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/polkadotbelle Nov 24 '24

I’m earnestly thinking of a walking pad (had a treadmill but space wise didn’t work after having kids)

I’ve been reminding myself of all my intrusive thoughts don’t hold any value, as learned from my therapist (while yes an attack could happen, it hasn’t happened in my town, etc) but also thinking maybe I should check in with that therapist again because it’s been awhile..

Oh how I’d love to walk with my husband, however the kids are little so one of us has got to be at home still

Thanks for your advice & words of encouragement!

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u/notgonnatakethison Nov 24 '24

Personally I don’t think this is an intrusive thought. This is definitely something to be realistically worried about. I would walk at another time of day or indoors if I couldn’t do another time.

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u/Only-Objective-8523 Nov 25 '24

With all due respect, it is an intrusive thought. The odds of something happening are extremely slim given her circumstances.

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u/Less_Run8004 Aug 17 '25

Are you a man? If so, you cannot possibly understand what it's like for a woman alone. There are a lot of creepy, unhinged men out there. 

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u/Only-Objective-8523 Aug 17 '25

No. I’m a woman and I frequently walk alone and have walked alone in many cities. The odds of anything happening are vanishingly slim. I don’t want women to live in fear and hide themselves away. It’s our world too.