Do you feel safe walking alone?

[toomanycushionshere]

I live in a village, fairly close to some lovely walks across fields. But I never use them on my own! I automatically assume that it would be an unsafe thing to do, even though I’ve never encountered anything or anyone untoward.

I’m sure I’m not the only woman who won’t walk in the country / woods etc alone, but I wish I felt braver and wasn’t missing out. Those of you who do, do you just take your chances or do you take precautions (alarm etc)?

Never used to bother me as a kid, in fact I often used to sneak out at 2 or 3am and go for a wander round town on up onto the moors!
Now I live in a dodgy area so will walk alone but prefer to stick to less isolated areas. Although I do know of a few attacks in my area and one woman was attacked on a footpath whilst I was walking on it (at the time I wondered about the police helicopter over my head then got questioned by police at the end of the path!).

I think it depends - if you don’t feel safe or can’t really fully relax when walking alone then it’s counterproductive. A dog really helps even though in reality mine would be miles away from me on rural walks! I’d never do those alone now - not bcos I think the chances of any harm coming to me are that high, but more that I can’t /don’t relax if on my own (so at a subconscious level I must do). I think common sense always prevails but nothing will ever take the possibility away sadly.