Walking without headphones

For a month I left the headphones at home on my morning walk. The first week was uncomfortable. The street was louder than I remembered, and my own thoughts were louder still.

By the second week I knew which house had the dog that barks exactly twice, and which bakery opens its door at 7:10 sharp. By the fourth week the walk had become the part of the day I planned everything else around.

I am not against podcasts. I just learned that some mornings deserve to be heard rather than filled.