I’ve been doing a lot of walking recently, which has been wonderful for, and a stretch on, my wellbeing all at the same time. Let me explain.

Two years ago I took part in the London Moonwalk – for those not in the know this is a 26 mile walk around the streets of London through the night. Oh and you are dressed in decorated bras, because it is a fundraiser for a breast cancer charity. A brilliant night, but the challenge of walking a marathon overnight when you have been up and about all day already is not to be underestimated. However I took part with two friends, and the experience of hours of training together was amazing and brought us much closer together.

Fast forward to this January and I was debating signing up again. But the date wasn’t quite right, I was hoping to be moving house and worried about fitting in the training, was concerned about asking friends and family to put their hands in their pocket again for another fundraiser, so I shelved it. But the enjoyment of walking never left me and I found another challenge that would be a perfect solution – a steps challenge. Great I thought, this is really flexible, I clock up plenty of steps anyway in my daily life, this just means I have to dial it up it a little and supplement with rambles at the weekend, what’s not good about that? So that was it – I challenged myself to walking a million steps from 1st May to 30th June. Again this was in aid of a breast cancer charity, as by now my sister had been diagnosed with the disease for the second time.

Of course the realities of life always seek to unsettle us, and by the time the challenge came around I really was close to moving, work had become hugely busy especially given the build up to this Wellbeing Week, and sadly not only was my sister receiving treatment for cancer, but my dad had also been diagnosed with cancer so lots of family visits ensued. All of this ate into my time, suddenly the steps were backing up, and my evenings were being filled with quick trips around the park while dinner was in the oven.

A couple of people have suggested I put the challenge (which is still ongoing as I write) on hold, give myself a break and allow it to roll over until the end of July. If I were those people I would be advising me exactly the same, saying “you really don’t have to do it all you know”. But that was not even a consideration for me. For a start a challenge isn’t meant to be easy! Secondly, although it was hard to find the time, the moments while I am out walking are a wonderful opportunity to think and process; or not think and just wallow in outside space.

I have found a joy in not planning where I go – spotting footpaths and wandering without a goal in mind. There are days when the sea calls me, others where I need to bathe in the shade of the woods.

But key has been not to focus on a million steps, that’s too huge. Just put a foot in front of the other and take one step at a time.

Juliet Flynn, Organisational and People Development

If anyone would like to sponsor me in my challenge you can find out more here