The Daily Ritual I Can’t Live Without

What everyday rituals do you look forward to? Early in 2021 — during quarantine — my friends and I challenged ourselves to walk 10,000 to 12,000 steps per day. I quickly fell in love with walking — people watching, spotting cute dogs, clearing my mind, and feeling fresh air on my face. As they say, you’re only a walk away from a good mood. Here are a few photos of my daily walk, in partnership with Lululemon, if you’d like to see…

Sweatshirt: Softstreme Perfectly Oversized Cropped Crew in Blue Willow. Shorts: Softstreme High-Rise Short 4″ in Oasis Blue.

Sometimes I’ll take walks while wearing less comfy clothes (stiff jeans, dresses) but ideally before heading out the door, I’ll pull on easy, soft pieces. Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward matching sets, like this cropped sweatshirt and shorts. How pretty is the pale blue shade?

Sweatshirt: Softstreme Perfectly Oversized Cropped Crew in Blue Willow. Shorts: Softstreme High-Rise Short 4″ in Oasis Blue.

Because I’ve lived in New York for 23 years, walking and biking have always been a part of daily life. But part of me dreaded the idea of meeting such a large step count — 12,000 is a lot of steps! Yet, after the first week, I found myself craving long walks. As my friend Gisela, also a devoted walker, once said when she wakes up, “It’s like I have a walk inside me.” I loved that phrasing.

Jacket: Rain Rebel Jacket in Filbert Tan. Sweatshirt: Brushed Softstreme Half Zip in Bone.

I try to feel comfy but still pulled together. This lightweight trench is perfect for spring and fall days. (It could also be dressed up with a mini skirt or relaxed trousers.) One route I really like goes to the Brooklyn Promenade. The view of the Manhattan skyline takes your breath away, especially at sunset, and you sometimes see people getting engaged. Along the way, I also pass beautiful brownstones — people often leave their curtains open, and it’s so fun to peek in at the artwork.

Sweatshirt: Brushed Softstreme Half Zip in Bone.

Everyone looks good in a half zip — one of my most firmly held beliefs! I’ve worn this white one to the park with the boys and during evening stoop hangs with friends. It looks great with jeans and leggings and is an ideal travel piece for long journeys.

Jacket: Rain Rebel Jacket in Filbert Tan. Sweatshirt: Brushed Softstreme Half Zip in Bone.

What does your exercise routine look like? Lululemon makes such soft, long-lasting pieces for working out, spending time with friends, or just knocking around. Our team likes their cozy hoodies, which come in a bunch of colors, and these leggings are silky soft. See their full lounge collection here, if you’d like.

Thank you so much, Lululemon!

(Photos by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Lululemon. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)