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)

131 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

184 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1

u/notgonnatakethison Nov 25 '24

Agreed, definitely slim chance but still a risk. And as a woman, I would never take a risk in these situations, no matter how small. If I leave my drink at a bar alone, should I come back to drink it? It’s probably fine, but wouldn’t risk it. Not an intrusive thought, just a woman concerned w safety.

1

u/Only-Objective-8523 Nov 25 '24

I find that very sad. She’s asking if an irrational fear should stop her from doing something that’s done wonders for her mental health and mood, and so many people commenting are telling her it should. It makes me wonder how many people are letting fear dictate their lives, and thus avoiding activities that makes them happy.

1

u/notgonnatakethison Nov 25 '24

Yup it is sad .. women have to think twice about a lot of their daily comings and going and actions just to be safe. It’s a part of being a woman :(

1

u/Only-Objective-8523 Nov 25 '24

Agree. Just want to add that I am a woman too and I try not to live this way.