I'm on an island
2 months of walking, 500+km across 4 islands
Friends, family, and fellow human beings of like spirit,
I’m 100% confident and excited about my upcoming walking
I’m 0% confident about (publishing) this and future writing
I will tell you my plans for the coming months
I have some intentions
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I have a plan for the coming two months. I will be Walking & Writing on four different European islands in the Mediterranean Sea & North Atlantic Ocean: Mallorca, Menorca, Madeira, and the Azores. I have planned 500+ kilometres of walking. I know for each day where I will go, where I will sleep, and where (and sometimes even what) I will eat. I have a 0,01 idea of when and what I will write about.
Let’s start with the good stuff: the walking. Two days ago, I looked out of the airplane window over the island I had visited so many times over the years and could see a bird's-eye view of Mallorca’s Serra de Tramontana mountain range where I will be walking. I could see the route below me, I plotted it out in my mind —everything I’d be facing over the coming 8 days within one sight. I’m so prepared and confident about the walking part and am craving the mental bliss I get from walking after a few days moving at the speed of my brain.
But the writing fills me with some insecurity and anxiety. I’m not prepared and pretty scared. I’m afraid that my writing won’t be good; too obvious, dull, or embarrassing, that I’ll make a fool of myself. I feel shame about sharing ideas in public. Actually, sharing anything publicly makes me cringe. I know myself (or do I?); usually, avoidance is my go-to way out of this feeling of insecurity. I’m very good at coming up with reasons why I shouldn’t take action and continue listening, reading, and watching instead of writing. I consume rather than produce — maybe you know the feeling.
This time, i’m going to confront it head-on —by writing and sharing here. I will try to, but it won’t be fancy, pretentious, or profound. It will be about my walks, practicalities, thoughts, and some pretty pictures. At least my mom will enjoy it— she wants to know where I’ve been and what I’ve done. You might, too.
Here's a fancy quote from Sasha Chapin, who writes wonderfully about getting comfortable being uncomfortable:
“Freedom is earned by confronting things that embarrass and trigger you, over and over again, until you are cringe-proof in your desired environment.” — Sasha Chapin
(He’s annoyingly good)
Why this?
If I think of what would be the best thing to do with my time right now, it would be precisely this. A season of Walking, exploring, Writing, eating, reading, sleeping, walking, exploring, Writing, reading, eating, sleeping, repeat — seeing that on paper already feels jolly good.
I love walking, especially at my natural pace; it gets me in a magical rhythm —a rhythm that doesn’t come from a road trip in a car or even a bike trip, nope.
This magical rhythm perfectly syncs my mood, inner speech, and thoughts into perfect sync, which allows for space, attention, and relaxation. In this state, ideas and insight loosen up in my naturally cluttered, distracted mind and float to the surface. It’s a defragmentation (remember on Windows98?).
There’s research about the profound physical and mental benefits of walking, but I’m not sure if everyone feels it this intensely as I do. It’s pretty magical and, to me, feels like a superpower.
“Walking is the great adventure, the first meditation, a practice of heartiness and soul primary to humankind. Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humility. ” — Gary Snyder
Hell yeah.
Experiments to improve life
Big words, and it is! Some people know exactly what they want their life to look like and seem to be moving in that direction determinedly. Not my life.
My life is improved by doing stuff, trying new things, and figuring out whether they work and are a net positive. If they are, I do more of it.
Below is a fuzzy and quickly written list of some of my concrete experiments, iterations, and increments that I intend to experiment with in this upcoming season, while walking and writing, and figure out if and how to unfold them into the actuality of my life. I’ll probably be writing more about them later.
Spending the “outside season” outside, in nature. Camping on empty beaches, under the stars , walking by the sea and through the mountains, and sitting on the ground instead of on a chair.
Simplicity of mind — by simplicity, I don’t mean the opposite of complexity. Complexity is a fact of the world, simplicity is subjectivity. Thoughts, ideas, and feelings need simplicity and space. Walking and simplicity allow for space to be. By simplicity I mean having a clear daily focus on what I want to achieve in the day - walking and writing.
Learn about my attention, be more attentive:
to myself, my thoughts, feelings, emotions, and ideas.
to others.
to the environment.
Not being dictated by my phone and other screens.
Keep. Screentime. Limited.
Being intentional with podcasts, music, and other distractions.
Talk to more strangers - there are no strangers :)
Keep moving.
Produce more, consume less (shitty stuff);
Write.
Take many photos of people and their natural habitat - if I dare.
My default consumption should be reading, not scrolling.
If you resonate with any of this, subscribe and reach out; we would probably like to talk to each other.
My plan
Soooo over with all the fuzzy talk; let’s finally get to it.
I’ll be in Mallorca, Menorca, Madeira, and then the Azores in April and June. Far from home but also close to home. If I need to be back (for possible work-related developments), I can return in no time.
I’ll walk about 500 kilometres, which I think is a lot. But I will also take the time to relax my sore legs, gather my thoughts, and explore.
I’m starting in Mallorca, where I’ve been many times - for the first time when I was three months old, and then at least every year for 32 years.
After Mallorca I’ll go to three other islands. I feel an attraction to islands. Islands are (somewhat) isolated and individualistic, clearly defined by their borders and (relative) isolation. Still, because of their closeness to the sea, they are always completely aware that there is something vastly larger around them. Sounds like me?
An island’s containment gives me clarity, a sense of order, and control. But it also makes me feel vulnerable and aware of the vast possibilities of my surroundings without being overwhelming.
I love myself a lovely island.
Follow along
Join me on this adventure—I'll share regular stories, photos, and insights along the way. It’d be great to keep you updated and following along. The intention is to post here on Substack frequently. I’m thinking of posting every 2-3 days during a walk, quick updates on practicalities - where I have been, how much I’ve walked, etc- and reflections on the experience. Additionally, I’ll post more extended reflections in between my walks related to those earlier intentions.
I’ll include pictures and possibly videos, mainly for Mom - she’s blessed not to have Instagram or other social media.
— 💚 Felipe
Not all those who wander are lost 🧙🏼♂️