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?

  • wilberfan@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • Asimov's Robot@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      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?

      • wilberfan@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        There are several apps that I can use–but I most often it’s the “Walk” app on a Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch – which then syncs with the CityStrides website.

        And I totally get street photography–which is really rewarding too. I call it being in “Photographer Mind”–where I literally interact with the world differently: a much more visual orientation–which can be very meditative and relaxing. I love it!

        • Asimov's Robot@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          Thanks for the information and the discussion! I’ll definitely check the website out. I used to just manually map Google’s My Maps, but it got tedious.

          • wilberfan@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            That’s how I started!! I still manually map each walk (which IS kind of a chore) on gmap-pedometer and My Maps (Google). I’m kinda afraid to stop–just incase something goes sideways with CityStrides! 😏