Posted by Readwalking. Reading while walking.
I’ve noticed more and more people doing this recently. I don’t get it. Maybe someone can explain it to me?
Is it that your life is so busy that you can’t possibly find any other time in the day to read?
Perhaps the book you’re reading is THAT good. We’ve all been there.
Or maybe you just enjoy doing two things at once.
But even though all those reasons make sense (sort of), I still don’t understand readwalking.
Both acts, reading and walking, are more enjoyable when done on their own. Sitting down to read a book is one of life’s greatest pleasures. And walking is by far one of my favourite pastimes. A good long walk outside can clear your head and help you see things in a different way. As a writer, reading is essential. And so is getting in some form of exercise. But I don’t feel an overwhelming desire to combine those two things.
And while that whole ban on texting while walking turned out to be a fake, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to pass a law that would force people to do one thing at a time, since we can’t seem to manage that on our own. I urge you to try just walking, with your head up and your eyes focused on what’s ahead. It’s liberating! And when you want to read, sit down and enjoy it. Please.
But, in case you’d like to give readwalking a try, I was actually able to find tips on how to read while walking.
(Practice in a mall first? Wow.)
And if the possibility of getting hit by a car, biker, or another pedestrian doesn’t dissuade you, how about the chance that you’ll walk right into a bear? It could happen.
(About a week after posting this, I came across this agreat article on TIME.com: A Book Lover’s Guide to Reading and Walking at the Same Time.)