The Value of Walking

as a way of getting to know your place

As you probably have figured, walking is my preferred method for exploring my place. I love road trips and bicycling is fun too; you can cover more territory these ways. But when it comes to seeing subtleties, walking and sitting are best. The slowness and the ability to be aware of your sensual experience is unparalleled. You can also stop and talk to people if you’re so inclined. 

I started doing a long, daily walk (or a few shorter ones) when I began to practice contemplative photography. As a byproduct, I experienced the incredible health benefits. Besides the exercise and fresh air, these walks also give my mind a rest and sometimes calm any anxiety I’m feeling. In this post, I want to encourage you to continue exploring your place by walking as much as you can. If mobility is an issue or your place isn’t very walkable, you can still get to know your place better while sitting at a park or even in your own backyard. 

Over the years, I’ve experimented with and discovered many different ways of taking a walk and you’ll find links to them at the end of this post. But first, here’s an intro.

The word, flâneur (Wikipedia), originated in 19th century France, and referred to a person (usually male and affluent), who had the ability to wander with no other purpose than to be an observer of contemporary life in the streets of Paris. It gradually became defined as a way to understand the variety of the city landscape. Today, anyone with the time and inclination can be a flaneur. 

Go Slow and Wander

“Walking is a way of moving oneself through the world. Wandering is more of a mindset. A spaciousness of mind. An expansiveness of time. An unhurried pace.” ~ Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Rooted

Most walks begin with a destination and purpose in mind. Maybe you’re headed to the post office or to pick something up at a store. You can still bring awareness to what you see along the way but this isn’t the best way to walk when you want to focus on the journey itself. 

To do a walk slowly, leisurely, to stroll or wander, means bringing a mindset of openness and curiosity to the walk. While you may have a route planned, you’re open to changing the route as discoveries unfold. You wonder about what you find along the way, for example, seeing tracks leading into a thicket and wondering what animal made those tracks and where they were going. 

You can also go on a walk with a general intention in mind, for example, noticing birdsong or shadows or colors, perhaps following a waterway to its source.

Dérive

‘A dérive is something you do. It’s a playful exploration of urban space. It literally means drift or drifting, and is based on a theory of urban encounter established by the Situationists International, a group of Europeans, mostly Frenchmen, formed in the 1950s and spearheaded by Guy Debord.” 

~ Jennifer Acker, Doing a Derive, or Walking 2.0 

Just recently, I heard of a practice called dérive. What I find intriguing about it is that it implies an awareness of the “psychogeography” of a place, that is, that there are certain points in a place that draw you in or repel you. There are psychological effects to become aware of that affect your behavior. 

I often say that the lake draws me like a magnet. Water has a calming effect for me as it does for many others so this is an obvious example of one of these points. Other places that draw me are places where people generally gather, tunnels of trees, and the sound of music. Sometimes we avoid places that are visually unappealing or seem dangerous or have loud noises coming from them. Signs that say Closed or Keep Out or Danger may draw or repel you depending on your personality. 

Besides becoming aware of the psychological effects of different points, the purpose of a derive is to shake you out of habitual ways. Maybe you take the same route every day or don’t go down a street because you don’t think there is anything interesting there. There is a dérive app which supplies instructions to get you doing things differently, for example, turn right at the next street, or sit down at the next bench you see and watch the world go by. 

How has walking affected your relationship with your place?

Practice

No matter what, try to get out for a slow wander (or a sit) this week and be open and curious to what you will find. Take a different route or try one of the exercises in the links below.

Can you identify psychological points in your place that draw or repel?

Resources

Health Benefits: A Daily Walk can Heal Mind, Body, and Spirit

Attentive Walking: The Benefits of Slow Walking and A Mindfulness Exercise for your Photo Walks

Intuitive Walking: Choiceless awareness and Letting the Body Lead

Intentional Walking: I Wonder as I Wander and On Looking - Ideas for Photo Walks