The Power Of Walking

(Create Walking Types)

Walking has become a very popular topic these days. Everyone talks about it, and for good reason. Walking is genuinely good for your mind and body. But what if you could get even more from your walks?

Many people walk just because it's trending, because everyone does it. They go for a walk expecting to have a stroke of genius out of nowhere, and then nothing happens. This is because they have no idea what they are doing.

I know this because I've been there too. I spent months convinced that just stepping outside would solve all my problems like magic. But after many walks, I realized that it's not how it worked.

The problem wasn't the walking itself. The problem was that I used to do it with no intention, no purpose. There were factors I wasn't considering. The time of the day, the route, the reason for walking in the first place.

Then I started to pay attention, and I realized that not all walks are the same.

A walk in the morning is different from a walk at night. A street full of people is not the same as a quiet park. And listening to a podcast isn’t the same as walking in silence.

All these thoughts were running through my mind.

So Instead of going randomly, I started to design my walks. But before diving into this, I needed to know more about this topic—and what I found was surprising.

The Habit of Great Minds

All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking. – Friedrich Nietzsche

Walking is one of the most ancient and natural instincts. Since the beginning of time, it’s been essential for survival, just think about hunting, migration or exploration—all crucial factors for human evolution.

But the particular thing is that most of the greatest minds in history—philosophers, scientists, artists, and visionaries—had this habit in common regardless of belief, time, place.

Look at how many examples we have:

Philosophers: Aristotle, Friedrich Nietzsche, Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Søren Kierkegaard.

Scientists & Inventors: Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, Isaac Newton.

Writers & Poets: Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens, Henry David Thoreau, Ernest Hemingway, William Wordsworth.

Artists & Musicians: Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh.

Entrepreneurs & Leaders: Steve Jobs, Winston Churchill, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin.

The list is endless.

But why? Did they know something we don’t, or did they just follow their instincts?

Today, modern research shows us an interesting fact.

A study in 2009 by prof. Chuck Hillman, found that after 20 minutes of sedentary state, the brain activity start to slow down, while walking re-activates it again.

This might explain why so many remarkable minds relied on it. Whether these thinkers were conscious of this or not, they understood that walking had something special—and they took advantage of it.

They walked to think, reflect, connect the dots, and create.

These people had different ways of thinking, lived in different places, and had their own personalities. Each of them must have had their own way of walking, or as I call it a walking type.

So why not create our own types too?

How to Create Your Walking Types

Every person has a unique lifestyle, interests, and goals. Creating your walking types is the art of combining all these things together.

Walking types are not something fixed and linear. You can change them over time, mix them with each other, or modify them according to the season. There is no right or wrong, as long as your walks have a purpose.

Keep in mind 3 things: Purpose, Time, and Route.

Route: Where Do You Walk?

Last but not least:

Where are you going?

You know this better than anyone else. My advice is to try different paths and explore. Study your area and find routes such as:

• Big parks near home

• City trails in your neighborhood

• Special places like woods or beaches

You might discover locations you didn’t even know existed. Live it like an adventure—you won’t regret it.

My Personal Types

After a period of experimentation, I found what works best for me.

I currently have 3 walking types that I do on a daily basis:

1) Creative Walk

The goal here is generating ideas.

I do this 3-4 times a week, usually late morning or afternoon when my mind feels sharp. I always bring headphones to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or YouTube videos.

I consume content that triggers ideas and I take notes on my phone when something sparks my interest.

2) Silent Walk

The Silent Walk is for clearing the mind.

No distractions. No inputs. Just me and my surroundings. I prefer nature or quiet streets, away from chaos.

Some of my deepest realizations come during these walks. Without forcing anything, ideas appear effortlessly from my subconscious.

3) Music Walk

Sometimes, I just want a break. This walk is my reset button.

As a musician and songwriter, listening to music is essential—both for relax and for inspiration. I keep playlists updated, covering various genres according to my mood of the day.

By the way, if you like pop music and want to listen to something new, check out my latest EP, Collide Zone. You might find something you like.

Try It Yourself

Give yourself permission to experiment. It may take some time, but it’s worth it. Make walking more than just movement. Turn it into a personal system, a creative practice, a moment of clarity.

When you give your walks meaning, they become powerful resources you can rely on whenever you need inspiration, peace, or a fresh perspective.

You might discover that a simple habit can bring deep improvements.

Thanks for reading.

See you in the next letter.

Your Italian friend – Alessandro

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