Walking, But Differently

Why walking with others felt different in ways I didn’t expect

I’ve been walking more recently, intentionally.

Partly because I know how much it helps, and partly because I’ve realised how much harder it can feel to motivate myself through the winter months. There’s something about the shorter days that makes it easier to stay inside, even when you know getting out would help. I wrote earlier this year about movement and walking for winter wellbeing, and how much difference those gentler moments can make when the days feel shorter and heavier.

And so I found myself looking forward to spring this year. The longer days, the lighter mornings, the sense that it might feel easier again. I always have more energy in the spring and thought I might be able to create more time and opportunities to get outside.

With that mindset, I decided to try something new. A local walking group.

I’ve always been a fan of trying new things in midlife.  Finding one that said it was for 'Women aged 40+ who want connection, confidence, community, gentle adventure and healthy movement. Beginners are very welcome.' appealed to me so I decided to give it a go.

What felt different walking with others

I’ve always enjoyed walking on my own.

It’s where I think, process, and clear my head. But I found walking with others different in a way I hadn’t quite expected.

The pace felt easier. The miles passed without really noticing. There was conversation at times, and quiet at others, but neither felt forced.

It wasn’t a full-on social experience, more a steady companionship. The kind where you can dip in and out of conversation, or simply walk alongside someone without needing to fill the space.

One of the recent Circle of Steps walks by the Thames, near Marlow

Being led changed the experience

One of the things I noticed most was how much I enjoyed being led.

Not having to think about the route, or where I was going next. Just following, trusting the guide, and taking in what was around me.

On one walk, we crossed open farmland before climbing steeply to a view that looked back across the Thames. The kind of view that makes you pause, even briefly.

Another took us along the Thames Path, through woodland, and out into open spaces that felt much bigger than I expected for somewhere so close to home.

There was a coffee stop in Hambleden, a small village that felt like it belonged in a film set, and as one of the women told me, it actually has appeared many times on screen. On another walk, driftwood sculptures on Harleyford Golf Course, something you might never come across unless you were a golfer there.

What struck me most was how much there is, so close by, that I hadn’t really seen before.

Six miles on a Sunday morning, and it felt like I’d had a weekend away.

Chalk stream, open fields and signs of spring near Hambleden.

Noticing more as the seasons shift

It’s early spring as I write this, and everything feels like it’s just starting to shift.

The green feels brighter, almost sharper. Blossom lingering a little longer than usual. The first signs of bluebells beginning to appear.

I found myself noticing more. Not rushing past things in the same way.

And something about starting at 8:30 in the morning has its own quiet appeal. The roads are clearer, the air feels different, and there’s a sense of having the whole day ahead of you.

It feels less like exercise, and more like an adventure.

It also connects to some of my earlier reflections on slowing down and making more space for the things that genuinely motivate and uplift you, rather than constantly feeling the need to be performative or productive.

The quieter benefits of walking

More and more, walking has become about the benefits for my own wellbeing, rather than steps or fitness.

And if anything, walking with others has made those benefits even more noticeable.

It feels easier to keep going, easier to stay present, and easier to enjoy the moment rather than rush through it.

Walking with others, without pressure

I went with a friend on these two occasions, more by coincidence than needing my hand to be held. I’d have been equally comfortable going on my own.  Shelley is a great host and makes everyone feel welcome. It really wouldn’t matter if I knew anyone or not.  Actually, I think part of the appeal is the changing mix of women and the fact it isn’t always the same group.

There’s something about being part of a group without expectation. You’re together, but not required to be “on” in any particular way.

And a big part of that came down to the way it was held.

Circle of Steps isn’t just about the route. There’s a sense of being looked after. Small things, like pointing out details you might otherwise miss, or pausing on a steep climb without making it feel like you’re holding anyone up.

At one point, I was properly out of breath, stopping for water and trying to catch up with myself. There was no pressure, no sense of needing to keep up. Just space to move at your own pace.

It felt less like being guided, and more like being hosted.

And that made a difference.

Why this matters in midlife (and why I tried something new)

There’s something about this stage of life where trying new things can feel both appealing and slightly unfamiliar.

And yet, those small changes, like joining a walking group, can open something up.

A different way of moving through your day. A different way of being around people. A reminder that it doesn’t have to be complicated to feel good.

It’s also where I’ve often found myself lately, considering what genuinely brings me joy and reflecting on the smaller things that lift my mood when motivation feels low.

A different way of walking

It caught me by surprise how different the experience felt walking with others, in a way that made it more enjoyable and more effortless.

If you’ve been thinking about getting out more, or trying something new, this might be something to consider.

I’ll definitely be joining more of Shelley’s walks over the coming months, especially with a mix of weekend and evening walks planned. I can completely understand why Shelley’s new venture has already become so popular.

Not just for steps or fitness.

For how it makes you feel.