What to do while walking
"Just put one foot in front of the other," is pretty solid advice. Most of the time, this works just fine for getting you where you wanna go. Metaphorically, and literally.
The thing is, walking can get boring. Or even scary – being alone with one's thoughts is kind of a rough way to spend your time. So, let's talk about some of the things to do while walking.
When my family comes this weekend, they will be shocked once again that I request they walk from my dorm to Thayer for lunch. We'll again discuss whether we should drive the ten minute walk. And again, I'll get mad: "you have no idea what my life is like here. I would never think to drive that." (Not that I have the option). For the record, that's kind of the theme of family weekend, I feel. Attempting to show your visitors your life in 48 hours, and failing miserably. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: If you're one of the kids who lives in Barbour and regularly Ubers to class in Smitty B (or any other reason you're not walking as much as I'm suggesting), this post is still for you. You can learn what to do in transit, walking or otherwise.
This "college lifestyle" is underrated-ly conducive to walking absurd amounts. Today, I've walked Perkins-Ratty-Rock-Faunce-V-Dub-PageRo-Perkins-Rock-Ratty-Perkins. That's like 2 hours of walking. That's more time walking then I'll be in class today. And don't tell me I should walk less. I want to have lunch with my friends! Also, I'm very good at using walking time, so I look at a Pembroke lunch as a Perkins resident as a blessing in disguise. Allow me to impart my wisdom unto you.
Let's start with the basics: you can just walk. Whatever that means for you. Then, a level-up, would be being somewhat mindful of moving through space: take in the sights, look for familiar faces, listen for Evangelical Christians to yell at you about evolution.
You can play the game of eagerly waving to everyone you kind-of know, and seeing what happens. You'll be surprised by some of the reciprocated waves, and insulted by some of the people who ignore you, despite the fact that you drank tequila out of a Brown water bottle in their room in Keeney after the ice cream social freshman year. Or, perhaps, it's because you did that. Awkward.
If you're feeling particularly studious, you can think about your studies: the Periodic Table, or your paper outline, or Arabic, or whatever it is that is relevant to you. I'll allow it.
Walking can be dangerous, though. You're not doing much, but you have to kind of pay attention. So, headphones are fine (as long as you can kind of hear traffic, or a friend yelling your name), but watching Netflix as you walk is not super easy. And don't even get me started on the winter, when to hold your phone in your bare hand is to invite frostbite. But don't be that person who plays what they're listening to out in the world just because. What if everyone did that? Chaos.
If we proceed as if headphones are being used appropriately, then an entire world opens up: podcasts, music, audiobooks! And, if your headphones of choice have a microphone, then you can have phone calls that keep your hands and phone dry and warm!
You know how to listen to music, I'm sure. But did you know you can make collaborative playlists on Spotify? I'm sure you know podcasts exist, and I recommend you try some. You can even download audiobooks from your local library and put them on 2x speed and then absorb 20% of the content, which can get you pretty far in section. Trust me.
Next time you see me on campus, and I'm walking, just know, that is the most efficient way for me to be using my time at that moment. Ok, it's certainly not, but at least I'll be making the most of the necessary time I spend in transit.
