On a walk with an overthinker brain

and the lesson that followed

I didn’t like walks before; for many reasons I just hated the idea of “going on walks”, but that’s a story for another time — It has now become one of the things I enjoy the most, especially for the introspection that comes with it. Here’s the latest one:

I was walking around Valencia streets, just got out of the gym. I first notice that I am (yet again) walking fast, as if I’m competing against every person that it’s on the same path as me. I remind myself: Enjoy the moment, every step. No one’s waiting for you… it’s your time — so I slow down and try some mindfulness. Absorbing, observing.

That leads me to realize that I’m holding my phone in one hand, the other one is holding my bag (a bag that is already being held by my shoulder) — When was the last time I walked without anything in my hands… with my fingers fully relaxed? - Goes my internal dialogue.

I did what I had to (after all, I grew up in a city where you cannot walk by yourself, let alone showing off your phone) I put my device in my gym bag, closed it, and made sure it was safe on my left arm. Hands free.

Strange. That was my first thought. But ohhh so good! — A good ol’ fingers stretch I didn’t think I was missing. — Even though for a few seconds I didn’t know how to move my arms in this un tight way, my body thanked me. It took me back to the old days, when we existed without this much technology. I felt like a kid again, on her way to play with friends. —

The tiny moment brought a smile to my face. I smiled at how easy it is (sometimes) for us to feel better and uplift our days. It’s often little things like deciding not to be grabbing your phone and move freely instead, that makes the change.

It’s actually not so little of a thing, when we use the same mentality with other aspects in life. — Besides the stress relief I got from such “insignificant” action (because my hands tend to be my main storage of stress), it also served as a deeper lesson. I took this as the sign I was needing. A reminder to let things (that I am holding too tight) go, and give my emotions some stretch. Make my soul less tense.

It is safe to say I got home feeling recharged, physically and mentally. And that’s on being an over-thinker… but as long as it keeps adding value to my life, bring it on brain. Let’s go for a walk.

— This is my first newsletter ever, so I thank you for being here. I hope you find good and soft lessons in the tiny actions you make in your days. —

Nicole <3