The Short Loop Wins

I almost didn't go.
Flare creeping in.
Body stiff.
Everything felt like too much.

The long trail called.
But my joints had other plans.
My energy had other limits.

So I chose the short loop.
Just a small act of motion.
A quarter mile through familiar woods.
It doesn't demand anything except showing up.

I rolled slowly through dappled light.
The world felt smaller here.
Manageable.

Moss carpeted the ground in brilliant green.
Soft. Forgiving. Above, one hawk circled.
Lazy. Unhurried.

Halfway through, something shifted.
Maybe the light catching ferns.
Or how quiet everything felt.
Relief, maybe. Recognition.

The woods knew I was there.
It didn't care that I chose easy over ambitious.
Short over long. Gentle over grinding.

Sometimes the smallest acts of motion
become our greatest victories.
Not because they're impressive.
But because they're the difference
between giving up and keeping going.

The short loop was enough.
More than enough.
It was everything.

* * *

→ Related: Put Your Body to Bed Like You Love It

If this landed:

Start with Layer One when building from ground zero
Try a micro-ritual for a 2-5 minute reset
Explore Slow Wisdom for more reflection

*Peer reflection, not therapy advice. Your healing journey is uniquely yours.*