Jill Thomas is a rambler, traveler, and storyteller with a big laugh who believes life takes her where she needs to go, no matter the roundabout path.
"I am extremely happy walking on the downs; I like to have space to spread my mind out in." (Virginia Woolf's diary, September 5, 1926).
I've never seen a down, but I suspect walking them would improve my mood because I have learned that you can heal a broken heart by rambling.
Life delivered me lots of complicated stuff between 2019 and 2024. I lost a close friend who slowly died from a broken heart and a painful illness. Then, the world went crazy with pandemic lockdowns, divisive politics, and racially motivated murders. As the pandemic progressed, its conspiracies strained and broke several vital relationships in my life.
Then, in the spring of 2022, my sister was diagnosed with ALS, unleashing trauma I wasn't equipped to manage, and my brain broke. She passed away 14 months later.
While my sister was sick, I found myself in a dissociative state I nicknamed "My Fugue." The Fugue made everyday activities like work, chores, and social life feel like wading through mud. I craved only solitude.
Through it all, I rambled. During the worst of it, for several hours daily. I re-negotiated my obligations and endured overuse injuries to make space for long rambles for the sake of my sanity. Rambling enabled me to calm my mind, think of something else and wore my body out so I could sleep. I literally moved through my pain.
Research shows that I'm not alone in this discovery and that taking long walks can provide solace to those who are struggling with mental trauma. Walking offers many therapeutic benefits that help restore our cognitive and emotional well-being.
Trauma often makes people feel disconnected from the present moment, which exacerbates anxiety and dissociation (hence my feeling of The Fugue). Walking encourages mindfulness and induces a meditative state. This, in turn, helps regulate our emotions and restores the balance between our minds and bodies.
I found that my grief and the associated anxiety prevailed during the first mile or two, but that around mile three, I started to become more aware of my surroundings and found it easier to ground myself in the present moment.
Long walks also provided me an opportunity for introspection and reflection, enabling me to safely explore my thoughts and emotions in a nonjudgmental environment. These hours of mobile solitude were empowering and allowed me to confront and process my trauma at my own pace. Walking helped me listen to my inner voice, gain clarity, and build resilience.
Through it all, I learned that my soul likes to walk; it's how I work out the complex problems of my life or at least take a rest from the worry of them. I sometimes wonder if when life throws me another giant curveball I might find myself Forrest Gumping my way across a continent on foot. It's not an impossible idea. Others have done it before me, and I have come to understand the impulse.
In 2013, Angela Maxwell decided to walk around the world – she walked alone for six and a half years. She says, "I didn't start walking because I was fearless – but rather because I was terrified. I was afraid of losing everything I owned and loved." She was inspired by Robyn Davidson, who traversed Australia with camels, and Rosie Swale-Pope, who, at age 59, jogged around the world, both for therapeutic reasons of their own.
Now, I'm born again, a convert, a rambling evangelist, and an inspired advocate for the therapeutic benefits of a long walk.
Sole Sister Ramblers and the inspiration it imparts supported me through it all. In short, rambling saved me, and today, I feel emotionally and physically strong. Rambling continues to help me process my grief.
I'm relieved to have nurtured an aptitude for walking because I now know that with aging comes loss, and I feel reassured that I will have rambling to help me get through it.
Has rambling impacted your life? Do you find walking or another kind of daily movement therapeutic? I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.
READ MORE > JT'S Tales From The Trail, Rambler Cafe
I’ve just entered the stage in life I’ve called Act V. It’s been a tumultuous year with more miracles than misadventure. Having decided to leave a two decade sojourn in the south of France, repatriating to Victoria and starting from ground zero has been frequently overwhelming. What’s kept me sane(ish) was walking—even if it was only to downtown destinations or in the neighbourhood. Being back with tree energy coupled with strangers on the street who make eye contact and smile has given me wings! Ramble on.
Great article. It reminds me to get off the couch and walk out the door.
Hi
Reading your article was interesting, thank you. I do lots of walking in nature, where I feel alive, strong and in awe towards nature.
However, I never know what to think about, what are my priorities in life how-to work on them. I get overwhelmed and get upset.
Is it something you have experienced too?
Thank you,
Josie
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