I didn’t expect something as simple as walking to change my life – but it did. By Kiesha Meikle
For a long time, anxiety felt like background noise I couldn’t switch off. Constant, exhausting, and isolating. I tried all the usual things, but nothing really stuck… until I started walking.
At first, it was just about getting out of the house. No pressure, no expectations – just putting one foot in front of the other. And maybe that’s why it worked – because there was no big goal, just a quiet decision to begin.
Now, as the seasons are changing, I feel that shift more than ever.
Pic: The Girls That Walk, Battersea.
Walking has become my meditation. The rhythm of my steps, the fresh air, the longer days and lighter evenings – it gives my mind space to breathe. I’m not stuck in my head anymore. I’m present.
Some days I walk with a group and talk. Other days, I walk alone, quietly, letting it all settle. And often, my kids want to come along too…which becomes a whole different kind of experience. Slower, louder, full of questions and little moments I might have otherwise missed.
I hope, in some way, I’m teaching them that walking is something we can all come back to. A way to reset, to breathe, to feel a little more like ourselves.
There’s something powerful about it. Whether it’s connection with others, or just a quiet connection back to yourself.
If you’re feeling stuck, maybe this is your moment. A new season, a small step, a gentle reset.
You don’t have to go far. Just start walking.
You might be surprised where it leads you.
*Highly recommend The Girls That Walk if you are based in or close to the Battersea area.
