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Original poster

Do you feel silly going for a walk by yourself without a dog?!

217 replies

C1239 · 21/01/2023 09:42

I love walking, quite like my own company, but I always feel silly going for a walk by myself! It would be much easier if I had a dog! Does anyone else feel like this or is it fine to go for a long walk by yourself?!

OP posts:
Rainbowqueeen · 21/01/2023 10:02

It’s never even crossed my mind that this would be an issue.

I see lots of others solo walking, I just assume that they also want some fresh air and exercise

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 21/01/2023 10:03

Benjispruce4 · 21/01/2023 10:01

@Lordofthebutterfloofs don’t wander, stride!

Not sure that would make it less mind numbingly boring. 😂

Bestcatmum · 21/01/2023 10:04

No, I go for a long walk everyday in the countryside.
Sometimes I take one of my neighbours dogs out but he's more of a hindrance, he is huge and drags me about.

AbreathofFrenchair · 21/01/2023 10:04

C1239 · 21/01/2023 09:42

I love walking, quite like my own company, but I always feel silly going for a walk by myself! It would be much easier if I had a dog! Does anyone else feel like this or is it fine to go for a long walk by yourself?!

Why would you think it isnt fine?

To feel silly or self conscious over walking would suggest you think that other people are watching you walking. In reality, you probably haven't registered on anyone's radar.

Unless you are doing Charlie Chaplin style walks and twiddling your moustache of course

SaySomethingMan · 21/01/2023 10:04

crumpet · 21/01/2023 09:47

Up in our local wood I am most of the time seen without the dog who is away exploring

Your dog is away “exploring”? So you don’t see what it’s up to?

choochooandspook · 21/01/2023 10:04

yes definitely, obviously not if you're just walking on the roads, but if you're walking in countryside, along canal its very rare that you see someone walking on their own without a dog, I always feel very self conscious on my own

Glorianna · 21/01/2023 10:05

Wtaf did I just read.

BliainNua · 21/01/2023 10:05

I seriously thought this was the most bizarre question, can't believe people feel weird walking without a dog 😕

I wouldn't even think twice about it, and would have liked to reassure the OP that no-one would even notice but it looks like some (very few) people do - please don't let that bother you OP! Get out there and enjoy your walk 🚶‍♀️ 😊

pelargoniums · 21/01/2023 10:05

…what?

GlasgowGal82 · 21/01/2023 10:05

No, I walk by myself without a dog every single day. It means I can go where I want, when I want rather than having to go out in the dark or in the pissing rain because the dog needs out. It also means that I can walk at the pace I want without having to stop every few steps to let a dog sniff something. I do like dogs by the way, I just don't want the responsibility of owning one!

Incognitomum11 · 21/01/2023 10:06

when j go walking in the woods I meet literally no one else without a dog and I feel a bit silly. Also wonder how many people have dogs just to get exercise and how many people are not walking at all. They are the ones who should feel silly really..

lovem · 21/01/2023 10:06

@Benjispruce4 not retired but we don't have kids so I probably have more time and energy than most! I do a long walk on my own first thing, then lunchtime and evenings, sometimes walk at my desk too. I just love being on the move as much as possible 🙂

Mischance · 21/01/2023 10:06

I am widowed and do not have a dog - life would be very boring if I let these stand in the way of going for a walk! I can barely understand your question; it seems so off the wall!!

LikeTearsInRain · 21/01/2023 10:07

I do it a few times a week. AirPods Pro in ears and listen to a podcast. No bother.

Ofbollocks · 21/01/2023 10:07

Is this real? Are you in Iran?

choochooandspook · 21/01/2023 10:07

Glorianna · 21/01/2023 10:05

Wtaf did I just read.

something different to your own opinion, how dare we!!

DingDongDenny · 21/01/2023 10:07

I often go for walks in the countryside by myself, I prefer going with friends or my DH, but since I nip out when I have a spare couple of hours, it's often not planned.

It is fairly unusual, since almost everyone is with other people or has a dog, but I listen to podcasts and am in my own zone.

Mostly people don't react at all, but I did notice over Christmas when people were walking in family groups, I got a few pitying looks. In actual fact I had a really sociable few weeks with friends and family and was glad for a bit of peace

Bigweekend · 21/01/2023 10:07

Why are people so awful?. One woman has expressed a concern that a number of others say they share share.

Why be so dismissive and condescending about it?. I'm sure you other things that bother you that OP would sail through, but even if than's not the case why put her down? Do you really need to express your superior ability to go for a walk so strongly? Does that make you feel good?

bozzabollix · 21/01/2023 10:07

I never walk without the dogs, think it’s a wasted opportunity when they love going out. Also feel a bit exposed and lonely!

SquashPenguin · 21/01/2023 10:07

I see plenty of people out walking by themselves, they usually end up playing with my dog anyway but I’d say it was perfectly normal to be out walking by yourself!

arethereanyleftatall · 21/01/2023 10:08

No.
Why would you feel silly?

LlynTegid · 21/01/2023 10:08

Since March 2020 and working from home, I go for a walk most days. Have met most of the local dog walkers, seen goslings and moorhen chicks grow up, discovered a lot about local streets and how the area grew in late Victorian/Edwardian times, and enjoyed the fresh air.

Would never have a dog myself (or a cat for that matter) as away too much and could not give one the love and care needed.

EscapePlanHoney · 21/01/2023 10:09

I've never owned a dog

I love going for walks
To go shopping
To enjoy nature
To discover new places
For exercise

Never felt self conscious (why would I ? )

I wear appropriate clothes, shoes, sometimes take a rucksack with food & drink

MrsAvocet · 21/01/2023 10:09

I go out for a walk on my own most days, to try to improve my health. But my condition means I can't go very far so I tend to just walk round our village and I do feel a bit of an idiot sometimes. Sometimes I go to the local lake where there are more people just walking for walking's sake and I don't feel at all odd there, but most of those I see when I am walking round the village are dog walkers and I do sometimes wonder what they think I'm up to! One of my regular routes takes me down a lane that is a dead end so I just walk down and turn around so it probably looks like I am planning a burglary or something! We live in a very low crime area so I don't feel I need a dog for security or anything, more like I should have a better "excuse" for being out. Not that it stops me, or ever would, but I do feel slightly awkward.
Mind you, I jokingly said to one of my neighbours the other day that I should borrow one of her dogs so I don't look so weird and she laughed and said she wished she was walking alone like me as she was envious of me not having to stop every hundred yards for the dogs to sniff something or to try to get down a rabbit hole.

SheWoreYellow · 21/01/2023 10:09

I walk through woods to take my children to school and on the way back it’s just me and I do feel a bit like people are wondering what I’m doing. I have noticed though, from lockdown onwards, it became more common to see single people out in the woods for a walk.
If you feel self conscious, if you add a small rucksack and some walking trousers then you are clearly a ‘walker’ which takes away that moment people have of ‘?’.

Obviously you can go for a walk without needing to, but if you’re feeling conspicuous, that might help.