4 ms·

I think(at least in America, or less walkable cities) this is becoming a lost art. So many of my friends simply can't imagine what an hour or two might look lik

by mym1990 4y ago

I think(at least in America, or less walkable cities) this is becoming a lost art. So many of my friends simply can't imagine what an hour or two might look like without being preoccupied by something. Walking to them is a boring activity, a pointless one. But when I do it, its almost like my mind just explodes with creativity, I notice the smallest details that would otherwise pass me by. And its a great form of low intensity exercise to boot!

gffrd 4y ago
> when I do it, its almost like my mind just explodes with creativity, I notice the smallest details that would otherwise pass me by. Man, did this resonate with me: some of my some of my best ideas, my most profound revelations have occurred while strolling and allowing myself to be swept up with what's happening around me. It doesn't happen with driving, and happens less with cycling. You must be on-foot. I'd encourage anyone reading this who hasn't before/in a while: make some time where you have no time constraint, and go stroll. Leave your watch, your phone. Wander past the point of feeling like "I should go back now" or "I want to go work on that thing." Don't suppress the thoughts of things you should be doing … but allow your curiosity to be tickled by whatever's around; follow it.
dreadlordbone 4y ago
This might seem awful, but I do this in my car. I'll just take random routes and drive around seeing different parts of neighborhoods or cities. I'd much prefer walking but that's not very reasonable for where I am.
- autoexec 4y ago
  I don't see a problem with it, although (gas prices aside) it's not ideal since I find it hard to really look around while I drive, especially in places that are unfamiliar. I once lived at a place I'd stayed at for a couple of years and it wasn't until I was moving out that I realized I'd never once taken a left turn from my own driveway! These days I tend to do that kind of neighborhood wandering in google maps/earth.
nicbou 4y ago
That's because walking sucks in most of North America. My home town doesn't even bother with sidewalks in many places. You have loud roads with giant parking lots and quiet neighborhoods with only houses and no businesses. The countryside is all fenced up, so you can't just walk between fields and into forests. You pretty much need to drive to a park. I can't speak for all of Europe, but Germany has a gigantic network of bicycle and foot paths where you can be truly in nature. Cities have mixed housing with cafés, pubs and other businesses. The countryside is criss-crossed with quiet paths that are accessible to all. I couldn't pinpoint why I enjoy Canada less and less until I realised how flânerie became ingrained in my habits in Germany. I just pack water, snacks and a notebook and bike around all day. I meet friends in cafés, read by the river, eat pastries in parks etc. That's simply not doable in large parts of NA.

gffrd 4y ago

> when I do it, its almost like my mind just explodes with creativity, I notice the smallest details that would otherwise pass me by. Man, did this resonate with me: some of my some of my best ideas, my most profound revelations have occurred while strolling and allowing myself to be swept up with what's happening around me. It doesn't happen with driving, and happens less with cycling. You must be on-foot. I'd encourage anyone reading this who hasn't before/in a while: make some time where you have no time constraint, and go stroll. Leave your watch, your phone. Wander past the point of feeling like "I should go back now" or "I want to go work on that thing." Don't suppress the thoughts of things you should be doing … but allow your curiosity to be tickled by whatever's around; follow it.

dreadlordbone 4y ago

This might seem awful, but I do this in my car. I'll just take random routes and drive around seeing different parts of neighborhoods or cities. I'd much prefer walking but that's not very reasonable for where I am.

autoexec 4y ago
I don't see a problem with it, although (gas prices aside) it's not ideal since I find it hard to really look around while I drive, especially in places that are unfamiliar. I once lived at a place I'd stayed at for a couple of years and it wasn't until I was moving out that I realized I'd never once taken a left turn from my own driveway! These days I tend to do that kind of neighborhood wandering in google maps/earth.

nicbou 4y ago

That's because walking sucks in most of North America. My home town doesn't even bother with sidewalks in many places. You have loud roads with giant parking lots and quiet neighborhoods with only houses and no businesses. The countryside is all fenced up, so you can't just walk between fields and into forests. You pretty much need to drive to a park. I can't speak for all of Europe, but Germany has a gigantic network of bicycle and foot paths where you can be truly in nature. Cities have mixed housing with cafés, pubs and other businesses. The countryside is criss-crossed with quiet paths that are accessible to all. I couldn't pinpoint why I enjoy Canada less and less until I realised how flânerie became ingrained in my habits in Germany. I just pack water, snacks and a notebook and bike around all day. I meet friends in cafés, read by the river, eat pastries in parks etc. That's simply not doable in large parts of NA.