Most afternoons, somewhere between 3 PM and 7 PM, you’ll find me out on the trail with Rusty and Milo. It’s not scheduled on my calendar or part of any productivity system, but it’s the most important ritual of my day.
Working from home has its perks, but when you’re deep in client emails, code, or content, your brain starts to feel like it’s running in loops. That’s usually when I close the laptop, grab a leash (or two), and let Rusty and Milo do what they were born to do, roam, sniff, run, and chase absolutely nothing at top speed.
They’re 11 and 10 now, so they’ve definitely mellowed out over the years. These days, they tend to take their time, sniff every bush, and generally smell all the “roses” along the way. But don’t let the gray muzzles fool you, they still have their moments. Every now and then they’ll kick into high gear, chasing each other through the leaves like they’re puppies again. I just stand there and laugh.
We have our go-to spots, Cranbury Park in Norwalk is our favorite, and the trails have become as familiar as our own backyard. There’s something grounding about returning to the same winding paths, especially when the world (and inbox) feels chaotic.
These hikes are more than just exercise. They’re my reset button. They give my brain a break from screen glow and Slack pings, and they give me time to breathe, think, or, if I’m lucky, not think at all.
By the time we’re heading back to the car, the sun’s usually low in the sky, Rusty and Milo are content (and slightly muddy), and I feel human again.
Everyone needs a reset button. Mine just happens to come with four legs, wagging tails, and a serious talent for reminding me to slow down.
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