How to Take a Walk

As a fellow American who takes walks,I disagree with the perceived antagonism.

I think part of the point is that there is something deep-seeded in our culture that punishes idleness. That is the social anxiety he describes. I do have a little anxiety when I'm going for a walk, alone, not particularly doing or thinking anything. Will people think I'm some sort of weirdo? The observation that this worry is itself worrisome is an observation I can identify with.

This is very important for programmers. You need to take a walk to recharge your batteries. To clear you mind. Well, it works for me anyway.

Do it during lunch, after work, after dinner. On the weekend , for a longer walk. Parks and trails work best. Less crowded streets in the city work as well.

Don't rush, just walk slowly.

Observe things.

If you end up thinking about the problem your are working on, that's fine, if you notice a bird's nest, that's fine too.

Walk like you have no place to be, look around. You will feel weird at first, but that's fine. Try not to care about that.

Think of it as something between meditation, relaxation and exercise. Sort of a all-in-one.

It's easy. There is nothing you have to do to plan for it, no special gear to buy, all you need to do is to say "I want to take a walk" and then ... take a walk.

There's a quote that comes to my mind, on occasion, which I love, and which sums up the attitude I want toward life and that which is expressed here.

"Some people walk in the rain, and some people just get wet."

Be someone who walks in the rain.

This sense of needing a purpose, a direction, a reason for doing something is certainly not unique to taking a walk. In a diner I frequent I was recently asked if I were a student by one of the servers who has often waited on me while I was reading. I'm not. And his reaction to my answer conveyed a sort of disbelief or at least a hint that I am wasting something, that I am throwing away a chance to convert this time into something tangible, beneficial.

I don't understand this obsessions with calling things "hacks."

This isn't a hack. It's an activity. I can't think of any conceivable definition of "hack" that this article would also fit.