As the new year rolls in, many of us are met with the familiar resolve to prioritize our health. How many times have I declared, “This is the year I get back on track!” only to find my motivation dwindling after a few weeks? The cycle of enthusiasm followed by a lack of follow-through can be disheartening. However, a recent read, *Atomic Habits* by James Clear, illuminated a path forward.

One of the key ideas from the book revolves around creating routines through small, manageable steps. Clear suggests that even dedicating just one minute to a new task can lay the groundwork for a habit that eventually becomes part of your daily life. I took this principle to heart and pondered what activity I could embrace that would be sustainable in the long run. The answer? Walking.

At first glance, the benefits of walking—improved physical health, mental clarity, emotional well-being—seemed too abstract to be week-after-week motivators for me. What could truly inspire me to lace up my shoes and hit the pavement? The answer came from an unexpected source: a trip to CVS.

Working at a theater in downtown Savannah places me just a ten-minute walk away from the local CVS pharmacy. As I contemplated my need for health motivation, I decided, “What if I turned a simple errand into a routine?” I needed to buy something from the store, so I committed to walking there and back—a quick twenty-minute commitment to my health.

To my surprise, this tiny shift made a significant impact. What began as a necessity transformed into a daily engagement. Each day, I’d find myself thinking, “Oh, I need to pick up this item” or “Let me check which sales are on.” I quickly became familiar with the CVS staff, and before long, I was on a first-name basis with them, saying things like, “See you tomorrow morning!”

By effectively utilizing the excuse of running errands, I unintentionally built a walking habit. Soon after, I started to broaden my horizons. “I could use some coffee,” or “I wonder what time that new store opens” prompted further walks. Instead of opting for online searches, I chose to explore in person, discovering new storefronts and quaint parks along the way. 

Working in a vibrant area allowed me to turn my walks into mini-adventures. Each trip became an opportunity to uncover new locations or to enjoy the scenery around me. I would Google the locations I wanted to check out and make it a point to walk there the following day. It became a part of my lifestyle, rather than a chore. 

To my delight, I started noticing real changes—both physically and mentally. Walking became an integral thread woven through the fabric of my routine. So to anyone out there struggling to find motivation: remember that the journey to getting healthy doesn’t have to begin with grand gestures. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple walk to CVS or an exploration of your neighborhood.

Finding what motivates you is key, and it might just be about taking that initial step. Don’t discount the power of small beginnings. Explore, enjoy, and let your walking routine seamlessly blend into the rhythm of your life. You might just find that the motivation to exercise was right around the corner all along.