Reconnecting With Why: A Walk, a Hoodie and a Moment of Stillness

One of the core things I work on with clients is helping them reconnect with their why, with their thoughts and, ultimately, with themselves.

We often get caught in cycles of doing without pausing to remember why we’re doing it. So I ask: What happens when we stop, breathe and become present enough to notice?

This weekend, I went for a walk. It wasn’t anything extraordinary. No big epiphany. But it grounded me, reminded me of what matters and allowed me to feel a deep sense of ownership over my experience.

I had a new hoodie on. You know that soft, brushed cotton feel on your skin? That comforting warmth on a crisp morning? I noticed it, I verbalised the sensation and I smiled: cosy, content.

The sun was shining on my face even though the air was cool. That contrast of warmth and chill - the kind that wakes you up gently - reminded me I was alive, present, here.

My dog bounded across the field, nose to the ground, tail in the air, searching for his ball with sheer delight. Watching him brought me pure joy. I didn’t have to do anything. Just observe, just be.

I breathed in the fresh air - it energised me. The morning smelt clean, a little earthy, a little wild. My time. My space.

I tuned in. What could I hear?

Birds. Birds tweeting in the distance, calling in the morning. I chose to focus on them and suddenly, they were louder than the hum of traffic on the road nearby. I realised I could choose what I tuned in to. The birds or the drone. Calm or chaos.

I stopped and just stood for a moment. No rush. No expectation. Just being.

And then I looked at my dog. He’d stopped too. He’d dropped his ball and was staring at me. Waiting. He knew. He wanted me to re-engage, to throw the ball, to play.

So I did.

This little moment reminded me that presence doesn’t have to be complicated. Connection isn’t a goal to strive for - it’s something you can return to, even mid-walk, even in a hoodie, even while your dog waits.

 

Next time you’re out walking, or even just sitting, take a few minutes to go inward through your senses:

• What do you feel?

• What can you hear when you really listen?

• What brings you joy, even fleetingly?

Those moments matter. They’re yours. And they’re a gentle way to take back ownership of your mind, your choices, and your life. 💕