I walked the Camino de Santiago for 500 miles
In May of 2023, I ventured on a solo, 500-mile pilgrimmage across northern Spain, referred to as the Camino de Santiago. The traditional route is named the “Camino Frances,” or “The French Way.” It is a journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The trail is well-marked by yellow arrows and markers like in the picture above.
I found the Camino to be physically and emotionally challenging, and as I reflect on my journey and process all my emotions after returning home, I am still not sure what to make of it.
Many times during my Camino I wanted to quit and go home. An unusually cold weather spell during the first few weeks caused me to struggle with health issues most days. When you combine this with the general stress of a long-distance hike, being alone, and navigating in a new environment, life becomes overwhelming and it takes a toll.
I had to engage in major self-care. This meant taking rest days; sleeping in private accommodations versus hostels; taking a taxi, bus or train to make up for time; and limiting my socializing because I just was not up to it.
In spite of these challenges, I was able to manage them and still walk the entire pilgrimmage! I enjoyed being outdoors for 5 to 7 hours each day, especially when the weather warmed up! I did the best I could to cope with the challenges and prioritize my self-care needs.
Not everyone has the same experiences as I did while walking the Camino de Santiago. Some people don’t want it to end. This is just an honest report of what I went through at this time. Perhaps if I did the Camino again, and I was able to be at my healthiest, I would have a different experience.
What did I learn from this all?
Stress undermines our ability to feel good and to function well in life
You can feel stressed and not be aware of the impact it is having on you
Movement on a daily basis is so important
Being outside is also important
The body is incrediby resilient and will adapt to conditions to help you survive
It is good to be aware and in tune with what your body and mind need in any given moment - self-care is vital
Always follow what is best for you. What is good for someone else may not work for you. The Camino tends to be romanticized in many of the pictures and videos on social media. This may be the truth for some people but not all. We are all walking our own individual caminos in life, and just like life, it varies.
I’m sure there is much more that will unfold for me in the coming days from this adventure. Right now I am staying present to the inspirations I am having about myself and my life every day.
Buen Camino!
