The Tell-Tale Walk
© 2013 GypsyJaguar
The way we walk says a lot about ourselves. The way we carry our body sends out subconscious messages about what we are feeling and thinking. The way we hold our head and shoulders, the straightness of our spine, our length, weight and rate of stride all reveal our mood and state of mind, and will differ depending on those thoughts and feelings we hold, at any given time.
When people have a heavy heart, a lot on their mind or feel bogged down, they tend to walk very heavy. Anger makes people walk louder and more deliberate, often with a scowl on their face or at least between their brows. They may stomp or even swing their arms more dramatically.
Sadness, illness or drowsiness makes people walk slower, slouchier and with heavier feet, but not as loud. They will frequently look toward the ground, avoiding direct eye contact. Shy, insecure or introverted people may look at the ground or otherwise avoid direct eye contact, walking slowly with slouched shoulders.
Someone who is nervous may walk with quick, skittish steps, looking down or around erratically. When people are in a hurry, they usually walk with a medium-weight, staccato rhythm, looking around for any obstacles in their way. If you see someone walking quickly, nervously and completely closed off, clutching their belongings or coat to their chest, they may be running away from someone. They may have also just committed a crime.
Determined, focused people walk with a steady and moderately firm gait, looking straight forward, usually through others. People who are uptight tend to walk with very short, quick strides, looking above or through people across the top of their nose. Arrogance or a need for attention is shown when one puffs their chest out and struts their stuff, looking around to see who's watching.
Confident and grounded people walk with a light to medium weight at a slow to medium pace, alert to their surroundings, looking others straight in the eye. Easy-going individuals walk with more of a loose swagger, alert and open for anything that comes their way. People who are feeling light-hearted and carefree walk briskly and lightly, sometimes with a song-like rhythm. They may even skip or incorporate a few dance steps into their walk. They generally look up and are very alert to their surroundings and others. |
You can even tell a lot about the relationships between people by how they walk together. People who are emotionally close to each other will walk extremely close together, many times touching in one way or another. If someone has an issue with someone else, is not very close to them, or they are only acquaintances they will put more space between each other. You can tell how they feel about the other person by observing their body language toward them. Men typically walk with adequate space between each other out of manly respect. Women tend to walk closer to each other, as they characteristically have more affectionate relationships with each other. Two people who share an equal, balanced relationship will be seen walking side by side, owning their own energy, but often walking to an identical rhythm. |
The next time you are out in public, just sit and watch how people walk. See what you can guess about their moods or state of mind. Pay attention to how you walk. Think about what you are subconsciously saying about yourself with the way you walk. Try some new styles of walking. Being conscious about and even changing the way we walk can change how we feel about ourselves, as well as how we come across to others. Have fun with it and see what it can do for you.
Also see:
Social Savvy - The People Around Us and What They Can Teach Us - Body Language - The Tell-Tale Walk - The Company We Keep - A Bit of Advice - A Matter of Perspective - Being A Good Friend - How To Truly Help Others - Courtesy and Respect - Nice Is Not Always Kind - End the Drama Once and For All - Toxic Relationships
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