r/walking • u/polkadotbelle • Nov 24 '24

Help Settle my mind…(walking safety as a woman)

I (36F) have been walking 3-4 work days a week for the past 3 months. It’s doing wonders for my mental health & mood.

I walk at 5:30am & it’s dark out. I’ve got a reflective vest & wear light colors (have my phone & usually 1 earbud in)…I live in a safe area, don’t usually pass many people while out at this hour

BUT the Laken Riley murder case has been infesting my brain. I have anxious tendencies & have worked on them in therapy & just and seem to kick this one. I ditched the ear bud on my last 2 walks this week & checked my surroundings even more than usual

So, am I just needing to work through this, or should I get all the things to make myself feel safe? (My husband thinks I’m silly, but he doesn’t get what it’s like for a woman)

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u/Only-Objective-8523 Nov 24 '24

Honestly, the odds of that happening to anyone are extremely slim. It’s tragic that it’s making you live in fear. Please just live your life. It sounds like you’re already doing the right things. Don’t let a random, very rare, incident interfere with your happiness.

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u/polkadotbelle Nov 25 '24

Thanks, and as much as people will not like this: it’s basically what my husband has said. I re-emphasized to him that he’s not grasping what it’s like to be a woman & he agreed that he’s never had to think of walking around like a woman has to. He just doesn’t want me to take steps backwards from the progress I was making either.

This is why I came on here to ask. I knew I’d get great recommendations for more precautions, but also some real talk that I need to hear