Over the course of this past year I’ve realized that it would be nice if I expanded my circle of local friends. I have a couple of great friends who I love to meet up with for coffee…but that’s like a whole event to plan and it doesn’t happen as frequently as I’d like (or need!).
Growing up, I remember my mom meeting our neighbor for a walk a few nights a week. They’d call each other on the phone and say, “I’m leaving the house now,” and meet in the middle. They’d walk for a half hour, visit, unwind and then head back home.
That seems so nice…and recently I have found myself wishing for a similar friend in the neighborhood to walk and visit with…and I have no excuse– there are three new families on our road that are close in age– one family even fosters!
So I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and starting a walking club. This scares me for a few reasons:
- What if no one shows up?
- What if one person shows up and they’re weird or I don’t enjoy their company?
- What if I want to quit and can’t because I started it!
I think these are valid….but if I’m looking for friendship, I’m guessing a few others on our road are too!
Tips for Starting a Walking Club
So I did a little “research” and found a few helpful tips for starting a walking club:
- Designate a “co-leader” once it gets going so all of the planning and organizing isn’t on my shoulders.
- If possible, have a set schedule so everyone knows when the group is meeting each week.
- Have a set meeting location.
- Have a plan for poor weather days.
- Be clear who is and isn’t invited– are kids and pets allowed?
This seemed reasonable, so I set to work making a flyer (this is the fun part for me– actually distributing seems scarier ;) Here you can see a sample of the flyer. We’ve created it as a Google Doc, too, if you want to copy it and use it yourself!
TO USE OUR FLYER TEMPLATE:
1) Follow this link to Google Drive
2) Click on “File” in the upper left of Google drive (not “file” for your web browser! ;)
3) Select “Make a copy” from the dropdown
4) Hit “Ok” — this will save a copy to your Google drive that can be edited!
How I’m going to distribute the flyers:
I thought about mailing them but know that a personal invitation goes a lot further! So my hope is to deliver them in person. Then I can put a face to the flyer and hopefully they can see that I’m fairly normal myself (I know they’ll have most of the same concerns that I did!! ;)
VIDEO: Will you be my friend?
(Or watch this video on YouTube here!)
What will happen next?
Overall, I don’t know how this will go…and as much as I’m nervous, I’m also excited. I think we all could use a little more human interaction right now (outside of the humans in our immediate household!) so I’m hopeful that some great connections will be made!
I’ll keep you posted!!!
Other recent posts you might like!
How to DECIDE ONCE when Decluttering! (with printable guide!)
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Baby Scrap Boxes: How I Store Baby Keepsakes (Family minimalism tips)
I just wanted to say this was a great article that really answered a lot of the questions in my head and addressed the feelings I was feeling. Thank you!
Dawn,
I am so thankful that I’ve found your channel! I did the whole Marie Kondo thing a few years ago, but my house was still a wreck a few days after cleaning it (I got rid of so much, but too many things sparked joy! Lol). I needed to hear you ask if I want to maintain those items. Since following that approach, I have gotten rid of TONS of stuff over the past few months. I love the “time will tell basket!” I’ve had a pile on my kitchen counter for close to 30 years; now that little pile (cricket) of “I’m not sure if I’ll need this” is in a basket in a drawer. I LOVE my mostly cleaned off counters!! My grown kids come over and talk about how peaceful and clean the house feels, how much larger the rooms feel.
I’ve felt so overwhelmed with my house for most of my life. Now, with so much of the excess gone, I finally feel peaceful. I could go on and on with how you’ve helped me. Thank you so much!!
I’d love to hear a follow up on your walking club. I hope you were able to do it.
I love your raw honesty. How many people who call themselves Christians would put themselves out there with complete vulnerability!!?? You are showing/living in a real headspace/open lifestyle and I truly appreciate it!! Thank you for setting an example even with you fears and concerns. I would drive from Maryland to Minnesota just to walk with you once so I could listen to the things God has laid on your heart!! Really love you girls!!
Dawn,
I’m writing to say thank you. Finding your YouTube channel has changed my life. I know this sounds dramatic but I’m dead serious. I’m a nurse, homeschool my 3 kids, and a currently getting my bachelors degree. For the last several years, I have felt so overwhelmed. I spent so much of my time “cleaning”, missing out on fun times, to still have a messy house! I would cry to my husband and ask what am I doing wrong. I would “deep clean” and “organize” my house every six months, but nothing worked. When I found your channel and started watching your videos, something clicked in my head. I spent two weeks getting rid of a ton of our stuff. It was brutal but watching your videos got me though it. Now, my life is so much better!!! I cannot believe the answer to my problems was found on YouTube and it was minimalism. I will be a lifelong fan and am forever indebted to you, you have given me my life back. Bless you!
Dawn,
I always enjoy your blogs and videos. I love that you bring up a great idea of making a local walking club. I am very introverted, this makes it hard to make new friends in the area. Your worries go down the list of what I am like with people. I enjoy your youtube videos. You have helped me in last year and half with decluttering my house and becoming a simpler person.
Thank you,
Sarah
Dawn you will do great! Don’t over think it! You got this!
Remember it’s just for an hour a couple of times a week.
Advice: people need to win your trust before you open to them, let time show you who you’d like to be your friend.
Just be present and be you! You are very lovable and joyful which draws people to you as you see in your YouTube videos.
You have made this past year happier by sharing your life with me. It’s the highlight of my day ! I love you , your family and your sister, you two are adorable, intelligent caring people.
I wish I lived close to you! I’d be walking with you, no doubt about it.
It is a good thing that you live in an isolated area otherwise the police would have to intervene because it would look like a marathon following Dawn in her walks. 😅
All kidding aside just do it and enjoy it.
I wish you the Best in everything you do! 🤩🌷💓
Best wishes Dawn, you will do great!
Hi Dawn! I’m in town as well- and we actually went to high school together! I’d love to join a walking group- (and my sister posted on here as well- we could all walk together!!) I have dogs and kids- but I’ll leave them at home. ;)
Dawn, I just left a message on your Youtube post, but I’m sure it will get lost in the many comments since you have so many followers now. I am in the area (in town), not out by you . I’ve followed you for years and I would absolutely join your walking club! I’ve been needing to expand my circle, as well.
I would love to do something like this. I took early retirement last July 1st. I’m 58 years old. I found that I have more free time so I would love to join up doing something like this.
Hey Dawn! We’ve met a couple times at church. I even saw you last night at church but didn’t come to talk to you because I didn’t want to “bug you.” Now I’m thinking that was just the enemy speaking to me possibly prohibiting a true friendship starting. I would love to join your walking group! Especially since we live in the same area:)