I can imagine people having fun getting lost in the flow of playing a competitive sport. I’ve also heard some people experience a post-workout high. But does anyone actually feel pleasure in the moment while lifting weights, jogging, cycling, etc?
If so… what does it feel like? Is there anything the rest of us can do to cultivate such a mindset?
I’m walking every street in my (very large) suburb (think Southern California) and picking up litter while doing so. I track my progress with an app and map it to a website (citystrides.com) that fills in each neighborhood as I go.
It started as something to do during Covid–although I took a year off in there, somewhere. I listen to podcasts while I go. So I’m out of the house (I’m retired now–that helps), get some “fresh” air (🤷♂️ )–all while listening to and from and about interesting people. As a bonus, the space I’ve passed thru that day is a little “better” for me having been there.
I apparently have a dose of “completeism”–a compulsion to ‘complete’ something thoroughly. There’s something psychologically very satisfying about watching that map get filled in.
https://i.imgur.com/GoNzZgP.png
That’s very thorough. You should also take photos along your walks, you’re definitely stumbling upon interesting things and people.
The de-littering aspect takes up a surprising amount of mental cpu cycles. You’re constantly scanning the environment for detritus. I DO photograph interesting or quirky things as I encounter them–when I notice the–but that doesn’t seem to be the primary focus of each walk. Plus, the Valley isn’t known for it’s stunning architecture. 😜
(The wealthier parts of the Valley–in the hills south of Ventura Blvd, for example–there are a lot of really interesting (and gaudy and ridiculous-looking) homes. There is also a LOT less trash, so it can be a more aesthetic experience. I like doing those neighborhoods early on Sunday mornings when everything is quiet and there is almost no traffic.)
I’ve encountered a gentlemen online that is walking different areas of the greater L.A. area and taking many interesting photos–but it’s hard to de-trash AND photograph and get thru the planned route in a timely manner.
Yeah, I totally understand! It just really resonates with the idea of street photography, which is a lot of walking, a lot of looking, and a lot of appreciation of the little things, the little moments or visual accents that happen in daily life. You’re welcome to join in !streetphotography@lemmy.world to check out what I’m talking about.
What software do you use to track your walks and map them out so thoroughly?