I love taking walks. Ever since I was in grade school, I used to get out and just walk the neighborhood. On those walks, I used to work through things that were on my mind, figure out brand new ideas and explore my dreams, and just get to know what was around me. Getting to know my environment turned out to be the very thing that led me to interior design in the first place. I would walk the streets looking at big, beautiful houses that I would love to see more of, and thinking through what it would be like if my family lived there.

Eventually, the neighborhoods changed, and what I once saw as “big beautiful mansions” and “block party destinations” began looking more and more abandoned. It made me sad, but I decided at some point I would change that. So my walks continued and my dreams got bigger as I got older. Eventually, it led me to interior design, a dream that has proved itself strong and unwavering.

Now, my walking happens inside a building with tons of equipment, mirrors, and sweaty people lol. That said, it’s still a time to work through what’s on my mind, think of my big dreams, and get in tune with the people in my community. My glorified people watching may not be the same as looking at homes in my neighborhood, but it is a way to understand the people in my community: what makes them tick, what excites them, and how they interact in a setting specifically designed to welcome everyone.

What about you? What’s your favorite physical activity or exercise?