Walking and Writing

Like many before me, I found out that thinking and walking go hand in hand. I decided to leverage this fact to improve my writings by undergoing a one-week experiment.

The concept is simple: I spend one to two hours walking along the Danube or in parks, with a few small sheets of paper and a pen in my pockets. 

I don’t have any headphones. I leave my smartphone at home. I walk alone. I don’t follow a route.

I am only allowed to stop to sit, stay hydrated, or write down my thoughts.

Life is movement. Walking triggers hidden mental mechanisms. The goal is simple: I want to let my mind and legs wander, feel what happens, and whether yes or not I can learn anything from the experiment.

I was tempted to take my phone to record my voice rather than using my hands, but I decided it was best to avoid carrying any extra weight or possible source of distraction.

I happen to live close to Budapest’s Margaret Island and the Heroes’ Square, two huge parks filled with green trees and walking paths. Those two locations should be perfect for this introspective work.

If I find it to improve significantly my general mood and the quantity or quality of my writings, I’ll think about making it a habit. For now, let’s gather some data.