Want to know if you've found your people?
Don't look at how much you have in common, shared interests, or similar backgrounds.
Look at the clock.
If hours feel like minutes when you're together, if you're consistently surprised when someone has to leave, if "one more question" keeps happening naturally, if you walk away hoping you can see them again soon…
That's it. That's the sign.
Time only disappears around the right people.
Here’s how it happened on the trail this week… 🧡
Photos from our walk chapters around the world:
Our host Izzy brought the energy in 19 degrees. The dedication is unreal.
San Francisco Walk #124 happened to land on Alice's birthday. Of course, the group sang to her and got dim sum afterwards!
Live from the trail. The shirtless runner photobombing us = a rite of passage on the Austin walk.
Host Alison couldn't make it, so Columbus regulars led the walk themselves. One of my favorite things about our “walking villages” is that they’re bigger than one person.
(Don’t see your city? We post the photo in each Meetup group after the walk. Otherwise this email would be longer than a CVS receipt.)
🏆 Alice hosted on her birthday. The San Francisco crew broke into song after her opening speech. Her text to our host chat: "Feeling very grateful and loved by this community. 🥹🧡"
🏆 Someone drove an hour from rural Michigan to attend the Detroit walk. They told Izzy: “The second I saw this online, I knew I had to go. A group like this is worth the effort.”
🏆 The London walk ended in a circle where everyone shared what was most alive in them. Cristina said: "What emerged was gratitude for a space where nothing needed to be fixed, where truth and complexity were welcome, and where people could speak honestly."
It was July in Austin.
Which means it was 100 degrees.
Which means nobody in their right mind stands in a parking lot for two hours after walking 5 miles.
But that's exactly what happened after one of our Saturday walks.
Eight of us. Standing on sun-scorched asphalt. Talking about how to create events that make introverts actually want to leave the house.
Someone finally looked at their phone.
"Oh my gosh... we've been standing here for TWO HOURS?"
Nobody noticed because nobody wanted to leave.
That's the thing about real connection. Time doesn't just pass differently… it disappears.
This week on The Board Walks, people brought these topics:
"What does it mean to be truly listened to?”
"When was the last time you felt like you belonged somewhere? What made it feel that way?"
"What's a question someone asked you that you're still thinking about weeks later?"
“How do you know when to trust someone new?”
“What are you most excited about in life right now?”
Screenshot these. Steal with pride. Bring one to your next coffee date or group hang to shift the conversation from “meh” to marvelous.
Quick hits:
📸 Instagram is alive: After months of radio silence, we're finally showing up in your feed. Our goal: brighten your day with sparks of whimsy and FUN! Check out Julia’s host feature →
✨ Expansion update: We’re putting the final touches on our host network, and it’s going to be epic. We’ve had some stellar applicants lately; we’ll likely launch in 3-4 new cities this month. Apply →
✍️ Got a story? I’d love to write a profile on someone who’s had a remarkable time at the walks. Maybe they helped you grow confidence, form friendships, make a major life decision, pick up a new habit or hobby. Your story might inspire someone to join us and experience the same thing. Submit here →
And last but not least…
🔐 The Board is launching soon. For people who don't want the conversations to end when the walk does. Global, curated, application-only. Join the waitlist.
Here's an experiment for your next friend date:
Put both phones in the center of the table. Face-down. Don't touch them for the entire conversation.
Ask one real question. Not "how's work?" but "what's been on your mind lately that you can’t stop thinking about?" or one of our conversation starters above.
Walk instead of sit if you can. Side-by-side beats face-to-face.
Don't try to accomplish anything. Just be there.
Now check the time when you're done.
If it feels like 20 minutes but it's been 90, congratulations. You’re onto something.
Want to run this experiment in the wild?
I happen to know an event that’s specifically designed for people to drop into deep connection over 2 hours… ever heard of it? 👀
Have a whimsical week,
Founder of The Board Walks
P.s. Know someone who makes 2 hours feel like 5 minutes? Send this their way and tell them why. 🧡
