A morning routine can be hard to start.
Not every day, I jump out of bed and get ready to start walking. This led me to experiment with a group on Meetup to see if there would be any interest in keeping me accountable. Within two days of launching earlier this week, the group has over 60 members.
Today we met for the first walk. It was myself, an Egyptian guy who is also my neighbor, and a Dutch guy who traveled from the other side of the city.
We explored a path I had found weeks ago, leading through an open pathway through Penha de França down to the Tagus River. An enjoyable morning stroll. It was helpful to have the accountability to show up at this hour, just after 9 am.
The other participants expressed similar sentiments. How awesome it was to bring people together just to walk. A simple practice that can have so many effects on your life. We discussed how the positives of walking show up in other areas of our lives. The Dutch walker even said he prefers walking more than going to the gym for physical activity because it is simply more relaxing. I agree. As a non-gym goer, the meditative practice of walking and enjoying your surroundings in nature is what I am seeking to start my day.
This accountability has been helpful in my writing groups and helping me continue to publish, even when my intense writing doubts overtake my typing muscles. I turn towards routine and accountability to build healthy habits I want to thread into my life.
‘Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement’ - James Clear
We keep showing up for ourselves and our accountability groups through writing and walking one step at a time.
Thank you for supporting Walking in Lisbon! If you can join us, find us on Meetup.
Please share your journey below if you were inspired to walk or start a walking group.
I love seeing the birth of your meetup! What a sweet photo of everyone. I can’t believe you have 60 members already, that’s amazing! They’re lucky to have such a rockstar community manager like yourself.