Pacing and Neighbors

Well, as the title suggests, I prefer pacing to walking. By pacing, I mean that I would rather walk back and fourth or in circles, as opposed to wandering to new and different places every few minutes. I can do this for two hours or more (I have tons of energy). For me, it facilitates better thinking (which I love to do), and moreover, the ability to listen to music without having to worry too much about surroundings. That said, when I pace around the neighborhood, as opposed to in the confines of a cramped bedroom, I tend to get some funny looks. This has prompted me to start going out at night, which does not necessarily seem quite as safe. Can anyone think of a happy medium here? I live in the suburbs, by the way. My neighbors already have mixed feeling toward my family (my dad is rather er...eccentric?), so is there any way in which I can still do what I love without being denoted as a suspicious person or something? I don't typically care about what others think, however, it is hard to mull things over with everyone gawking at me. 

Get a dog - people don't look at you funny when you are on the other end of a rope from a cute mutt.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Get a dog - people don't look at you funny when you are on the other end of a rope from a cute mutt.

I have one. Unfortunately, he takes after the rest of my family, all of whom are couch potatoes and pizza-lovers to boot! Needless to say, he plays dead when I show him his leash, or even if I spell out the word "walk." Absolutely pathetic. 

Get a T-Shirt that says 'you look like you should be more active too' in large print.

Never ever stop doing what you love because miserable insecure people happen to pass judgment.

Original Post by ily51:

Get a T-Shirt that says 'you look like you should be more active too' in large print.

Never ever stop doing what you love because miserable insecure people happen to pass judgment.

There are so many shirts with bold print that I would love to make...someday!

Maybe I'll settle for going out during the mid to late evening? Should not be too dark, and it will probably be nice and cool around then!

dude.... i have to be honest. i think its a bit odd actually. i used pace in the height of my eating disorder. a sort of "anything to not sit still". i dunnno if you are going throught the same thing. but if i saw you walking around in circles or pacing back and fourth i would immediately think there was a prob. and that you now do it at night... is even a bit weirder...... do some normal activity....

I find it a bit odd, too.  But to each his own.

Maybe you could expand your pacing circle a little; walk around the perimeter of a small park or just around one block.

(on a side note:  my cat is stalking my dog!  who'll win the fight?)

From the perspective of someone else, it would probably look odd - but it's also something I would do.  I would happily assign the title 'quirky' to this particular behaviour and continue doing it; if it works for you, go for it.

Original Post by fidget84:

dude.... i have to be honest. i think its a bit odd actually. i used pace in the height of my eating disorder. a sort of "anything to not sit still". i dunnno if you are going throught the same thing. but if i saw you walking around in circles or pacing back and fourth i would immediately think there was a prob. and that you now do it at night... is even a bit weirder...... do some normal activity....

I am very restless. Asking me to sit still for more than 10 minutes would be like asking a Jack Russel Terrier not to bark! However, I eat enough to maintain my activity (and no, not based on anorexic "intuition" either). While the pacing is a way for me to burn off some of my extra energy, it also facilitates sustained concentration on my thoughts. If I try to walk around like normal people, I get too easily distracted (cars, obnoxious people (in cars), dogs, etc.).  Plus, if I choose to listen to music, then I have to worry about getting hit by cars, too. 

Original Post by jenningermany:

I find it a bit odd, too.  But to each his own.

Maybe you could expand your pacing circle a little; walk around the perimeter of a small park or just around one block.

 

 

(on a side note:  my cat is stalking my dog!  who'll win the fight?)

I would love to pace around the park!...only, during the summer, we have these giant spiders that dangle down from the trees O___O You could call my fear unsubstantiated, but you would be VERY incorrect. Last summer, as I was happily walking my then not-so-lazy dog, I suddenly felt something land on my shoulder. Turning to look, I involuntarily began screaming and dancing around in terror. It was the size of a small tarantula! When I finally managed to fling the vermin off of me, I could literally see it trudging away through the grass. Even creepier, it was nearly translucent and stood in stark contrast with the well-manicured turf. Now, normally I have no fear of spiders, but this one crossed the line! They can be near me, even on my shoe, but they are not too come within arms-length of my face! Needless to say, I don't go to that park anymore....

Original Post by nomnom:

From the perspective of someone else, it would probably look odd - but it's also something I would do.  I would happily assign the title 'quirky' to this particular behaviour and continue doing it; if it works for you, go for it.

Well, if my dad is eccentric, then it is perfectly logical that I be quirky!

Maybe you could walk around the block, or maybe the perimeter of a local park?

When I was in school, I used to just circle the building.

Yes it's weird.

But being weird is better than being fat and out of shape, right?  :D

Original Post by rindi:

Maybe you could walk around the block, or maybe the perimeter of a local park?

When I was in school, I used to just circle the building.

I do walk round the block. However, as several people have pointed out, it starts to seem kinda weird after the 10th go-around. 

Original Post by yummy_kitty:

Yes it's weird.

 

But being weird is better than being fat and out of shape, right?  :D

Absolutely!

You want to know my weird exercise habit? I sneak into the community pool at 2 am (because I'm too insecure to swim if people are around), and I paddle around in a pair of panties and a t-shirt in total silence for a couple of hours.

Let me tell you, I would be taken for a total crazy person if anyone caught me doing that. :P  Sometimes you just can't fight the urge to engage in silly habits.

Original Post by yummy_kitty:

You want to know my weird exercise habit? I sneak into the community pool at 2 am (because I'm too insecure to swim if people are around), and I paddle around in a pair of panties and a t-shirt in total silence for a couple of hours.

Let me tell you, I would be taken for a total crazy person if anyone caught me doing that. :P  Sometimes you just can't fight the urge to engage in silly habits.

Reading that makes me feel so much better about my own activity. Thank you for sharing!

Original Post by fidget84:

dude.... i have to be honest. i think its a bit odd actually. i used pace in the height of my eating disorder. a sort of "anything to not sit still". i dunnno if you are going throught the same thing. but if i saw you walking around in circles or pacing back and fourth i would immediately think there was a prob. and that you now do it at night... is even a bit weirder...... do some normal activity....

 Fidget, I would do the same thing. And Vincent, with your ED and all you probobly shouldn't take up "pacing" as a habit either.

It sounds like you might have some anxieties.   Staying within a tiny radius because you're afraid of going outside your comfort zone sounds a bit like a phobia.  And one bad experience with a spider... well... if our ancestors stopped going outside their caves to find food because a spider scared them, none of us would be alive right now. 

I don't think you should care what your neighbors think, but rather start to branch out for your own wellbeing.    Maybe map out a longer route in a car (or online (mapmyrun.com)) , check it all out before hand, and stick to it for a while?  Most people who go on walks and runs don't just wander aimlessly, they have a measured route in mind.

Original Post by zebulancherry:

Original Post by fidget84:

dude.... i have to be honest. i think its a bit odd actually. i used pace in the height of my eating disorder. a sort of "anything to not sit still". i dunnno if you are going throught the same thing. but if i saw you walking around in circles or pacing back and fourth i would immediately think there was a prob. and that you now do it at night... is even a bit weirder...... do some normal activity....

 Fidget, I would do the same thing. And Vincent, with your ED and all you probobly shouldn't take up "pacing" as a habit either.

I think better when I move around. Plus, sitting still for more than 10 minutes or so makes my legs feel weird and unpleasant. 

Original Post by andi8983:

It sounds like you might have some anxieties.   Staying within a tiny radius because you're afraid of going outside your comfort zone sounds a bit like a phobia.  And one bad experience with a spider... well... if our ancestors stopped going outside their caves to find food because a spider scared them, none of us would be alive right now. 

I don't think you should care what your neighbors think, but rather start to branch out for your own wellbeing.    Maybe map out a longer route in a car (or online (mapmyrun.com)) , check it all out before hand, and stick to it for a while?  Most people who go on walks and runs don't just wander aimlessly, they have a measured route in mind.

I'm not imagining it, the spiders literally dangle directly over your head all summer long. Even when walking on the sidewalk near my house I have to worry about them. Personally, I think the community should have the trees cut back a bit, as most people have to duck underneath the overgrown spider-bearers. 

I might try that. However, I probably won't give up taking laps around the neighborhood. I'm not necessarily afraid to leave my immediate area, it's just more hassle if I do. How am I supposed to concentrate on my thoughts when I have to concern myself with a driver who isn't paying attention to the road, or a kid who likes to simultaneously text and skateboard?