Hola First name / pilgrim 👋

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Just sat here having finished my next chapter about my Camino del Norte and I realised that it is so important to do the Camino how you want to.

 

I know, I know - of course I knew this before, that's why it's called Your Way, Your Camino, but it really is hitting me how different they have all been, as has how I have done them.

 

 

Tip 1: Take what you like and leave the rest

There is so much information out there on what you “should” or “shouldn't” do on your Camino. Before you go searching bear “take what you like and leave the rest” in mind. It's a phrase I learned in Al-Anon (the sister fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous for those around the person with a problem with drink).

 

You don't have to listen to it all and it won't all apply to you.

We are all different and how we want to experience our Camino is too.

 

Find what resonates with you and say “thanks, but no thanks” to the rest (Including this tip if it doesn't sit with you 😜)

Tip 2: Gift yourself some time to figure it out

Maybe you aren't sure how you want to do it.

 

Take some time to connect with what feels good to you now.

 

Yes - read, scroll, listen to others, but intersperse that with space to see what works for you, to process what you are hearing and see how it lands. Does it feel like something that's right for you?

 

You could get help with this if needed, but I usuallly just combine it with my training. Go for a walk and listen to the world. See what pops in your head, or gives you a kick in your belly. Follow that!

Tip 3: Allow yourself to be “wrong”

Seriously - you might not get this perfectly right first time.

 

When I look back on some of my Caminos I see the plans I had at the start which didn't end up happening.

 

Taking books I never read

Promising myself this was the time to listen to that course

Swearing I would do 2-hours of inner work and meditation a day

Wanting a real solitary journey

Trying to walk insanely long (or short) distances

Thinking I would stay in albergues every night or pre-booking it all

Thinking I would write my book while on the Camino

 

All great plans, but not ones I follwed through on.

Initially I beat myself up for many of these, but I have now realised I usually don't really know what I want or need to do until I get there.

 

It's not “wrong”, it's just different to what I though was “right”!

Tip 4: Try not to work with absolutes

I'm definitely going to do…

I'm sure I don't want to…

There is no way I will…

 

See if you can avoid these. 

 

In my experience the Camino can throw up some real curve balls and take me far from what I thought and often way out of my comfort zone.

 

Stay flexible and open to see what the Camino brings you.

Tip 5: Don't get sucked in

This might be getting swept along with a group, rather than doing what you want.

 

Or absorbing others experiences and taking them on as your own. That fear around availability of beds can get contagious.

 

Or following the route others are taking rather than the alternative to that place that sounds really cool.

 

I have made some great connections on the Camino and spent a lot of time with others, even changing my plans to stay with them. But I have also compromised what I want to do for those connections in a way that wasn't right for me too.

 

Keep an eye on staying true to what you want and be aware of getting sucked in.

In summary - HOW

There is a wonderful phrase they use in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) that came back to me while writing this week that I think really helps here.

 

HOW to do the Camino

 

Honesty - with yourself and others

Open-mindedness - to explore and change your mind

Willingness - to try something different and step out of that comfort zone

 

Here are the videos from the del Norte that are all up on the website now too. It will always be one of my favourite routes…

Sign up now for my FREE 1-hour Your Way, Your Camino Workshop where I can help you get started on your Camino planning.

Plenty of space for your questions too.

on

Saturday 1st November at 18:00 GMT

Tuesday 4th November at 18:30 GMT

 

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