Mindful Walking Along the Seine
A long, mindful walk through Paris that transformed stress into calm and reminded me to be present.
This Sunday turned out very differently than I expected.
I did not plan to walk 32.29 kilometers. I did not plan much at all.
I woke up around 8:45 in the morning feeling anxious and stressed. That heavy feeling was already there. It reminded me of some of my worst weekends in the past. On those days, I stayed inside, trapped in my own thoughts. I kept asking myself the same questions again and again, going deeper into my thoughts but finding no answers.
Those weekends were full of frustration. I blamed others for my own actions. I felt angry at life. I kept asking myself why I felt this way and whether I was the only one who experienced this. I thought about how hard I had worked to build a better life, and then I questioned if it was worth living like this, constantly chased by my own thoughts. I was very hard on myself and often wondered why I felt so complex.
That was my usual pattern.
But last Sunday, something changed while I was making tea. It happened instantly. I felt the need to do something different. I decided to go for a long walk, without overthinking it.
I charged my phone and my watch. During the walk, I used my phone only twice. Once to take a picture, and once to stay connected with my family.
I walked for almost seven hours.
While walking, I tried to stay in the present moment. I still got lost in my thoughts many times, but each time I gently brought my attention back to where I was. I focused on each step.
I walked from my apartment toward the Eiffel Tower, following the River Seine. Along the way, I passed many famous places like the Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Michel Notre Dame, Louvre etc. I saw people from all over the world. Tourists and strangers filled the streets. When our eyes met, I exchanged smiles with them. These small moments felt warm and human.
I did not carry any water or food. Surprisingly, I did not feel tired. I kept telling myself that I had trained a lot before and that I could easily walk for many hours. That thought gave me confidence and calm.
When I reached my destination, I sat down and meditated for about 30 minutes. I enjoyed the atmosphere around me. People were talking, laughing, taking photos, and running along the river. The energy felt alive and peaceful at the same time.
At the end of the day, I felt different.
I felt alive.
I felt accomplished.
I felt proud that I had done something good for my mental and physical health.
It felt like I was planting a seed for my future.
This was the same path where I used to run last year. This time, I chose mindful walking instead. I truly enjoyed it.
I want to do this more often. It helps me reconnect with myself and recharge my energy.
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple walk to change how we feel.