Outdoor Living – September 2026

The Joy of Walking Mindfully in Ajijic

Anyone who lives in Ajijic soon learns that walking here is unlike walking almost anywhere else. Our cobblestone streets have character. Sidewalks appear and disappear without warning. Tree roots gently lift paving stones, and every stroll requires a certain amount of agility, not to mention a good pair of shoes. It’s easy to think of these quirks as inconveniences. But what if they’re actually invitations?

I’ve practiced mindfulness for more than 35 years, not as someone who spends hours on a meditation cushion, but by weaving awareness into ordinary life—washing dishes, talking with a neighbor, making art, or simply walking down the street. A friend of mine coined the word “catastrotunity”— a potential catastrophe transformed into an opportunity. That perfectly describes our sidewalks.

Rather than seeing uneven pavement as something merely to endure, we can use it as a daily mindfulness practice. We tickle two birds with one feather: we become safer while simultaneously becoming more present, calmer, and more appreciative of the lives we’ve created here.

Before moving to Ajijic, I fractured a bone after rolling my ankle during an ordinary walk in a park. Ironically, these wonderfully imperfect streets have strengthened my walking muscles. Now, when my foot lands awkwardly, my ankle rights itself before injury occurs.

The streets have become my balance trainer, and mindfulness my safety equipment.

One of the greatest pleasures of living here is the beauty that surrounds us: bougainvillea cascading over adobe walls, colorful murals tucked into quiet lanes, unexpected gardens, and the ever-changing light on Lake Chapala.

The trick is learning to alternate our attention. Stop to admire the flowers or the view. But also notice the next five to seven feet ahead of you. Continue walking only after your attention has returned to the terrain beneath your feet. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Hurrying is a recipe for injury, while spaciousness lets you fully experience each step—and each pause.

Playfulness makes the practice even richer. Years ago, when I started teaching creativity workshops, I came up with a formula that still guides much of my work:

Scary + Fun = Breakthrough. Walking Ajijic’s sidewalks can certainly feel intimidating at times, particularly as we grow older. But adding an element of play changes our relationship to the experience.

Try this: become an Olympic judge, scoring each block from one to ten. A ten earns a relaxed stroll. A two calls for complete attention. Looking ahead briefly—while standing still—is all it takes to decide how much focus the next stretch of sidewalk deserves.

Walking with a friend offers another opportunity. Instead of chatting continuously, take turns pointing out one thing you’ve genuinely noticed: the texture of a stone wall, the fragrance of jasmine, or a hummingbird hovering beside a flower. If the path becomes hazardous, help each other spot loose stones or broken pavement and keep an eye out for the spot that wins today’s award for “Most Creatively Hazardous.”

Mindfulness isn’t about making life smaller; it’s about experiencing it more fully. As Thich Nhat Hanh reminded us, every peaceful step contributes to the peace of the world. That feels especially meaningful here, where so many of us have come not simply to retire, but to discover a richer way of living.

The ancient Greeks had a word for that richer life: eudaimonia—human flourishing. It means living with purpose, cultivating our gifts, and finding fulfillment in ordinary moments rather than chasing extraordinary ones. Perhaps flourishing begins with something as simple as taking a better walk.

Before heading out, soften your shoulders, take one deep breath, and let out a long sigh. You might even post a reminder by your front door: Walk Mindfully. Touch it each time you leave the house, letting it become part of your routine.

Ajijic’s sidewalks will probably never be perfectly smooth. And perhaps we wouldn’t really want them to be. Their imperfections invite us to slow down, pay attention, strengthen our balance, awaken our senses, and meet each day with a little more curiosity.

So, the next time you head to the plaza, the tianguis, or your favorite café, remember that you’re doing more than taking a walk. You’re practicing awareness, cultivating resilience, and perhaps discovering that one of Ajijic’s greatest gifts isn’t simply where its streets lead but how they invite us to travel them.

One mindful step at a time.

Taj Baker is a mixed media artist and mindfulness coach living in San Antonio Tlayacapan. She teaches mindfulness, creativity, improvisation, and playful living, helping people bring greater awareness and joy to everyday life. This fall (no pun intended), she’ll be offering a class on mindful walking at the Lake Chapala Society.

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