01. THE_BORING_WALK

When I first started walking every day, it wasn’t out of passion — it was for fitness. I just wanted to lose a bit of weight, stretch my legs, and maybe feel healthier.

But after a few days, I realized something: walking was boring. Same route. Same trees. Same silence.

I wanted something to keep my mind engaged — something that made me actually look forward to those walks.

02. REAL_LIFE_POKÉMON

That’s when I discovered the Merlin Bird ID app, and without realizing it, I stumbled into the surprisingly fascinating world of birding.

Every time I identified a bird correctly, it felt like catching a Pokémon — except this time, the creatures were real. They were colorful, alive, and unpredictable.

Birders even have their own version of a Pokédex — a life list — a record of every species you’ve seen for the first time in your life.

03. LEARNING_FROM_OTHERS

After a few weeks of solo spotting, I happened to meet a fellow birder — an ornithologist — at the same lake I usually walked by.

He introduced me to eBird, a global platform where birders log sightings, track observations, and even plan trips based on recent activity.

Birding suddenly felt less like a solo activity and more like joining a living, constantly updating system built by people across the world.

04. SEEING_MORE

Getting my first binoculars was like switching from 480p to HD. Birds that once looked like dots suddenly revealed patterns, colors, and detail.

I wasn’t just walking anymore — I was actively looking, listening, and noticing what had always been there.

05. WHY_IT_STUCK

Birding made me more observant, more patient, and more aware of the environment around me.

It doesn’t require expensive gear or constant attention — just curiosity and a willingness to look up.

If you’re bored of your daily routine or tired of screens, try birding. You might go out for a walk, but you’ll come back seeing the world differently.