What Walking Every Day Taught Me About Decision Fatigue

Walking with the dogs every day, before emails, before breakfast, before the world gets loud. It started as a health thing, but it became a ritual. A sanity-saver. A compass reset.

And here’s what I noticed: on days I walk, I make better decisions.

I don’t mean life-altering, move-across-the-country decisions. I mean the small ones. What to eat. What to work on first. Whether to respond to that annoying email now or never. The stuff that usually drains me by noon suddenly feels… easier.

It turns out, walking clears more than just your head. It reorders the mental clutter.

Out there, one foot in front of the other, I don’t have to choose what to do. I just do it. Move forward. Breathe. Notice the light hitting the leaves. Pick up the pace when the dog pulls. Pause when I hear a woodpecker.

It’s all instinct and rhythm. No overthinking. No spiral.

That little rhythm carries back with me.

Decision fatigue is real. Especially for those of us juggling too many roles—creator, parent, partner, business owner, human. We’re bombarded with choices, and by 3 PM we’re spent.

But if you start the day with one solid, grounding decision—go for a walk—you anchor yourself. You remind your body and brain that you can move through things, not just think about them.

German by birth, living, hiking, and camping in the US. Addicted to Coffee. Enjoys going to concerts. Also, Artist + Author. I love to encourage you to explore beyond your backyard. 

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