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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Snowjive2 · 21/01/2023 10:45

I’d feel silly walking with a dog. I’m afraid that I think adults following pets around look rather foolish.

BliainNua · 21/01/2023 10:45

BCxx · 21/01/2023 10:42

@Maireas thats fair enough, I didn’t tell you to get a dog. OP asked if she should get one and I will encourage everyone that wants one to get one 🤷🏼‍♀️

But surely getting a dog so you don't feel silly walking alone is not a good reason? Get a dog because you want one, and can properly look after it - not because you want to go for a walk.

WonderingWanda · 21/01/2023 10:46

No, I'm about to go for a walk on my own now.

purpledalmation · 21/01/2023 10:46

Sadly I'm unable to walk the lonelier paths around the village (safe village) because I'm worried about being attacked. If i had a big dog I probably would.

HarlanPepper · 21/01/2023 10:46

Normal things that Mumsnet people worry about, part gazillion. "What will people think of me if I go for a walk?" I do sometimes wonder how anyone here gets anything done.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 21/01/2023 10:47

Carry a dog lead and pretend your dog is off exploring GrinGrinGrin
But no, we have a park entrance on our rd and it never occurs to me that it's odd to walk on your own. (Because it's not)

MikeWozniaksMoustache · 21/01/2023 10:48

I’ve had dogs in the past and it’s much more relaxing walking without one. Not worrying if the dog approach is going to bother your dog, not having to pick up and carry poo, not having to grab a million things for the animal you’re bringing. Just headphones and yourself… lush.

MarvelMrs · 21/01/2023 10:48

Nope. Never feel silly. Never even crosses my mind.

dinosaurcookie · 21/01/2023 10:50

I feel like this too if by walk you mean across the fields. Don't ever feel self conscious if I'm wandering around more urban areas, in parks etc but I do if I'm wandering around the countryside on my tod. It doesn't stop me doing it but I do feel people might think it an odd thing to do.

cakeorwine · 21/01/2023 10:50

I love walking on the hills and in the country and often do it by myself.
You do see a lot of people walking by themselves. Without a dog.

The trick is not to care about what people think.

ginghamstarfish · 21/01/2023 10:51

What a daft question.

BeckettandCastle · 21/01/2023 10:52

Sort of, but now Ive got a great pair of over the ear headphones, I really enjoy going for a walk whilst listening to an audio book or the radio.

Natsku · 21/01/2023 10:52

Not at all, I love going for a walk by myself. The only time I feel silly is if I have to turn back the way I came (like if I walk along the road instead of in the forest, its just a long straight road so no circular route to go so I walk for a while then turn back) and feel the need to make a show of looking at my phone like I've got a message asking me to come home - utterly ridiculous of course Grin

Veryfishy · 21/01/2023 10:52

It never occurred to me that a dog was necessary for a walk
I like going for a walk on my own

Purpleavocado · 21/01/2023 10:52

Walking is good for you! If anyone says anything which I doubt they will, say you're getting your 10k steps.

QuertyGirl · 21/01/2023 10:52

This is interesting.

People feeling that they need an obvious reason to be walking about. Which is what human bodies are designed for.

People don't think this about car journeys.

It's almost as if we've been conditioned to feel guilty if not actively consuming something at all times.

People feel silly just doing what they want.

Mental walls. Sad.

watcherintherye · 21/01/2023 10:52

I know exactly what you mean. I’m fine walking into town, longish walk to a friend’s etc. but would never go for a proper ‘walk’ in the countryside, for example, by myself. It would feel too ‘lonely’ without a companion/dog!

sylv165 · 21/01/2023 10:53

Not walking in my own, no. But where I live we have a long coastal path that I sometimes walk along. At some point I need to turn to come back the way I came. I always get really embarrassed about that, especially if someone is walking behind me. I end up doing this weird performance where I have to stop and pretend to check my phone or tie my shoelace until there is no one watching me 🙈😂

SoShallINever · 21/01/2023 10:56

Take binoculars, then you are birdwatching.

Coffeecreme · 21/01/2023 10:57

i feel like i would
absolutely

i do see plenty of people walking without dogs though

Chickenvoicesinmyhead · 21/01/2023 10:57

Noshowlomo · 21/01/2023 09:58

Walking on my own is my favourite thing to do

Same!

cakeorwine · 21/01/2023 10:59

So If @Natsku and @sylv165 were walking opposite ways along a path, at some point one of them would look at their phone and turn around and the other would be there tying their shoelace until the other had vanished into the distance frantically checking their phone Grin

Emmamoo89 · 21/01/2023 11:00

Nope

DillDanding · 21/01/2023 11:00

Snowjive2 · 21/01/2023 10:45

I’d feel silly walking with a dog. I’m afraid that I think adults following pets around look rather foolish.

That might be the daftest thing I’ve read on here 😂

sylv165 · 21/01/2023 11:03

Haha @Natsku glad I am not alone 😂. @cakeorwine just imagine, that would be awful! We could both still be stuck out there at midnight waiting for the other to lose face and suffer the humiliation of turning around in public 😱😱😱