Yesterday I had a truly blissful moment. It was around 5:00 PM in the afternoon. I’d just finished swimming some laps at the local pool. The sun was out, and the temperature was warm enough for San Francisco (which is to say: slightly cool). Being a local pool, I walk there instead of drive. A short 20 minutes of pre and post exercise. That walk back home yesterday was the best post-workout high I’ve experienced in a long time.
I’m generally a fast walker, but yesterday afternoon I walked at a far slower pace. Partly because I was tired from the cardio at the pool, and partly because I so present in the moment. What would I be in the hurry for anyways? Absolutely nothing. Saturday is for slowing down and enjoying life. At least it still is for my single, zero children lifestyle. Those of you with kids: sorry, Saturday is for spending more time with them!
It never gets old how utterly walkable (almost) everything is around me. Not only is it a time and planet savor, but I’ve come to enjoy walking to places. The air quality in this part of the city is fairly decent, plus I get that all-important sun exposure for those precious vitamin Ds. If a spot is within a mile or so radius from home, I’m walking. Unless of course I need to buy a big bag of rice from H Mart. Then the car comes into play.
Or when the weather is inclement. Walking in the rain is no fun, poncho or otherwise.
Suburbia may appeal to me at a later stage in life. For now, I don’t see myself giving up on this entirely walkable situation any time soon. Not for two times the salary would I go back to having a soul-sucking car commute. How you seen how crazy the drivers are on the freeways lately? My 10 minute walk to work is almost therapeutic in comparison.