Instructions for “My Curiosity Walk”
Instructions
1. The first fourth of your walk:
Notice only what you feel, such as the air temperature, your muscles, your breath.
2. The second fourth of your walk:
Notice only what you see, such as the leaves on the trees, the airplane in the sky, the squirrel on the ground.
3. The third fourth of your walk:
Notice only what you hear, such as a car driving by, the slam of a front door, a robin’s song.
4. The fourth fourth of your walk:
Notice only what you’re thinking, such as why this is hard to do, what you will eat when you get home, what you wished you’d said in that conversation you wished you hadn’t had.
~ * ~ * ~
My Turn
I begin the test again today.
I lace up my shoes. I put on my sunglasses. I walk out my front door.
1. What do I feel?
I feel the air is cooler in the shade, and my legs starting to hurt as I walk up the hill, and my quicker pace than yesterday’s pace.
2. What do I see?
I see that the neighbor sawed down three trees since my last walk and that another neighbor cut his grass . . .
but I also feel the heat of the sun on the back of my neck.
3. What do I hear?
I hear a lawnmower in the neighborhood across the street . . .
but I also see someone watering their lawn . . .
and I feel a pebble in my shoe.
4. What am I thinking?
. . . but I hear the teen driver revving his engine . . .
and I see the rabbit freeze in its tracks as I near . . .
and I feel the breeze picking up.
~ * ~ * ~
My Grade
My walk is now over. I failed to keep my mind centered on only the proper task in each section. I couldn’t follow the instructions to the letter.
But I grade myself an A+ anyway. For feeling, for hearing, for walking, for noticing, all along the way.
It was an indulgent walk of curiosity, quite the prize. It is its own reward.
Have you had a curiosity walk lately? Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m experimenting with Curiosity this year, my One Word of 2024.
Such an interesting and challenging way to take a walk, Lisa. I don’t know if I could do that consciously, but it’s certainly worth a try.
Blessings!
Walking with mindfulness, what a lovely way to enjoy the world around you and your walk.
Interesting challenge but to think you had to grade yourself. I think you should just enjoy the walk too. I’d be curious why you had to grade yourself. LOL
I do this automatically more or less but not as regimented Lisa when I walk on my own.
However, most days my husband enjoys a walk with me so we’re normally chatting while walking together in what we observe.
Although on most walks we stop at a look out & just look, listen & enjoy the bushland or waterfront in the area we’re in. ☺️
blessings, Jennifer
Well done with your curiosity walk! It’s a good practice to walk and tune in to our senses. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
I’m bookmarking this post of yours, Lisa. It’s such a beautiful way to make a walk so much more.
Over the last few days, I’m already feeling a nudge to choose ‘walk’ as my WOTY for 2025. Your post seems to affirm this! ♥
Thanks for the tips Lisa but I think I’d need to do this sitting down or I’d have an accident. I have been on some walks to see the waratahs growing out in the bush which was relaxing and I did pause to listen to the different sounds, which also unfortunately included passing traffic.
Hope you have a great week ahead.
Best wishes,
Rowena
What a lovely idea. Thank you for sharing this.
For me mindfullness involves all my senses so this type of a walk might not be a happy one for me. Next time I’m out I’ll try it and see what happens. Saw it at SSPS#331. My shares are #144 thru 147. Best, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health
Love this post Lisa and I’m going to try your tips for a curiosity walk. Too often we are focused on the speed of our walk to get our heart rate up, rather than taking time to enjoy the world around us. Thank you for sharing with us at #WeekendTrafficJamReboot and I have selected your post as one of my favourites to feature in next week’s link up post. Have a lovely week. Sue from Women Living Well After 50 x
Lisa, I love this concept of a curiosity walk. During my walks, my mind is often all over the place. I honestly need to quiet my mind. I track my daily steps using my watch, and at the beginning of my walk, I find myself trying to put my watch in active walking mode. Tomorrow I’m going for a walk, and I’m going to give this a try out this curiosity walk. Thank you for sharing with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #58.
I know for sure that I would have the same problem of mixing up the actions. Even so, having ANY focus at all would be an improvement for me.