where it all started
We all had to walk in covid, there was no choice. You could either get bored as hell inside all day or head out for a walk, at least once a day! It was just the thing… Before covid, did I enjoy walking? Honestly, no I couldn’t think of anything more slow and painful, I was a runner and enjoyed the thrill of trying to beat my last time. What covid gave me was the time to slow down and take the world in. I hadn’t had time to do this with running before. After a few weeks of walking around my block I slowly got into the flow of the daily walk life. So much so I was walking twice a day most days. I was getting a mental break heading out, working through my thoughts, looking around the neighbourhood and enjoying many sunset skys.
Fast forward towards the end of covid and I remember as clear as day heading out on my usual walk, by now I had run about 50 creative ideas through my head, however 1 stuck. It just came to me, why do I need to stop walking when the lockdowns lift? What have I missed the most? (Connection) and How do I put these two together so I never have to miss either of them again?! It hit me that some type of walking community was what I should perhaps create, for myself, yet most importantly for other women that felt the same way. I rushed home and started googling walking groups in Auckland.
After running the idea past my partner and a few close friends who are still on the journey with me today, I thought why the hell not and started the instagram page and put up a post for the first walk! Only 4 ladies turned up to that first walk, I’ll never forget it was the worst rain i’d seen in Auckland and driving out to Bethell’s felt dangerous. Was I mad? It turned out to be such a beautiful day and so was born the She Walk’s community!
Now if you had said we would be here 3 years later launching a website, membership and new logo I wouldn’t have believed you, yet here we are and it makes my heart smile so much that we can bring you some of the best half-day and full-day women’s walking experiences on the North Island.
If we’ve met before, thank you so much for supporting this community, If we’re yet to meet, hey you! Come for a walk with us soon…
Much Walking Love Kayleigh x
