Strolling Towards Peace: How Daily Walks Boost My Mental Health

Jessi Hersey
Neurodivergent Life
2 min readSep 8, 2024

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It all began when I made the brave decision to pursue my passion for writing and content creation. After experiencing burnout in one of my previous jobs, I knew I needed a change that would not only fulfill me creatively but also sustain me financially. However, before I could embark on this new journey, I had to confront the state of my mental health, which had deteriorated to the point where I felt utterly hopeless and unwanted, burdened by relentless self-doubt.

Pexel Image by Eugene Lisyuk

Every day felt like an uphill battle against the negative thoughts that plagued my mind, whispering cruel words of inadequacy and worthlessness. “I am not enough,” they would say, or “Why can’t you be like everyone else?” These were the painful echoes that fueled my spiraling mental state. Neglecting self-care became the norm, and activities like my routine walks, which used to bring peace and clarity, fell by the wayside.

But I knew I couldn’t continue down this path of self-destruction. I needed to reclaim control over my life and rebuild a healthier routine during this transitional period. So, I made a commitment to myself to prioritize my well-being. Starting with just 15 minutes, I gradually increased the duration of my morning walks until I was back to the invigorating hour-long strolls that I once cherished.

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Jessi Hersey
Neurodivergent Life

Queer Neurodivergent author on Netflix's "Escaping Twin Flames." animal lover, and believer in inclusion. 🌈🐾