I haven’t done my first Camino yet (it will be in August of this year), but I certainly wouldn’t mind finding romance…but it’s complicated.
I lost my SO to cancer 10 years ago, and I’ve been grieving since then, but it’s time to find a way to move on. I’m doing much better these days, and I feel better to the point that it’s time to open up to others.
I’ve always been shy, introverted, and dating has always been too awkward for me. I’m not into bars, and I’ve heard too many horror stories about dating apps that I’d rather not go that route.
While my Camino’s focus is about healing and learning to move on, and romance is not my main priority, I do think a situation like these, where I get to meet people from all backgrounds might help me learn how to navigate social interactions, and, who knows? Meeting the love of my life under those circumstances would probably be more organic than conventional dating, and maybe more successful. I might not get a long term relationship out of the experience, but at least I might get better about breaking the ice.
I also trying to figure out how much or how little to share about my past life with other people, because it’s a bit turbulent and complicated. I want to learn to feel comfortable with people’s reactions, whether positive or negative.
I do think that, if I am successful in completing the Camino, that would boost my confidence, and yes, there’s an allure to being a pilgrim that has walked across Spain with just a backpack. I might even try out a dating app just so I can put that in my profile! But in all seriousness, what I am more hopeful is to have the opportunity to have interesting, meaningful conversations with fellow pilgrims, get new perspectives, learn something, and enrich my life, while hopefully contributing something good to others with whom I might cross paths.
So, we’ll see how it goes. I hope I can learn to avoid expectations while at the same time being open to whatever happens.