The Fresh Look Editing 5 for January 2022
On January 1, 2021, I decided to go for a walk. I don’t remember exactly why, only that I felt the need to go outside, breathe some fresh air, and try to calm the anxiety the COVID-19 pandemic and other concerns had unleashed on my brain.
I enjoyed my walk, but didn’t think it a monumental event. The next day, I decided to go for another walk. Then I went for another on January 3. Next thing I knew, I’d walked every day for an entire week. That week snowballed into two. Then a month. Somewhere along the way, I commented to my husband “hahaha, wouldn’t it be something if I could keep this up for a year?”
Fast forward: December 31, 2021
Daily Walk Count: 365
For those who read my New Year’s blog for 2021, you may remember I love countdowns and looking back on the year that was. I also mentioned in that post I’m no health and wellness expert, nor do I have life-changing advice or insights. But I do want to share how taking that first walk has changed me and how all the physical steps I’ve taken have led to some pretty big metaphorical ones.
1. Do look up
I used to go on spontaneous (and sporadic) walks mainly as a means to get some exercise, enjoy particularly nice weather, or let my kids run off some energy. In my pre-car days, walking was a mere necessity if I’d missed the bus. If I’m honest with myself, I didn’t go on walks with the goal of paying attention to the micro details of my surroundings.
Beautiful tree? Great! Lost coffee cup poking out of the snow? Ugh, why do people litter? But did I notice the beautiful tree has berries that hang on for dear life and keep their colour even as the seasons change? Did I really think about how that empty coffee cup may have accidentally fallen from the bag of a frazzled parent who was just trying desperately to get their child to walk one more block home?
It wasn’t until I started walking daily I realized I was starting to live some of the most magical and introspective moments the world has to offer on autopilot. It surprised me because I pride myself on having good attention to detail, although that was detail in planning, or detail on a screen or sheet of paper. The detail in my own neighbourhood was missing. Walking every day has helped me look up, and more importantly, look around.
2. The outdoors is not your enemy (most of the time)
I am a born and raised Canadian, and I live in the northernmost major city in the country. I can take a lot of weather. A minus 40-degree windchill is miserable but it doesn’t scare me… so long as I’m running from the safety of my warm vehicle to an even warmer building. Still, I’m the daughter of immigrants who come from the Caribbean. (Translation: Island weather is in my veins.) I’m not the outdoorsy type. Why on earth would I willingly want to walk in inclement weather?
I feel like I finally embraced the attitude of “alright, let’s do this” in 2021. My home province experienced forest fire smoke, an extreme heat wave, prolonged cold snaps, and the usual rain/snow/wind in the past year. Speaking as a person who would rather hide inside from all that, I’m very proud I found ways of embracing the challenges while trying to be smart about it. Layer, walk at night, mask up, run through the rain, make it short — adaptation is the name of the game. Whatever it takes to keep going.
3. Community matters
I would not have been able to achieve this without my support system. My husband and kids gave me gentle (sometimes not so!) reminders when I needed a kick in the butt to get off the couch and into my coat. My family and friends in real life cheered me on and walked with me. My colleagues and friends on social media liked my posts, checked in on my progress, and shared stories of their own walking journeys. To all of you who propped me up and encouraged me to keep going, thank you 365 times over!
My story would not be complete without a mention of my #StetWalk community on Twitter. Created by editor Tanya Gold and named by fellow editor Heather Saunders, the #StetWalk movement began as a way for editors, writers, and other creatives to get up from their desks, take a walk outside, and share pictures from their adventures. Seeing the world through the eyes of others was amazing motivation to keep going and share my experiences, too. (Want to learn more? Check out The #StetWalk Story as told by the creators and some dedicated walkers from around the world!)
4. I can define my own success
My walks weren’t always epic forays into the river valley or 1-hour hikes to new neighbourhoods. Sometimes, a walk was just a quick jaunt to the fire hydrant down the street. I walked laps in my backyard. The victory came when I left my house, walked down the steps, and moved. Intention was more important than distance.
It made me think a lot about freelancing. Before I set out on my editing journey, I never pictured myself as someone capable of owning her own business. What if I didn’t find any clients? What if I filed something incorrectly and the tax collector came for me? Worse yet, what if I wasn’t taken seriously, especially compared to more experienced wordsmiths?
I’ve heard good advice from my colleagues since becoming a professional editor — define success on your own terms. I don’t have to keep traditional 9 to 5 hours. I don’t need to edit the next great Canadian novel (though wouldn’t that be nice)! I don’t have to compare myself to what “everyone else is doing.” All I need to do is build my business in a way that is satisfying for me and beneficial to my clients. Walking every day has become a physical manifestation of this.
I don’t need to train for a marathon; I am satisfied with challenging myself to be the best and most courageous Alicia I can be. Forgiving myself for the days when I’m not is a gift. That realization feels pretty amazing.
5. Self care is a must
“Oh, you can’t take care of everyone else and not yourself?” she says. “But, I’m a boss/mother/partner/daughter/friend/world citizen/etc etc…” Turns out, the answer is no. I often wonder how many of us take time to truly practice self care. I attended a wonderful workshop with a network of phenomenal professional women a few months ago. The leader said something that resonated so deeply with me I had to write it down: Fall in love with taking care of yourself.
I am a work in progress when it comes to self care but I am learning to embrace this mindset. Getting out of my house and walking every day is just for me. Sure, I’ve walked with family and friends from time to time, but I walk for myself. It’s time to refocus, reenergize, and breathe. I neglected to do that for a long time, even when those closest to me encouraged me to. Starting to walk was a reminder that my mind and body need care, too. It’s become something I look forward to, something I crave, and a success I can share with others. It’s quiet time for my soul. It’s my own little movement, an act of defiance in a world that demands constant hustle.
My daily walk has turned me around. I couldn’t be more grateful.
What do you do for self care? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #FreshLookEdit5.
THE #STETWALK STORY
VIDEO CREATED BY:
Sue Archer (Web | Twitter)
Tanya Gold (Web | Twitter)
Kristen Tatroe (Web | Twitter)
#STETWALK MOVEMENT CREATED BY:
Tanya Gold
#STETWALK MOVEMENT NAMED BY:
Heather Saunders (Web | Twitter)
PHOTO CREDIT: Alicia Chantal and the Chantal Family