Walk & Talk
Walk & Talk is a practice where you walk while thinking through problems, reflecting on ideas, or having conversations with yourself. It's simple: you walk, and you think. No phone, no distractions, just movement and thought.
The name comes from the idea that you're having a conversation with yourself—talking through problems, exploring ideas, working through decisions. The walking part isn't incidental. Movement changes how you think. Your body moves, your mind follows.
Why it's valuable
Most thinking happens while sitting. We sit at desks, in chairs, on couches. But sitting is static. Your body is still, your mind defaults to familiar patterns. Walking breaks those patterns.
When you walk, your brain works differently. Studies show walking improves creative thinking, problem-solving, and memory. But you don't need studies to know this. Try it. Take a problem you've been stuck on, go for a walk, and see what happens.
There's also the rhythm. Walking creates a steady pace that helps thoughts flow. It's meditative without trying to be. You're not forcing yourself to think—you're just moving, and thoughts come naturally.
And there's the separation. Walking takes you away from your desk, your screen, your usual environment. New context, new perspectives. Problems that seemed impossible at your desk sometimes solve themselves on a walk.
How to do it yourself
There's no right way, but here's what works for me:
- No phone. Leave it behind. If you need it for safety, put it in airplane mode. The point is to be present, not distracted.
- No destination required. You can walk in circles, back and forth, anywhere. The movement matters more than where you're going.
- Start with a question. What problem are you trying to solve? What decision are you making? What idea are you exploring? Have something in mind, then let your thoughts wander.
- Let your mind drift. Don't force specific thoughts. Walk, and see where your mind goes. Sometimes the best insights come from unexpected directions.
- Duration varies. Some walks are 20 minutes. Some are two hours. Walk until you feel done, or until you need to be somewhere else.
- Write it down after. If you have insights, capture them when you get back. Memory is unreliable. Write down what you thought about, what you decided, what you realized.
That's it. No special equipment, no app, no technique. Just walk and think. The practice is the thing.
My sessions
Total: 0 sessions
Sessions will be added here as they happen. Each entry includes when it happened, where, how long, and any reflections or insights from that walk.