One Thing You Can Do RIGHT NOW To Instantly Align With Your Inner Voice
This week, I continue with second tip to tune your inner Voice by yourself: WALK.
Meditate
Walk
Journal
I know it sounds a bit weird to accept something so simple and easy can make tremendous change in your life, this is why I decided to share a personal story with you.
In 2013, I started to see a psychologist in order to cope with the issues in my life. My picture-perfect life was tearing apart and I was trying to look perfect, still.
I was holding a deep fear of judgement, and I felt like I couldn’t share what was going on in my life with any of my real friends or family. Therefore, I thought ok, maybe therapy would help. The sessions were ok, but not helping to solve the real issues, I was just talking on the mind. When I look back, I healed myself through various healing techniques and continuously taking actions. However, I still feel a deep sense of gratitude to my psychologist, because she touched my life in a unique way. She introduced me to walking.
One day in the session, I told her that I feel so depressed at home and sometimes cry alone in the evenings. She told me to WALK whenever I feel depressed and explained the scientific reasoning as to why walking helps to reduce sadness and stress. That night I started walking in the evenings, usually after work, sometimes even at 11pm after dinner.
I usually started the walk feeling down, and after 1 hour, I was feeling hopeful and strong. I was walking nearly 4 times a week. I started to notice the craving for walking, my soul was guiding me to walk whenever I was undecided, tired or stressed because it knew I needed to connect. During those years, I did a lot of research on it, learned the facts behind it, and was amazed by the results.
It has been almost 7 years now, on average I walk 3 times a week. As the years have passed I’ve realised what works for me the best. Feel free to try the ones you like!
Here are my insights to guide you to integrate walking in to your day
1. Walk outside
I always walk outside if the circumstances allow and for me, availability only means safety. Even if it is cold, hot or rainy, I simply walk outside to feel the air, sky and nature (even a crowded city is worth it to feel). I travel 50% of my time in the last 2 years and yes, I walk outside everywhere. I just think that ‘there is a reason I am here and the city will show me’ and usually it does :)
2. Lose the headphones
I used to listen music when I was walking, over the years I realized I am walking to tune in, to hear my own voice and to get clear on my thoughts. I decided to lose the headphones when I entered a park. At first, the silence was weird. Then, I start to notice the sounds of nature, the birds, the wind, the trees rustling. I loved it so much! I stopped music in crowded cities as well, to listen the energy of the city and my inner voice!
3. End the walk with gratitude
I was referred for knee surgery (3 times in 7 years) and the pain was unbearable. I could not walk during those times. Instead of surgery, I worked on myself to release the blocks that are holding me back from making a step forward. I never got the surgery. And now, every time the pain comes back, I just ask ‘Ok Gul, what is the resistance to change now’ ;)
When I restarted walking, I realized how lucky I am to be able to walk. I began stopping to touch a tree and say thank you; for my health that makes this walk possible, for my eyes to see the beauty when I walk and to the country that I am in for making it possible. The practice of gratitude only brings more to your life to be grateful for. The more I practiced, the more grateful and joyful my walks were.
And here is my special gratitude tree in Lux, she is with me for almost 3 years. Whenever I come back, she is the first I visit!
I am not sharing the scientific facts here, however if you are interested, here is a good place to start.