Stillness

This morning, I did something I rarely do: I walked without anything in my ears. No podcast. No music. No audiobook. No phone call. Just… me and the morning.
Okay, to be honest, it wasn’t exactly intentional. I forgot my AirPods!
But maybe the universe knew something I didn’t.
Lately, my world has felt really loud. Overwhelming. So much coming at me from every direction—emotionally, mentally, even physically. Constant noise. Constant motion. I’ve been carrying it all, and this morning? I was tired. I am tired.
I stepped outside into a cool, damp, grey spring morning—a sky that perfectly matched my mood. Grey.
And in that unexpected quiet, something shifted.
Without my usual distractions, I found myself tuning into the world around me. I heard the birds singing layered melodies overhead, the low rumble of distant cars, the rhythmic ding of train gates coming down, and then the whoosh of a passing train. Kids passed by on their way to school—some laughing, some dragging backpacks twice their size. Lucky’s collar jingled beside me in steady time with the sound of my own footsteps.
The sky, though heavy, made everything else stand out more vividly. I spotted a cardinal darting between branches(hi, dad!), squirrels in their usual chaotic hustle, even a few bunnies tucked into the morning quiet. I could smell fresh coffee from the neighborhood café and someone’s breakfast —bacon maybe? Funny how that works. When I tune out, I tune in.
And today, in the stillness, I was able to give my head, heart and soul a break. I was able to catch my breath for a bit. I was able to find a little peace.
Peace,
#tutulady
#forwardisapace

Quiet

Today I went for what Tik Tok is calling the quiet girl walk. No dog (too hot as it was the middle of the day), no headphones, no music, no friends…. just me and my thoughts. For over 3 miles it was just the voices in my head and the noises surrounding me. It was honestly an experience that I would recommend to everyone. You don’t realize how constant noise and constant input affect your mental health. Just going for a 30 minute walk by yourself is amazing and it forces you to confront all the things that you try to run or walk away from by distracting yourself with a walking partner, music, podcast or an audiobook. It was the perfect way to stretch my legs midday after working at the desk all morning.
Outside,  the world,  nature…its all my church. Because church can be anywhere that you are in touch with yourself whoever/whatever your higher power is.  Walking and running are meditation for me. My church, if you will. There were so many times I wanted to grab my phone to put my book or some music on the speaker. I wanted to call a friend just to hear someone’s voice and talk to them while holding the phone to my ear. But I resisted those urges, and by the end of the walk, I stopped even checking that I had my phone. I was at peace with it. I had a few arguments with myself and figured a few things out but what I realized is that often times I just need to hear myself think. I spend so mush time with ‘noise’, both good and bad, that I need some quiet once in a while.
It was good to go ‘quiet’ for a while. 
Everyone should try it!
Peace
#tutulady
#forwardisapace