A Step At A Time: 2, 3 or More For The Price of 1

I started a regular routine during the COVID-19 pandemic, which I am grateful I began. And that is, walking, taking a step at a time.

During that difficult period which the world experienced, I decided to step out of the busy family home, full of students – myself (the Dad, a PhD student) and children, with the exception of my wife, who worked on the frontline every day as a frontline health professional. 

So, I’d walk for an average of about 3 miles away from the house and then back.

With time, I made some observations:

• I did not notice an appreciable loss of weight (Lol), but I persisted
• I was getting marvellous ideas about how I could connect the dots in my PhD research, so I started jotting down ideas
• I got inspiration about what to write in my object/destination writing, as a songwriter
• I was able to get more done as I walked – think clearly, listen to podcasts, pray, sing etc.
• It became a great time of refreshing, some ‘me time’ even though I did not realise it initially

After the routine walks, I was then able to sit down for hours, studying, sometimes for up to 12 hours and still enjoyed the experience.

Over time, I started getting more fit (I think).

So when the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown ended, I did not stop. I’d walk for about 40 minutes to the library, spend between 8 to 12 hours there and then walk back home. 

I did not realise the impact of ‘a step at a time’ routine until I had to take a visitor from Canada for sightseeing. The wonderful lady was visiting London for the first time, and I thought it would be a nice experience for her to see the great city of London before taking a train and continuing with her trip. So with the short time left before catching her train we headed to Westminster and wandered around. 

Then the test time came! The crunch time!

With the little time left to head to Euston station, with our bags, we hurried up.

We walked! Fast! Ran! 

Alas, I did not feel a thing! I was not tired but instead had a burst of energy in my reservoir (body). Thankfully, we were able to get to Euston station – just a few minutes before the departure time.

The takeaway from the story, is that, even though I may not see it, or notice a change, things are working! 

While I may not have arrived yet (in terms of fitness and other things), I have left! I continue to make progress through something that is not extraordinarily too difficult to achieve, taking a step at a time and getting some things done. You can, too!

And guess what? The idea for writing this piece came during my walk, as I take a step at a time!