18. Running Errands

I was first a girl from two small towns, and then became a suburbanite as a young adult. I do not have access to public transportation, so I spend 90 minutes a day commuting to and from work. I like where I live. I've chosen a location where most of the shopping and services I need are relatively close. I can drive to the library, grocery, and dry cleaner with relative ease, but none of the services I need on a daily basis are accessible by foot.

The daily walks have added a new dimension to my productivity. By folding errands into some days' meditative walking—to the bank to deposit money, to the shoe repair shop, to the post office, and to the bookstore I feel the modern stress of “so much to do, so little time” ease. Just an errand a day or two a week, and the stress dissipates.

I'm also a romantic and a minimalist with European sensibilities. I love the idea of walking to the market every day for the food I need. While I'm not crossing that particular chore off the list on my walks, the other errands feel like a fill in. 

 

I stumbled on this interview with Sting and Jimmy Fallon. It combines two of my favorite things: Sting and walking! Sting talks about the privilege of having the opportunity to walk to work. I could absolutely relate. If only I could walk to work!