There once was a time where I simply would not walk alone, but now I cannot wait to get out for hours on end even without company. It is entirely possible to join these solo enthusiasts (like me!) with an extremely enjoyable walk which will leave you daydreaming about your next adventure.
There are many ways to make walking alone more enjoyable. Many people use distraction techniques such as listening to music or take photographs to help with any boredom they may feel. For others safety is their main concern and they take steps to prepare for a very unlikely worse case scenario.
Below we explore a range of ideas to inspire you to make your walks more enjoyable, whether it is boring for you or a more stressful experience. Many methods can be used simultaneously or mix it up. It’s all about finding your personal toolkit for enjoyment and reap the rewards of your efforts.
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How To Enjoy Walking Alone?
1. Set yourself personal goals
This is a good one to get yourself out that door. It is important to set yourself a realistic target in order to keep it fun but the goal could be anything. Get a pedometer app on your phone or smart watch to count your steps, distances. You can even do a walking challenge such as the conqueror. Sign up and once you completed the set number of miles at your own pace you will receive a medal.
Fitness goals leave you feeling tired at the thought of it? Then try setting a goal to see a new place or area or challenge yourself to document the changes in your local park with the seasons.
2. Listen to music, podcasts or an audiobook
Never find the time to fully indulge into a book? This is the perfect opportunity. Walking alone means that there is no one else talking over you or trying to get you to do something else. Download your playlist prior to leaving and enjoy uninterrupted listening. Personally, I prefer to only have one earphone in so I am aware of my surroundings. However, you decide to listen just ensure you pay attention when crossing roads. It’s stop, look, listen for a reason!
3. Take breaks
This is a mistake I made when I first began running alone but can also apply to walking. I used to run too fast then beat myself up for needing to stop. If you want to enjoy walking don’t act like your own mean personal trainer! If you walk for five minutes then want to sit down then allow yourself. Forcing yourself to hike 10km at your fastest pace wont lead to enjoyment unless you like to push yourself. Stop, listen to the birds, grab a coffee, do whatever suits you. You can always challenge yourself once you start enjoying yourself.
4. Walk to your favourite café
In time you may start to enjoy associate the act of walking with the culinary pleasures that await you. Not the mention the extra calories you burnt walking there, that yummy treat will go down a little less guiltily.
5. Go geocaching, letterboxing or on a scavenger hunt
The anticipation builds as you navigate to the location, you finally reach it and begin your search and there under the log is what you are looking for. A small box, with a log book. You can found it, like many before you. Enjoy reading the comments from the rest of the community and leaving your own mark before venturing on.
If that sounds enjoyable then letterboxing or geocaching may be for you. Geocaching is a readily available app which navigates you to various locations to add to your collection. Letterboxing is very similar but you can collect a stamp on a physical book.
Having had a go at both of these myself, I very much enjoyed letterboxing and the stamps on the more established locations can be beautiful. I loved my book as a souvenir and it made me explore the area in so much more depth than I would of without. Many cities have guided walk scavenger hunts for area of local interest. Or other interesting traditions such as York in the UK with its cat trail.
6. Bring along your hobbies
Some hobbies easily come to mind such as photography when walking but with a bit of creativity others can come alone as well. Many people walk and find a beautiful spot to sketch or take nature rubbings. How about bird watching, identify plants or even clouds. Look for insects or even people watch. Maybe every so often you strike up a yoga pose, or do some squats.
7. Allow yourself to think
There is huge value in being your own company now and again. Some of my best ideas from houseplants to reorganising my entire life have come to me while walking alone. I understand this can be scary at times but it’s hugely valuable for self development.
Many people get lost in doing so many things for other people that they forget or sometimes do not even know what they want themselves. Let your mind wonder, begin at the usual trivial thoughts such as the shopping list and see where you end up. It may lead to some inspirational dinner time conversations.
I also find huge value in simply daydreaming. Nothing beats imagining that luxury holiday or the dream house. Enjoy those moments before reality bursts your bubble or even better carry on walking until you have a plan on how to get there!
8. Enjoy window shopping
Love being in the big city? Then cast your eyes along the beautifully decorated window fronts. Fantasise about that new dress you would look stunning in or playing with a new gadget.
This is particularly satisfying during December where every inch of the high street is sparkling with festivity. I have done a few Christmas light and Christmas market trails before and racked up several kilometres without realising. The mulled wine may have helped.
9. Create voice notes
Finally you can hear yourself think. This is a perfect time to mentally plan for the day, week or project ahead. Every new idea that comes to mind, you can jot it down in a note pad or on your phone but you can even create voice notes. Perhaps your musically talented and want to record a new tune or lyrics than have come to mind. Record it, this way you can still stay in the moment and not look concentration looking at your phone.
10. Walk for a charity
Revel in the acknowledgment that you will be helping a worthwhile cause while you walk. Pick a route to challenge yourself and set up a crowd funding page for any number of incredible charities or simply ask your friends and family. Many charities offer walking events throughout the year, you will likely make many new friends this way.
11. Practice mindful walking
Many people walk with there eyes shut, figuratively speaking. There is so much more to experience when you really engage your senses. I can walk the same walk hundreds of times into town and one day I look up to see the townhouses have beautiful carvings under their roofs.
Allow yourself to look around, hear the wind rustle the leaves in the trees, feel the warmth of the sunshine on your skin and smell the ocean…or the local pub! You can even take this further and feel the pressure in your feet as you walk, the beating of your heart and the depth of your breathing to bring awareness in. I promise you it will bring you a little moment of peace.
12. Spread community spirit
As a child I have very fond memories of a local older gentleman who used to be affectionately known as Moses due to him dressing up in a rope with a staff. He used to bring the whole community such joy through waving and smiling from his little bench.
Perhaps, the whole dress up is a little much but there is nothing stopping you passing off friendly greetings to those you meet or perhaps a good deed or two. You may find the whole process walking alone both less lonely and more rewarding.
13. Do a litter pick
Anyway you can help your local community is widely appreciated and not to mention saving the planet. Bring along some gloves and a bag and pick up the rubbish you see. It can give your walk a whole new purpose. Some seaside locations have even been offering a free cup of coffee for those who fill a bucket with rubbish so if you needed a incentive…
14. Choose a location and time of day you will enjoy
I enjoy walking, but I will not walk alone late at night in a big city. If you hate busy roads, don’t choose to walk alongside. Perhaps you are an early riser and would prefer dawn over a late afternoon mosey. Timing your walk with the sunset can elevate even the most mundane routes.
15. Bring a dog
Man’s best friend will never let you down. They will be willing to trot alongside you and their joy is is simply contagious. You will not feel lonely with your loyal friend by your side. If you do not own a dog of your own, ask to borrow a friends or family members or volunteer at a rescue centre.
16. Call friends or family
Don’t enjoy walking alone? Then don’t! Get up to date with all the gossip as you stroll along the park. If you have wireless headphones with a speaker then it will feel as if they are by your side. You may even get so caught up in the natter that you find you rather not go home.
Your imagination is the only limit to what you can do to make your solo walk more enjoyable but perhaps it is not boredom that ails you. These can all be used on both short and long trips but I also have a post on how to entertain yourself on long hikes if you need more ideas! Check it out here.
For some people, it is not boredom prevents them enjoying solo walks. You are not alone if walking alone makes you nervous so below I have covered a few tips to try and help keep the negative feelings at bay.
How To Stop Feeling Anxious When Walking Alone?
Many people feel a sense of uncertainty when walking alone. This is true regardless of gender but I am speaking from a female perspective so trust me when I say I get it girls. There are two ways I believe make people feel nervous;
- Expecting a highly unlikely life or death situation
- Socially feeling awkward
Firstly, if you are someone who always has a hundred ‘what ifs’ in their head then I would prepare for the worst case scenarios. This is highly unlikely to happen but it always pays to be prepared.
Basic Hiking Preparation And Safety
1. ALWAYS bring a physical map and compass.
Your phone can be a huge navigational tool, especially if you have a power-bank but it should not be relied upon. Signal goes, and phones die in all manner of ways and not to mention you always want enough power to call emergency services if you find yourself in a pickle or need to help someone else. You don’t always need to shell out for large ordnance survey style maps, a waterproofed print out of the area will suffice for shorter walks.
2. ALWAYS tell someone your location and ETA
This way you know someone will come looking for you should you get lost or hurt. Take the persons number, so if you do find yourself wanting to do a different hike then you can get in touch and let them know your new plan. If you text them ensure you receive a response so you can have peace of mind that they got the message.
3. Bring a whistle or panic alarm
A whistle, alongside any shiny objects can help emergency services or other hikers find you in an emergency. Panic alarms, can be more discrete than making calls of you do find yourself in trouble and cannot make a call.
4. Know the local wildlife
They are more scared of you than you are of them! You should never approach an animal in the wild but some cases they may well approach you. In places which do have potentially dangerous wildlife such as snakes or bears it pays to know what to do. The national park service have a whole page dedicated to dealing with bears.
How To Stop Feeling Awkward When Walking Alone?
I used to feel so awkward alone that I would avoid eating out in restaurants until I got told some very useful advice. People simply do not care.
Do you remember going to a cafe with friends or family and judging someone sat or walking alone? Perhaps you just assumed they were waiting for someone or a train. Secondly, even if you do think they are looking or judging you, does it affect your life now? It’s all just thoughts and you should never let people ruin something you enjoy.
This will take practice but using the distraction techniques above will help keep your mind wondering down the anxious stories it likes to tell you. Since I have been travelling alone, I have actually got more compliments and respect for doing so. If they are looking, then they are jealous!
If that still hasn’t convinced you, then try talking a walk alone somewhere quiet where you will not encounter many people. Try a local woodland or national park. I find that even touristy places, once you walked for 1km or so away from the car park or main attraction it becomes significantly quieter. Not to mention that time in nature has been shown to reduce anxiety in general. Win-win.
Obviously, if you feel any level of anxiety if causing you difficulty in your everyday life then it always pays to talk to a professional.
Why Do People Go Walking Alone?
Still need some encouragement to walk alone? There are so many benefits to the solo hiking that once it clicks with you, I have no doubt you will love it. Here are the positives to walking alone.
1. You can go at your own pace
Got friends that drag their heels or half way to the horizon already? It is so much nicer being able to set a pace that is comfortable for you and with no complaining!
2. You can choose your own route
I have done this on several walks now, where I have seen a waterfall or feature in the distance and want to make a detour to it. You can either be stubborn and do what you like anyway or you end up wasting time have a discussion for someone to be unhappy with the decision. By yourself there is no compromise!
3. You can eat, rest and sightsee whenever it suits you
On your 6th snack and it has only been 10 mins? You do you! When you are by yourself there is no one to tell you when to stop, when to eat or when to drink. If you want to relax by a stream for an hour then go for it.
Only things you have to bare in mind is never eat your emergency food (unless of course it is an emergency) and make sure you have enough supplies for the duration of the hike and you have a plan to be somewhere safe by nightfall.
4. Meet new people
Hikers are a friendly bunch and I can’t count how many times I got chatting to someone else on the trail. Always pop a friendly hello to those you meet and be open to making new friends.
5. No one will make annoying noises
I love listening to the birds sing, the wind through the trees and the general tranquility that walking through the countryside brings.
Not everyone is so considerate and I have hiked with people who have started singing or never shut up about work. I am trying to get away from work here! I do enjoy a good natter but sometimes you cannot appreciate the music of nature without other people around.
Conclusion
There we have it! Walking alone is so versatile that there are so many ways to keep yourself busy or free from anxiety. I hope you are inspired to give walking alone another go and trial a few different methods until you wished you started sooner! Happy Hiking!
