Why I Walk Every Single Day

Monday, May 11, 2020

Photography by Megan Tsang Hand

On January 1 I vowed to walk for exercise every day for 366 days in 2020.

Then on January 24, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I must confess that when I got the news one of my first thoughts was, “Crap! Is this going to mess up my plans to walk for exercise every day for 366 days?”



 Well, so far, it hasn’t.

I walked after my lumpectomy.

I walked after surgery for my chemotherapy port placement.

I walked after my first chemotherapy treatment.

Some of the people who have been following my #seejavaciawalk IG stories think I’m a warrior. Some of you think I’m crazy.

But my oncologist actually recommended that I exercise every day for at least 20 minutes while I go through chemo to help fight fatigue.

But here’s something you should know – I don’t really walk for any of the physical health benefits. I don’t walk to fight fatigue. I don’t walk to lose weight. I don’t even walk for cardiovascular health.

I walk for my mental health. I walk to stay sane.

Cancer, chemo, and all of the side effects of both make me feel as if I have no control over my own body. Lupus and the joint pain that comes with it makes me feel that way, too.

But when I walk, I take back my power. When I walk, I take back my agency over my own body. When I walk, I feel free. When I walk, I feel like myself – even if just for a little while.

On Friday, I had the privilege of watching a Facebook Live discussion between GirlTrek, Nikki Giovanni, and Angela Davis. Ms. Davis shared that she walks for exercise every day, too. And she left us with a charge: “Walk in the direction of freedom.”

I am doing exactly that.

Follow my daily walks on my Instagram Stories @seejavaciawrite.

9 comments:

  1. That's it! You walk for mental benefit! PERIOD! You will be a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's amazing! I just decided to start walking more and am empowered by your daily committment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad that my walks inspire you to walk, too!

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