me in certain aspects of my life. Walking is therapeutic. Later, I made journaling a habit, which I will share more about next time. Walking regulates mood, lowers stress, and helps you process thoughts, especially if you’ve had a bad day or need another perspective. I have shared this before, and you can read more about it here.
Take Life Slowly
Walking is not just about exercise or movement. Previously, when I drove anywhere, whether short or long distances, I intended to be quick and efficient. Now, I appreciate walking as part of my daily routine. This habit not only helps me reduce expenses, but it makes me slow down and appreciate simple moments. A simple act of walking gave me peace and helped me rethink the need for constant spending. When you walk daily, you replace unnecessary expenses by saving money without effort and sacrifice. The sunset is beautiful, the sunrise is fresh. You don’t need retail therapy when you don’t feel the need to spend to feel better. The more I walk, the less I need to appreciate what I have.
I discovered the beauty of the street lights, landscape and buildings along my walk, I found shorter, different routes that I normally wouldn’t take when driving. I stumbled upon delicious unnamed street food vendors who don’t have a fixed schedule. I noticed intricate building architecture details and playful animals on the road. It’s hard to notice anything when you are going too fast, and slowing down and being present expands my world. ( Slow Down Your Mornings & Evenings)
My legs grew stronger than before, and my breathing deeper. As I walked more often, the people in the neighbourhood and local businesses started to notice my presence and familiar faces became a part of my daily routine, exchanging greetings, and offering friendly waves and smiles that made the streets feel more like home. I felt more energetic every day. I don’t see walking as just transportation or exercise. It’s my daily practice to intentionally move slowly, connected to my environment, people and myself.
No price tag! Just take a walk. Take one drive per day for a walk.
How has walking changed in your life? Share in the comments!