I hate walking on my own

I am 81 and don't have a problem walking about by myself either round the shopping centre or in the local park, there is always something interesting to look at. I have been out every day since the pandemic started but obviously take precautions.
I would not be happy staying indoors every day

Another vote for lone walking. I go out every day for around an hour. Loads of people walk on their own. Can’t see the problem . In the nicest way ‘get over yourself’ !

It has never occurred to me that people might think me strange to be walking on my own. I often go out alone, and I am quite happy to walk through the lanes and fields by myself, though my daughter tries to dissuade me.
I prefer to have company, but don’t often have anyone to walk with. Lots of people use our local Country Park, so I sometimes drive to it and often find someone to chat with. Admiring their dogs or children usually means a bit of chit-chat evolves.
I hope that you can find a way to enjoy your walks, Cabbie, and especially hope that you can get someone to walk with. Please don’t feel self-conscience about being a lone walker, though. There are plenty of us about.

I’ve walked alone every day since the start of lockdown. Luckily I can go out of my house and have woods and moors to explore. At least 3 hours every day whilst I’ve been in the UK and around the same in the Canaries but done before it gets too hot. I wear a Fitbit and won’t come home till I’ve completed at least 15000 steps. I do have a walking partner in the UK and love sharing walks with her as she is more adventurous with the routes than I am.

My only purpose for walking is keeping fit. Y'know the 'use it or lose it syndrome'. However, in appropriate weather, I do a riverside circuit and every day is different and mostly highly enjoyable. I do have a getting over the threshold problem but I recognise it and have a serious word with myself. In winter my circuit changes to pavement work and a trip between two supermarkets to pick up sundries. Both routes take about an hour and work perfectly for me so far. I feel SO good when I get in from these sojourns. Virtue is its own reward indeed!

I know exactly how you feel, Cabbie. I have one friend in particular who will walk for 4 hours or more, it knowing where she is goi g or where she will end up, and is often saying ‘I found a lovely new walk yesterday, but can’t remember how to get there again’. I like to have a beginning, a middle and an end’.

I used to enjoy walking my dog, but so many dog owners are not responsible and let their dogs run up and pounce on my little pooch. She is now very wary of other dogs and has had her front leg damaged by larger dogs jumping on her and frightening her. I now dread taking her out alone as I’ve had so many confrontations with other dog owners. My DH comes with me sometimes and takes her on his own. Just saying dog walking is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Somebody advertised and found, a walking companion on our local “Next Door” site. She had several replies.

Phloem perhaps you should join the lady walking on her own! A friend used to drive to the nearest NT house and walk there she said she felt safer doing that. Our U3A does have a group that stroll, no more than 2 miles was very popular.

EllanVannin

Don't remind me !
A neighbour and I had promised ourselves that rain/hail or snow we would do a daily walk around the block with her dog. I was quite excited at the prospect of keeping on the move and had geared myself up with this ongoing exercise.
Then the unthinkable happened----her dog died. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Sorry about the dog obviously but if that wasn't Sod's Law I don't know what was.

She wouldn't walk without her dog and I won't walk around the block on my own, people would think I'd gone crackers altogether seeing me go past their windows in all weathers.

Gosh! I didn’t realise people would think I’d gone crackers just because they see me walking past their house!
I love walking alone and wear AirPods to listen to the radio or podcasts ( they aren’t noise cancelling so quite safe).
It’s lovely to see the gardens as the seasons change. I’ve also downloaded an app which records my walks, sets me challenges and sends alerts to my safety contacts so they can track me.
Go for it! ??‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️

I am with so many of you here.
I have always had a dog or dogs, now as much as I miss a dog, I fear I am too old to take one on, to give it the attention any dog deserves, so since Lockup I have been walking on my own, well before also..

I feel conspicuous, so count the other people also on their own, I feel there is something wrong with me, being alone.
silly I know.

I am fortunate in that there is a small, well treed, ie. planted area nearby, I don`t want to pound the pavements.

sometimes people with say Hello, I find first thing in the morning people seem more inclined to speak, so I do NOT at all fancy a walk with crowds,, even with someone else, cos different speed and different lengths of ability..

so guess we just have to persevere and it will become the norm?

I too am nervous about walking alone in woods and country lanes but I make myself do it in the morning. I do 5000 steps twice a day, I find breaking it up easier. Morning along the country lanes and evening around the estate. Both take me an hour and I mostly manage to enjoy it although my back gives me severe pain at times. Doctors advise is has to be done to stay subtle or you will cease up. argh.
We have a lovely walking for Health group too and a private walking group I walked with for years, both however walk too fast for me now, without any stops, I can't keep up and often need to sit down several times. I sit on anything just for 5 minutes break. Make it part of your day and try to make it enjoyable. I allow myself some liquorice whilst walking which I love, so I look forward to my treats. Good luck

Have a look on your local Council's website. Most run walking groups, although they're restricted right now. I'm a volunteer walk leader for both our Council & the Dr's surgery. I've just started doing small group walks, with five other walkers. The Ramblers are also starting up. It's a great thing to be doing, at anytime. It's been a life saver for me.......

Crack on with it is my suggestion. I dont like walking alone either but dragged myself out when lockdown began. I've since acquired several companions who may or may not want to walk too. We meet and greet others on our way and while we don't want any formal organisation, we are happy to share the experience some of the time. I'm now happy to walk in my own if there is no one available. Put your shoes on & set off. Companions will appear.

I feel just the same. DH walks but they are Walks with a capital W! ie. 5 miles plus at a cracking pace haha. We have a NT house and garden nearby and I feel safer there and there are things to look at in garden. Cafe is open too but I’ve not tried that yet. We are members so can go as often as I like but have to book at moment so that spontaneity has gone... Our local garden centre has a biggish garden too so that can be nice.

The company of a dog is great. When my last one died I still went for my walks, but it wasn't the same, I felt lonely. I rescued another one and now I'm out walking locally or taking her further afield in the car for a change of scenery. She lying snoozing at the minute after our long Sunday morning one. They are great company and a great reason to go out for walks.

I know exactly how you feel. When I suddenly had to retire from work due to back problems, I decided to go walking to the places sis and I go to. I felt terrible, like Billy no mates. It was so depressing. There is a smartly dressed lady who walks purposefully around our town every day. I know she isn't going anywhere and it makes me sad.

I love walking on my own. I don't need to slow down, or speed up, for others. There's no effort to make conversation or fit in with other's priorities. I can decide where to go in the moment.

I'd second the idea of walking a dog. Many people would like their pets walked. The regular commitment to walk mine, twice a day, has been very good for me - both physically and mentally!

I’m involved with our local Walking for Health group and I agree with other comments that this would be appropriate for you. The whole premise of the group is to encourage people who aren’t too active to enjoy walking so the leaders always accommodate the slowest walkers and any health conditions including starting and ending near loos. We walk for about 90 mins close to the town but other groups do less I believe. If anyone doesn’t want to do the full walk or needs to drop out one of the leaders makes sure they’re safely back to where they need to be. There are lots of single people in the group and I’ve made many new friends. Our group is on hold at present due to Covid, so there may not be a group active near you just at the moment, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

Have only just picked up on walking alone theme. I do it every morning along my canal bank. People do speak especially the regulars which is good as I live alone having lost my husband 13 years ago.

Our local chiropractor organised walking groups before Covid, not sure if they are still doing it, but that might be worth investigating?

We have neighbours in their ( mid to late 70s ). Every week they go out for a walk of about 4-6 miles. There is a little group 3-6 of them. They are all about the same standard of walking. They met at church. If you are on social media put up a ‘does anyone know of a walking group’ - and then your specifications. I often see on the local fb page people of all ages wanting a group to walk with. Some with preschool children, others with dogs just not wanting to go alone and older people too. Good luck with your search.

I love walking on my own. I walk around our local area daily and just about everyday I drive 10 minutes to our local beach ⛱ and walk just about the full length, about an hour. It's so invigorating. The more you do it the more you'll look forward to it.....

We've met so many people just by dog walking

We had a socially distanced picnic in the woods.

The dogs weren't great at socially distancing mind you

One of the regulars was alone due to hospitalisation of partner so she joined with us

We're now great friends along with numerous others

Oh Cabbie21
I feel exactly the same! I have struggled with this throughout lockdown - DH a big walker preferring hills which I hate, and having little patience with my struggling if we go out together, so he ave felt trapped. Like you I'm not 'doggie' so end up feeling like a spare part if I go and walk alone somewhere flat. My current solution is to tackle fitness with the gym and Pilates and the being outside part with gardening. Lone woman walkers do go off into the countryside here to walk, but often with a dog. No solutions I'm afraid by lots of empathy!