Walking without a purpose

August 9th, 2024

I don't remember when was the last time I walked anywhere without a purpose. Or rather, if I had no purpose, then I would walk anywhere. Or something. There is always some underlying intention, from getting from point A to point B, to getting the right quantity of steps and exercise. Even when there is no aim in my walking, there is a purpose — like when I am visiting a new city and I walk here and there without having a destination, there is still a purpose of seeing as much as I can. The same in nature — I may meander through the forest or fields, but the underlying purpose is to enjoy the fresh air, see things, and get exercise. How would I go about going out for a walk without a purpose? That would require monumental mental work to stop my mind from assigning a reason for going out on a walk, and in the same vein — walking without a set route and plan is difficult for me when I am in an area I know well. Still, I would like to enjoy that freedom if I ever can reach it. On a bigger scale, everything I do from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep has to have some reason and purpose. I cannot recall in the last year or so doing something just for the sake of doing it, or maybe even for no sake at all. I know I am too organized and purposeful in my life. I feel fine with it, but at the same time, I feel constrained by that purposefulness more and more.