Amy Proudfoot is the founder of the Manchester-based community Sober Social.

Hiya, Amy! Let’s start with the basics: what kind of walking are you into?

I do a mix of solo expeditions and community walks – and I find both equally healing. It’s just about getting into nature and walking for my mental health; being surrounded by a little green space is so important for gaining a bit of perspective. You don’t have to be up a mountain or in the middle of the countryside. Green space is green space – even if it’s just your local park.  

I try to get out for at least 20 minutes a day, whether that’s barefoot walking in my local area or heading out for hours with my beautiful community at the weekend.

Speaking of Sober Social, why has walking become such an important part of what you guys do?

When you start walking in nature, I think you start to feel really connected with the people you’re with. Just the other week, we did a nature hike around the Old Man of Coniston in the Lake District, which was incredible. As well as walking, we did a breathwork session to help open us up to our surroundings before getting into the cold water. Cold water therapy is a really powerful tool for alleviating stress or trauma.

So, Sober Social’s outings are more about being in nature than walking anywhere in particular.  

How did you come to set up the community in the first place?

After years of working a corporate job and drinking excessively at the weekend, I had a nervous breakdown. Although totally debilitating at the time, in hindesight, it was probably one of the best things to happen to me. I became agoraphobic for six months; I couldn’t even go to the shop for a pint of milk, never mind getting to my job or see my friends.

Then, I read a book called Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. It’s all about pushing past limiting beliefs and fears. While travelling, I learned about the importance of holistic health, getting into nature and focusing on nutrition. From that point, I became hooked. I became a personal trainer, did yoga and meditation. I went onto to do more soul searching, wondering how this breakthrough could help other people. The result is Sober Social.  

I wanted to create a space for people to do fun things that didn’t involve alcohol – like hiking, wild swimming and meditation. After a hike, we have an afterparty with a DJ, healthy vegan food and mocktails.

Some people believe that walking can be transformative. It certainly sounds like it has been for you…

Definitely. We have so many different responsibilities, day to day, whether that’s looking after children, keeping up with bills, managing jobs, etc. When we get into nature, however, we drop all of that and we gain this immense sense of freedom. It’s like time and space disappear. Whether you’re walking in nature alone or in a group, that freedom is there for the taking. 

Do you think people tend to dismiss the power of walking?

I think that people often think of walking as a task – it’s something they’ve got to do. They’ll go for a walk in the same spot every single day. But walking is something to be savoured. Try to go to new and interesting places rather than doing the same loop; our minds need to be stimulated. Slow down. Rather than thinking about the end destination, think about what you can gain from nature if you just listen.

That’s sound advice. And what words of wisdom do you have for any sober-curious walkers out there?

People put too much pressure on themselves when they first go sober. It’s so final. I recommend people just set an intention to invite more sobriety into their lives, rather than be so finite. Drop the judgment and just come as you are.  

Images: Amy Proudfoot