Steps, Sweat and Self-Discovery in Putrajaya

There’s something very ambitious about waking up on a weekend and deciding, out of nowhere, “Today is the day I become a healthy person.” No build-up. No training. Just vibes, overconfidence, and probably too much YouTube wellness content the night before. Which is exactly how I found myself lacing up my shoes, filling a water bottle, and heading to Taman Botani in Putrajaya — supposedly for a brisk walk. A harmless activity, right? I started strong. Walked in with confidence. The sun was gentle, the breeze supportive, and my Spotify playlist made me feel like I could conquer the world one step at a time. 0.5 km in: I was smiling at other walkers like a seasoned wellness guru. 1 km in: I was checking my watch, impressed with myself. 1.5 km in: I began questioning why I thought “brisk” meant borderline Olympic speed walking. By 2 km, reality hit me like a motivational coach with no chill. My breathing got heavier, my pace slowed, and my legs were negotiating the terms of surrender. And then she appeared — the legend herself: a makcik in pastel sportswear and Crocs, overtaking me like I was standing still. She had zero sweat, a full face of zen, and she was either on a prayer walk or channeling pure divine energy. To add salt to my calorie-burning wound, she was on the phone. Casually chatting. Probably giving someone kuih recipes while climbing a mild incline. At that moment, I realized two things: 1. I am not as fit as I thought. 2. Never underestimate a makcik in Crocs. Around 4 km in, I made the executive decision to take a “mindful pause.” Some people call it resting. Others call it nearly collapsing. I like to think I was communing with nature. I sat on a bench under a shady tree, watching dragonflies float around like they were showing off. An elderly uncle jogged by and gave me a nod of pity encouragement. I tried to nod back but was too busy focusing on not passing out. Still, sitting there, I realized: despite the struggle, it was beautiful. I was surrounded by greenery, hearing birds instead of traffic, and for once, I wasn’t staring at a screen. eventually got back up, channeling every last drop of motivation from my dehydrated soul. The final 1 km was less a brisk walk and more a spiritual pilgrimage, but I made it. When I finally reached the end of the loop, I felt… not exactly victorious, but relieved and slightly dramatic. I may or may not have whispered “I survived” out loud. Yes. But next time, I’m stretching first. And maybe pacing myself. And definitely bringing a friend to laugh at me when I start regretting everything by the second kilometer. Taman Botani, you are beautiful — and mildly traumatic. Thank you for the views, the shade, and the brutal reminder that fitness is a journey… preferably a slow one. #briskwalk #tamanbotaniputrajaya #nature #healingvibes #burncalories #thingstodo