Why We Walk: The Timeless Joy of Moving Together
From ancient pilgrimages to protest marches to walks with friends, walking together has always connected people to each other and to the world around them.
Walking as a Shared Ritual
Across cultures and history, walking has never just been about reaching a destination. It has been a collective experience, often spiritual, social, or symbolic. In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia, people walked in processions; not to hurry, but to mark meaning (Laboratory of Landscapes, Heritage & Territory). City layouts were designed to encourage movement on foot, creating space for interaction, reflection, and connection.
Walking is woven into daily life, as Jennifer Stitt puts it, “a way of connecting to land, to others, and to something larger than the self.”
That remains true today.
Walking Builds Belonging
Walking with others is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce loneliness and improve well-being. It boosts mood, eases stress, and creates space for creativity and unhurried connection.
It doesn’t need to be a big hike. It can be twenty minutes through a park, around the neighborhood, or to nowhere in particular. The important thing is the movement and the company.
Further Reading
A Short History of Walking
Jennifer Stitt reflects on the significance of walking throughout history and its presence in the teachings of historic figures, Henry Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi.
Five Philosophers on the Joys of Walking
Emily Thomas, associate professor in Philosophy at Durham University, provides insight into the perspectives of several renowned philosophers on walking and the inner self—thoughts which might inspire the focus of your next walk.
Our Invitation
We'd like to invite you to reach out to a friend or find a local group. Start where you are.
Sources
Blue Cross NC ( 2022)
Garrison Institute (2017)