Walking alone

In my whole career I have travelled a lot, mostly on business trips, and mostly alone. Wherever I go, I walk: in parks, along beaches, in the mountains. I like to walk alone for hours.

It started in college

This did not start with my jobs. In college I did one or two solo trips, mostly to Mussoorie in Uttarakhand. Back then, a college student travelling alone was something people laughed at. But I did it.

Work took me further

When I joined HCL Technologies, I got many chances to travel for work. The same continued at Huawei, and at my current organisation.

In my Sydney days I often went to Bondi Beach and did the Bondi coastal walk, or went to Manly Beach, or walked along the Parramatta River. These long walks showed me the beauty of both nature and cities.

As work took me to more countries, the habit grew. I have taken many pictures along the way: cities, food, people, nature, heritage and architecture. Some of them are on walks.

Why alone

When I walk alone, many things come into my mind. Sometimes I think about work, family, old memories, future plans, or ideas I want to try. One thought leads to another. Sometimes I remember things I had almost forgotten.

I don’t always walk with a destination or a problem to solve. I just keep walking, observing people, places and nature around me.

I feel these walks give me time with my own thoughts, something I don’t always get during a busy day.

What it gives me

Walking alone helps me focus on my health, my stamina and my thinking. It takes my mind away from work, towards nature, people and heritage.

Sometimes I come back with an answer. Sometimes I just come back feeling better.

I think that’s why I have continued doing it since my college days.