Bump, Buggy, and Beyond: Walking Your Way into the 'New Normal'
- elsahartley
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks” – John Muir
In May 2024, I launched the Bump and Buggy alongside Birth and More. In the throes of postpartum life, when your partner has gone back to work and you're at home trying to establish a new routine with a tiny baby, it’s so easy to feel isolated and disconnected. My intention was for these walks to become a space for new mothers and pregnant people to find some sense of normality during an otherwise chaotic time.
Not only does each walk offer an opportunity to meet and bond with other mums who are going through similar experiences, but they also serve as a reminder that you're not alone. Whether it's sharing the struggles of sleepless nights or celebrating the small victories, these walks have blossomed into a truly supportive and understanding community. Let's be honest—motherhood isn’t always glamorous, and that's okay. Though it's important to normalise the fact that we don't always love every moment, it's equally necessary to celebrate the moments when we do love it. Not to mention those in-between moments, when we're neither here-nor-there and we're just living on autopilot! That's exactly what these walks aim to address, offering a space for both the beautiful and the difficult, from the ridiculous to the sublime.
As well as creating a solid network for new parents, our walks also positively benefit our participant's mental health by being hosted in nature. Research shows that spending as little as 20 minutes a day in a green space can significantly reduce anxiety, and (Wells et al, 2003) and reduce rates of depression and anxiety, reduce cortisol levels (Park et al, 2010) and improve general well-being. Plus, the power of getting moving releases vital endorphins and oxytocin, both of which are known to improve mood and encourage feelings of happiness and connection. These walks give you the chance to reap those mental health benefits, all while doing something as simple as enjoying a stroll in the fresh air.
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned from hosting these walks is how special a sense of community is for new mums and pregnant people. The feeling of loneliness or the “how did I end up here?” sentiment can be overwhelming, especially when you’re feeling stuck at home with a baby who won’t sleep or settle, or if you lack an adequate support network or 'village'. I've found that these walks remind us that life will return to a new sense of normal, and that’s a powerful thing to experience. Connecting with others who truly understand what you're going through offers comfort and reassurance in a way that you simply won't get from another huma being, unless they've experienced post-partum themselves.
It’s been a privilege to facilitate these walks, and it has only reinforced my belief that women are some of the most incredible people on the planet. We are capable of so much, and even when we feel like we can’t do it all, there is always a community ready to step in and support each other. If you're a new mum or pregnant person looking for a simple way to connect with others, take a walk with us—it's an easy, low-effort way to meet local mums and find support during this time of transformation that many can find unsettling or isolating. I aim to redirect those feelings into a sense of freshness and rejuvination, as you embrace the next stage of your life alongside your baby and build a loving support network along the way.
To book a slot on the next walk, hosted on the 12th February 2025, click the link below:
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