13/11/2025
Camino de Santiago Reflections: Maintaining Purpose, Connection & Simplicity.
After walking the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, over 850kms, it is well worth the planning, focus and completion, The Camino as many have done is not just simply a very long walk; it's a journey over mountain ranges, through different landscapes and of course being with self.
Each day brought with it a rhythm of simplicity yet complexity of planning for the next day. Pack backpack, (questioning myself about what I could rid of today to lessen the weight and it was only 6.5kg without water), reflect, connect, complete the days section between 18 - 28kms, find food, unpack backpack, wash clothes, reset, sleep and repeat.
Conversations with other pilgrims from all over the world reminds us that we are all connected in some way, through our hopes, achievements and challenges. We shared stories not so much about our jobs or careers, but about stories in life. We laughed, walked together in silence, compared blisters etc, striving for the same destination that seemed so far away, yet the distance offered a deeply personal and enriching opportunity to take time with self, for self, by self, to self.
With the person who had lost both parents this year and was walking with their ashes to say goodbye. Another person who was 82, walking the Camino after losing their husband last year. The German couple in their late 60's who had walked from their front door and wow seeing them power up steep accents with such determination came so easy to them... or so it seemed.
Three local Spanish ladies in their 80's and 90's who I met at an Albergue as they were there for afternoon tea; one coming up to me holding my face because I smiled at her, thanking me for .... nothing really. A single mum who was walking with her 12 year old to get to know each other again without techology. Wow wow wow.
The Camino as many of you know, is the teacher/coach in about letting go of what you don't need, what is crucial to keep and what to release. It really highlights what we don't really need in our own life backpack that we can carry every day without knowing it.
It helped me to reset as I wanted to do after completing the PhD journey, be present in nature and definately dig deep with grit and determination to see if I could do it. Every step, blister, sunrise, sunset and mountain range offered me a quiet reminder of the need for ongoing resilience, humanity and remember to find space in the noise of life.
As I have now returned to daily life, the important message is not to lose what was gained on the Camino and to keep letting go of what is not needed or wanted, be purposeful and find time with self, for self.
The Camino ends in Santiago but continues on.....
