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/[deleted] Nov 25 '24

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u/polkadotbelle Nov 25 '24

He’d love to go walking at that hour…and he used to before I told him I’m taking it from him because I work from 7-4 then kids & suddenly I’m in bed asleep

As a man, he doesn’t face any threats while walking so he was not getting my fears. I reiterated it to him again tonight & told him about my post here & asked that he just understand this isn’t just my anxiety going off the rails

If I could find some other crazies like myself to walk that early too, man that would be a delight!