Wanderlust is “A profound and meandering modern classic about the historical, political and philosophical paths traced by walkers, their routes and the act of walking.” 

Wanderlust was the first book I read written from the perspective of a woman. Not only that, but the first walking book I read. This book had a significant influence on me in a variety of ways. It opened my eyes to every topic discussed. It helped me understand how I felt about walking and what I wanted my photobook to touch on. 

Whilst reading, I found a quote that stuck with me “It starts with a step and then another step and then another that add up like taps on a drum to a rhythm, the rhythm of walking.”.

When I read this phase, I stopped in my tracks. I had to write it down. As I continued reading Wanderlust, I kept reverting to the quote. It stuck with me, but only out of context. I couldn’t help but think my whole project started with a step. I shouldn’t let my anxiety stop me. My fears stop me from doing what I enjoy. Stop me from the feeling that I am constantly chasing. The freedom. The isolation. Just alone in a beautiful landscape with nothing but my thoughts and camera. I find walking is a therapy. It helps me understand what I am thinking and helps me process what is happening and how I should move forward. But it all starts with a step. Overcoming the fear starts with a step. One step. That’s nothing. One step. Overcoming my fear is manageable when you break it down into it starts with a step. 

After finishing this book, I did not revisit it until a few weeks had passed. By this point, my project had developed, and the sequence for the photobook was almost finalist. However, I didn’t have a title. When I opened the book, the first Post-it note I saw was the quote it starts with a step. I felt right. I didn’t try any other titles. I knew. My project then became It Starts With A Step.

Other quotes that stuck with me:

“The mind is also a landscape of sorts, and that walking is one way to traverse it.”

“While the fewer wanderers, the more lonely and dangerous it really becomes”

“ The random, the unscreened, allows you to find what you don’t know you are looking for, and you don’t know a place until it surprises you”