Reviving Your Walking Mojo: How to Fall in Love with Your Steps Again

Some days, strapping on shoes feels harder than running a marathon… If you’ve lost the oomph to move honestly, you’re in good company. I’ve been there. But walking isn’t just about exercise, it’s the crack that lets your creativity shine through. When you stop, everything else starts unraveling; first the walks, then the creativity, and eventually, you’re eating chips from the bag on the couch. I like the kettle chips...and no I can't eat just one. Sound familiar?

But I’ve found three dead-simple ways to get your groove back number three will surprise you. You ready?

Make Walking Fun (Your Way)

You might think walking is just a “solo sport,” but I’ve seen it work every which way. One time I met two ladies on my route, best friends who walked together every single day. Decades! Even when one couldn’t go, the other still showed up. Accountability is magic. If you don't have a pal to walk with, borrow the neighbor’s dog. Or just call a friend while you’re out… yes, people still do talk on the phone, lol.

Don’t have a walking buddy? Join an online community. Post your walk photos; cheer for others. Sometimes the best walks are with yourself, hashing things out in your head. (Okay, maybe not always the best… but you get it.)

Track Something That Actually Matters

Here’s the messy truth: if your favorite thing to track is your weight, let. It. Go. Especially if nothing’s moving. Walking’s more than numbers it’s about energy, freedom in your body, and feeling good. Stress causes weight gain anyway, so stop with the punishment. Track your movement, your mood, how bold you feel because you moved your feet, even if it’s just around the block. I started tracking just my activity and noticed the pressure melted away.

You want a fancy tracker? Great! Most smartphones do the job, for free. Find “activity tracker” in the app store. Free versions usually have ads—but honestly, you don’t need gadgets to prove you’ve moved. If you want to get fancy with splits and GPS, upgrade. But don’t let any app guilt you for taking a rest day. Rest days make you stronger.

The reward? A little digital firework, your step count shown in neon, something to celebrate… and no shame if you skipped yesterday. Just keep moving.

Stack Your Guilty Pleasures (Yes, I Said Scroll)

Here's the real talk, I don’t love scrolling. Multitasking while walking isn’t the “gold standard” for zen or creativity, but if guilt’s standing between you and a walk… flip it. Enjoy the thing you usually deny yourself. Just keep your eyes up; don’t walk into traffic.

On the treadmill? Turn the TV on, respond to emails, do whatever it takes. You don’t have to “earn” your guilty pleasure afterward. Give it to yourself during. The caveat: make a pact to scale back the multitasking once the habit sticks. The long-term payoff of walking is a mind-body recharge, not just a box to tick.

Remember This: Messy Is Magic, Not Just Movement

Do it dirty. Do it weird. Do it absolutely wrong according to the “rules.” What matters is the doing, not the perfection.

Some days a walk is five minutes. Other times you’ll feel the rush and go longer. The trick is starting. Usually, five minutes in, you’re glad you did. But give yourself grace, breaks are necessary, just don’t let a short break turn into a lost year.

Recap: In Your Shoes

Make it SOCIAL, even if it means kidnapping the neighbor’s dog (I did… returned it the same day, don’t worry).
Track movement, not weight. Celebrate every damn step!
Give yourself reward WHILE you walk. Messy counts.
Need a kick in the butt? Come back to this whenever motivation flees.

Action Steps (Real Life, No Excuses)

Call a friend mid-walk, even if it feels awkward.
Download a free step tracker and ignore all the weight nags!
Pair walking with your favorite guilty pleasure (scroll, binge, laugh).
Celebrate five minutes, not just five miles.
Share the journey, the whole messy and sweaty thing.