I started writing this post with a different structure in mind.
But then, like so often, the structure decided to go for a walk.
And I followed it.
That’s kind of the theme here, actually—walking.
Not just walking as exercise or fresh air. But walking as a way to stir things up creatively. To shake loose the stuck thoughts and let new ones sneak in.
To stop overthinking—and just move.
From No Plan to Movement
This weekend was exactly what I needed: no rush, no big expectations, no to-do lists hanging over me. Just time.
And when I have time, especially on a sunny day, I often feel a pull: go outside. Walk. Wander. Observe.
It wasn’t some perfectly crafted creative ritual. I just had a thought—”I’d like to go for a walk in the city”—and followed it.
The weather was perfect. Not too cold, not too hot. Just that fresh air that makes you think maybe I’m not tired after all.
And then there was another thought, one I’ve had for a while: grab the camera.
I haven’t done that in a while. Photography used to be part of me. A quiet companion. So I decided to bring it along.
Just like that, the walk became something more than a walk.
On Not Taking the Perfect Picture
Let me say something up front:
I’m not chasing the perfect shot.
I admire photographers who do—who know their aperture from their ISO settings, who see light and angles like second nature. But for me, photography has always been more about documenting life as it happens. The blurry, crooked, overexposed bits too.
I’m not here to get the white balance just right. I’m here to remember the feeling of a city block, a mural that surprised me, a person caught in a moment of joy or effort.
To capture the way I saw it—not how it “should” be seen.
In that way, photography is also a kind of walking. You wander with your eyes.
The Conflict of Capturing
But here’s the thing I wrestle with:
When you’re taking pictures, are you still in the moment?
Sometimes I feel like photography pulls me out of the present. I’m so focused on getting the shot that I forget to feel it.
That’s why I don’t do “active photography” much. But maybe I can learn to do it more mindfully.
This time, I tried to find balance.
Camera ready, but brain still on walk mode.
And the walk gave back.
Fresh Air, Fresh Thoughts
There’s something about walking that just flips a switch in the brain.
I don’t know the science, but I don’t need to.
It works.
Walking clears mental fog.
You breathe deeper, look wider, think looser.
Thoughts start pivoting, rolling, colliding like bumper cars.
Suddenly, old ideas reconnect with new ones. Synapses fire up like it’s opening night.
I walk through the city, and I walk through my own mind at the same time.
What the Walk Sparked
My walk started from a rough-looking skatepark, splashed in layers of graffiti.
I loved it instantly. Messy, vibrant, full of stories.
From there, the city unfolded. And so did my brain.
I have always loved architecture. Actually, I wanted to be an architect, but thats story for another time. A spark of post idea maybe?
When you look at architecture and especially buildings. I noticed murals—so many murals.
I’ve seen them before, of course, but this time I really saw them. That’s what walking does. It slows you just enough to notice.
Then came the idea (mid-step, naturally):
What if I started photographing murals intentionally?
It combines all the things I love: walking, urban exploration, art, architecture, photography.
Boom—creative synapse.
And right after that:
What if there was a mural finder?
A digital map with pins and photos. A mural journal. A public art tracker. Is that already a thing? Probably.
Am I going to check? Nope.
That’s the old me. The one who needed to be first or perfect.
Now, I’m just enjoying the idea for what it is: a good spark.
People-Watching & Punching Bags
Another moment: I walked past a public outdoor gym, and there was this guy. Shirtless, doing boxing drills. Focused. Energetic.
I took a few secret photos (sorry, guy) because his intensity was contagious.
Something about people in their element always fascinates me.
Walks remind you that the world is full of characters—and sometimes you’re just lucky to wander past them.
The “Red Car” Effect
After noticing one mural, I noticed ten.
That’s how it works. Like buying a red car and then suddenly seeing red cars everywhere.
Creativity is like that too. One idea tunes your brain. Then it picks up others like a magnet.
Today, the frequency was just right.
Playgrounds, Geometry, and Summer Homes
Then I passed a playground and saw a dome-shaped structure.
Instant connection: my summer home project.
I’ve been toying with the idea of building a small geometric structure for a while—something rainproof and beautiful.
Seeing that dome lit up another string of ideas. Shapes, materials, dimensions. Possibilities. I added a note in my phone: “dome research—geometric shelter for Hanko?”
Sometimes the inspiration you need for a design project is hidden in a children’s playground. You just need to walk past it at the right time.
So… Why Does Walking Work?
Because walking is movement without urgency.
It gives you time without pressure.
Space without stillness.
Here’s what walking gives me, specifically:
- New perspectives (literally and mentally)
- Sensory stimulation—light, sounds, smells, motion
- Room to think but not overthink
- Creative detachment—I’m not staring at a screen or forcing a result
- Serendipity—unexpected moments, ideas, people, textures
It’s like real-world brainstorming. A non-visual brainstorm happening alongside the visual one.
Your body moves forward. Your mind wanders sideways.
And you don’t even notice it until you’re home, full of ideas.
The Only Downside? Delayed Action
The tricky part? You can’t always act on an idea mid-walk.
You have to hold onto it.
Let it simmer.
Capture what you can in your notes or your camera or your memory.
Luckily, I had my camera this time.
I captured a few sparks from the city around me.
Not perfect shots—but reminders of where my mind had been.
Thoughts Only Become Real When You Start
Just like this post—none of this was planned.
I had a rough theme: “walking and creativity.”
But everything you just read came from starting.
From showing up and seeing what my brain wanted to say.
Ideas are nothing without execution.
And execution doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to happen.
Walks remind me of that too.
You don’t need a map. Just a first step.
A Note to Myself (and Maybe to You Too)
Keep walking.
Keep noticing.
Keep letting ideas bloom without needing to plant them perfectly.
And bring the camera.
Even if it feels silly.
Even if most of the shots will never make it past your hard drive.
Creativity isn’t about capturing every idea or finishing every project.
It’s about showing up to the moment—and maybe documenting a few of them along the way.
Until Next Walk
This blog is still forming.
So is my rhythm.
So is this creative energy I’m riding lately.
But one thing I do know:
Walking helps.
It opens me up.
Puts me in motion.
And reminds me that there’s still so much to explore—out there, and in here.