A few years ago I joined a women’s walking group in our local area. The idea was simple: several early mornings a week we’d walk a 5km loop around our suburb. Over time, the group has evolved and today we share a strong sense of sisterhood, supporting each other through thick and thin. After our weekend walks, we gather at my house for tea and coffee on the deck, always talking, often laughing, sometimes crying and always there for one another. While our social outings have grown, our friendship has become the foundation and the walks remain our anchor.

Walking may not be for everyone, and life circumstances can certainly affect routines and opportunities. I wouldn’t have been able to join when my children were young and whilst my husband worked more hours at the office than from home. But now, in this season of life, my connection to my walking group means the world to me. If you’re curious about how a similar group might enrich your life, read on!

Personal Reflections…

 

How did you first come to join a walking group? What motivated you to take that first step?

I first came across the walking group through a post on our local suburb Facebook page. The group organiser was inviting people to join, and at first, I wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to do. I had always enjoyed walking on my own, as it gave me time to listen to audiobooks and focus on my personal development. As a dedicated introvert, I didn’t really want to have to “talk to people” instead of doing that! However, I soon realised that I wasn’t walking or exercising as much as I’d like to have been and I believed the group would help hold me accountable. So, after thinking about it for a while, I took the leap and joined. The group was very informal – just a friendly neighbourhood gathering – and we simply walked a 5km loop around our streets.

What were your initial expectations of the group? Has the group exceeded or transformed them? How?

Initially, I thought I would have trouble fitting in, especially since I didn’t feel like I wanted to be chatty. But something blossomed inside me, and I grew to love the interactions with the other ladies. I realised that anyone who is willing to get out of a warm bed when it’s cold, or before the sun is up, or both, is a dedicated person – a go-getter and mover-and-shaker. It made me see that all sorts of personal growth and broader learning about others was possible!

Can you describe a specific moment when the group’s connection deeply impacted you?

One of the younger ladies in our group, 20 years my junior and with toddler boys (my boys are now taller than I am!), asked me, “What would you say to your younger self?” Since I’ve had a strong interest in learning about self-growth and personal development for quite a while, now, that question stirred in me a desire to share something meaningful. I felt compelled to share something not just about what the question meant to me for me, but about the life wisdom I could pass on to my beautiful young friend.

It was about the beginnings of connection between women of different generations, of different experiences, of different cultures and vocations. It was the beginning of probably most of my strongest friendships (not all!) because it became more about what I was giving, not just receiving. My role in my group helped me mature and become the maven I could be.

Group Dynamics…

How has the group evolved over time? What makes the dynamic unique or special?

The group has changed a lot over time, as groups are wont to do. The initial group went through some difficult moments, with differing expectations and contrasting personalities that made it hard to maintain harmony. Sadly, the group split in two. ‘My’ part of the group (though it’s not actually ‘my’ group!) has greatly strengthened, and we’ve grown closer, forming more powerful friendships and connections.

The new dynamic is incredibly special. While we still love walking together, we’ve increasingly been spending time together in other ways. We celebrate each other’s birthdays, go on movie outings, regularly share lunch or dinner and sometimes there are even shopping trips to special foodie markets for those chefs among us. Our staple, though, is having a cuppa together right after our hour-long walk on Saturdays and Sundays on my back deck, overlooking the bush. For the record, I drink tea, while most of the group drinks coffee!

What qualities about the group stand out—kindness, support, laughter, or something else? 

The standout qualities shared by all group members include a largely optimistic outlook on life. No one comes for a walk to moan, groan, complain, or put others down. That doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to share our challenges—we most certainly are, and we definitely do!

We come from different walks of life, with a variety of vocational backgrounds, ages, marital statuses, and experiences. Some of us have children, some don’t. Some have dogs to walk, some don’t (but end up walking someone else’s dog quite often!). There is enormous support for one another within the group. If someone is going through a ‘tough time’ of life, there’s always someone to check in on them. We share dishes of food, and exchange excess produce when we find a great deal at the supermarket or have a bumper crop in our vegetable gardens (for the green thumbs among us—which I’m not!). There’s also incredible laughter and much hilarity (much to the chagrin of the neighbourhood, I’m sure, as we walk our circuit at 5:30 a.m. and never remember to keep our voices down).

How does the group handle life’s ups and downs together?

Such is life that, thankfully, we’re not all down at the same time. When someone is facing a challenge, others always have the time and energy to offer support, care, love, and compassion. And when we experience successes and wins, there’s always someone there to share them with!

Connection & Sisterhood…

 

What role does the group play in your emotional well-being or mental health?

I cannot fully comprehend the enormous role my walking group now plays in my life. It has become central to my emotional well-being and mental health—and I know I’m not the only one to feel this way. I’ve become a very different person in some ways because of my involvement in the group.

For example, I used to be house-proud (perhaps to an unhealthy degree) and would have been mortified at the thought of anyone dropping by or stopping for a cuppa unless I had spent the entire week getting everything in its place. Now, we have developed a regular habit of post-walk coffees on my deck. It’s become completely normal that, after a busy week with my entrepreneurial hat on and being fully immersed in my projects, my house is—well, let’s just say, not in perfect order. I will do a quick sweep and a cursory tidy before the Saturday walk, but largely, it’s ‘take me as you find me.’

I’m just so happy that my ‘walkies’ want to come, sit on my deck, sip teas and coffees, and ‘put the world to rights.’ Sometimes, I have to pinch myself that we have such a good time—so comfortably, so naturally, and with so much support—without any judgment!

How does the act of walking enhance the sense of connection and belonging?

When you walk together for hours at a time (though we really only walk for about an hour on our regular weekday walk), there’s plenty of time to talk about all sorts of topics. Sometimes we end up walking in a group, but at other times, we walk in twos or threes, each discussing different subjects—because, of course, we have some shared interests but also differing ones, with unique strengths and perspectives. These groups naturally rotate, usually when a car passes and we have to quickly move off the road onto the grass verge! When we’ve then regrouped this gives us the chance to connect with different people in the group and explore a variety of topics, allowing us to get to know each other more deeply and share our views on life, love, and the universe.

How have the shared rituals (such as tea on your deck) deepened the bond among members?

When you spend a lot of time with people and get to know each other well, it creates a ‘safe space’ where you can ask for ideas, information, opinions, advice and help when life goes pear-shaped. We understand how to approach each other, and we respect what matters to one another. There are always a variety of personality types in any group, and ours is no different. However, we seem to be a naturally self-filtering group, open-minded enough to accept when someone is different from us and not let it become an issue. An observation I have is that we each have a quality of emotional intelligence developed at least a little further than many people do, as anything less would not likely settle well in the group with any longevity.

Broader Impact on Life…

 

Has being part of this group inspired changes in other areas of your life (e.g., perspective, health, relationships)?

Shared time means shared skills, knowledge, expertise and resources. My doggo gets to go on playdates with another group member when I’ve been too busy to walk her. One of our members is a pharmacist, and she can bring us our prescriptions with personalised service. Others have green thumbs and share plants and gardening tips, while another has the most beautiful covered back deck overlooking the river where we have our ‘pot luck’ dinners. I share my milk, sugar, and coffee! We also get to hear about each other’s successes and challenges in parenting and relationships, and sometimes, just sometimes, that makes what could be a difficult or unbearable situation or emotion feel more normal and easier to deal with.

Observing and absorbing these varied perspectives and approaches promotes self awareness which is a very healthy thing to have in life and relationships. And everyone knows that walking is excellent for physical and mental health!

What would your life feel like without this walking group?

I would feel very ‘empty’ without my group now that I have it. Once I experienced this connection, I would never wish to be without it! For some, this kind of ‘family’ is ready-made and possibly taken for granted, but not everyone is raised with family and community that is so close and connected. For those of us who haven’t had that in our upbringing – generally not through any fault of our own, learning that this is possible and desirable has been truly transformational!

I might add that my family life – my 33-year marriage, my three grown and growing sons, my super-awesome mother, and my comfortable and loving home – is very fulfilling and lacks little (though some extra help dusting or putting clothes in the laundry hamper wouldn’t go astray). But we all need several aspects to our lives. The more supported and fulfilled we are in different areas (think: Career/Work, Finances, Health, Family & Relationships, Personal Growth/Spirituality, Social Life & Community, Fun & Recreation and Environment), the better-rounded a person we become. The better we can show up as a mother, wife, daughter, and so on. My involvement in my walking group makes me a better person for all those in my life – rather than just being an indulgence for my own sake.

How do you think walking groups like this can benefit others seeking connection?

Part of the reason I’ve wanted to share inspiration for people to find connection with others in different ways (because we’re not all going to be interested in the same things) is so that others may benefit as I have. We don’t know what we don’t know! Knowledge is powerful, but only when we put it into action. So, I’ve made it my mission to help others feel good about themselves through self-awareness, personal development, connection—and copious cups of tea (and sometimes cake).

Encouragement to Others…

 

What advice would you give someone looking to start or join a similar group?

Don’t hesitate. Jump in with both feet! Understand that people come in all shapes, sizes, and with different personalities, and not all interactions will be smooth sailing. However, group dynamics will bubble along and naturally evolve, and as long as we are ‘adult’ about our interactions, we can find a way to connect. This allows a group of like-minded individuals to gather and enjoy the benefits—even if it means the group evolves and changes over time, with different members coming and going.

Are there any unexpected joys or lessons you’ve gained from this experience that you’d want to share?

Unexpected joys—for me—are that my friends are so eager to have coffee on my deck after a walk that they’d be disappointed if I said it wasn’t happening on any particular morning! They actually want to hang out at my place, which is so heartwarming for me. It really boosts my self-esteem, especially on those days when I have a little doubt that they truly want to be there and aren’t just being polite. As for lessons learned, there have been many, but the key one is this: If I waited until my house was perfect before welcoming people in, I’d miss out on hours of connection, laughter, sharing, knowledge, wisdom, and friendship. And we all know we don’t get time back—it’s a non-renewable commodity!

How does this walking group illustrate the power of human connection in today’s busy world?

In our article 5 Must-Read Books on Walking, we explore how each author emphasizes the many benefits of walking and the importance of making a conscious effort to participate. They highlight that, in today’s world, modern life often pushes us toward automation, digitization, isolation, and stagnation—especially as we spend more time sitting. This trend isn’t all positive, as it disconnects us from one another and from the physical world around us. Walking groups like ours are a counter to that, illustrating the power of human connection in a world that often leaves us disconnected.

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