For 34-year-old Katie Hunt, a four-mile solo walk in the woods taught her she can conquer her anxiety, and that the #walk1000miles community is here to help her.
“I’m unsure how my anxiety started; a combination of difficult times throughout my life, and being a survivor of domestic violence – it’s taken me 15 years to publicly share that. Anxiety for me is like a constant cycle and usually starts off with a simple thought, then escalates to more thoughts until I lose the ability to complete or carry out what I wanted to do. It affects every aspect of my life, from work and meeting people to visiting places by myself.
‘But a combination of planning, using my senses and #walk1000miles has encouraged me to not give up. I started off with tiny steps: I live in a flat, and would go downstairs and sit outside my door. I used my senses and was amazed by all the little things I didn’t always notice – the birds singing, the colours, the smell of the flowers. Then I started taking a moment in a nice spot when out with my family. I taught myself that I needed to focus on one step at a time instead of over-thinking everything.
‘I found a solo walk gave me this overwhelming sense of happiness and achievement. I had the odd worry here and there, but focusing on my senses as much as possible helps overcome it. I feel happy, free, and my mind at peace – lucky to be part of this earth.
‘The #walk1000miles Facebook group is amazing – there are so many supportive posts, and it’s helped me realise I’m not alone and that it’s normal to have fears. I feel so lucky to be part of such a wonderful group – it’s helped massively decrease my anxious thoughts.”
More small steps
‘I braved an incline’
‘I bagged my first Wainwright – Latrigg – a couple of weeks ago. Since breaking my leg in 2015 I’ve been terrified of inclines. I can’t even step on an escalator. After Latrigg I tried Skiddaw and was amazed I got halfway up, as it’s so steep. I’ve been walking since the start of the first lockdown and have lost 7st 5lb in the process. I’d never have tried climbing if it wasn’t for the fitness I’ve achieved by walking.’ – Sarah Peplow
‘Strangers to friends’
‘I suffer with anxiety and autism, and recently attended a group meetup in Derbyshire. I'd never met any of these people before, they were strangers to me, and I was totally out of my comfort zone. Yet I had a fantastic time and I left with six new friends.’ –Tasha Leigh-Willetts
‘I walked alone’
‘I started walking on my own when my retired hubby went back to work during lockdown. It was a huge adjustment for me as I suffer with anxiety. Some days I was petrified to go out for a walk at all, never mind on my own, leaving my safe haven behind. But I decided for my own wellbeing and health, I just had to do it. So I chose a path we’d both walked and knew – and proceeded to get lost! But with my hubby’s phone guidance I managed to get back to where I should have been, and returned home feeling elated. I do it a lot now!’ – Sue Bryan
‘Cowed no more’
‘I managed to walk across a field of cows, even though I’m terrified of them. I shielded myself alongside my husband with my head down, and I didn’t look in case they were coming towards me. My heart was pumping, my mouth was dry, but I did it!’ – Jill Marie Allen
’My first summit’
‘At the age of 59 I climbed my first mountain thanks to the support from the #walk1000miles group. I climbed Holyhead Mountain on Anglesey. I loved the walk up and was so excited to reach the trig point. It was so windy – I regretted not having my #walk1000miles hat with me!’ – Sandra Carter
