Mindful Miles

As July gently opens its embrace, my heart is overflowing with a quiet sense of triumph and gratitude as I look back at the month that just closed. I find myself taking stock of a June that was surprisingly rich with spontaneous, positive-yielding decisions, a testament to how far a little courage can carry us.

For so many years, I was, you could say, an indoor girl through and through. The idea of embracing the outdoors felt foreign; I rarely ventured far, navigating new places was a constant struggle, and the thought of a long walk or even a few flights of stairs would elicit a groan, breath always catching on anything more than a gentle stroll.

What a sharp contrast that is to the person I stand as now. These days, I literally crave the outdoors. It’s partly fueled by my love for reflective writing – a beautiful, spontaneous idea that blossomed just a week into my newfound walking routine – but more importantly, it’s driven by the sheer, undeniable benefits of movement itself.

Just over a month ago, a quiet but firm decision took root: I would walk a minimum of 12,500 steps daily. A part of me, the old “indoor girl,” chuckled at the sheer audacity of the thought. I wasn’t entirely confident I could pull it off. But that quiet laughter became my unexpected drive, a whisper that spurred me on: “Show yourself you’re stronger than you casually think.”And what an eventful month June became!

The walks themselves brought so much joy. I successfully tackled walking challenges, shared videos of my routes, and found immense delight in encouraging others to embrace their own walking routines. There’s a special warmth in my heart when they share their walk streaks with me, a shared sense of accomplishment. This very blog, a spontaneous decision born from the paths I’ve trod, has been met with such heartwarming encouragement, too.

As June truly drew to a close, I looked up the numbers, curious to see the sum of all those mindful miles. To my absolute delight and utter surprise, I had taken a staggering 537,173 steps! That’s an average of 12.75km daily, woven with intention and presence.

June wasn’t just about movement; it was the birth of its joys, the gift of reflection, and the quiet creation of a healthier, more vibrant me. It has powerfully taught me that true growth often begins not with a grand, certain plan, but with a quiet whisper of “what if?” – a spontaneous thought, a small dare to yourself.

Often, the biggest transformations stem from the smallest, most courageous “yeses” we give ourselves, proving that we are indeed far stronger and more capable than we sometimes think. So, when you decide on a path, let unwavering belief light your way. Here’s to a successful month of July!