Do I need treatment for a forum addiction?

[Peregrinopaul]

I have never been remotely drawn to social media. I have never tweated, and I hate Facebook. But I can't leave this forum alone. It's seriously interfering with my preparations for my upcoming camino. Damn it, I should be out doing preparatory training, or sorting out gear, and here I am hitting 'Recent Posts', worried that my wife might look over my shoulder and make disparaging remarks. And how about that little red 'Alerts' flag! Enough said.
The sooner I get my feet, (well ... wheels) on the ground in Spain, the better.
Till then, I'll have to make do with another forum fix.
And I'll just have to hope that everybody totally ignores this post, or that little red flag will ...... Well you get the idea.

 

[Suzanne S.]

Only posting here to get a little red flag of my own...

 

[mspath]

Paul,

Just wait until you arrive in Santiago after successfully competing your camino. From then on you truly will be addicted and need a Forum 'fix' at least twice every day. Be prepared!

Buen camino!

MM

 

[Al the optimist]

Feel free to join "The friends of Al" group. Though from personal experience we don't do a lot to discourage each other.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Only posting here to get a little red flag of my own...

As Tom said in the movie ..... 'Spoken like a true addict'!

 

[naplesdon]

The only cure is to get out there and walk. Disconnect and go rogue, I start my detox at the end of May.

 

[VNwalking]

Buen Camino, fellow addicts!
I'm the same as you, Paul. On the Camino I'm so soooo happy to never connect with anything in cyberspace...can't imagine posting on a blog every day...but now I'm back...
Yes, what everyone has said above is sadly true. Watch out!

 

[JohnMcM]

Only posting here to get a little red flag of my own...

Here you go then Suzanne S, this should give a little red flag. Try not to eat it all at once

 

[Kiwi-family]

Only temporary cures have been discovered - as soon as you stop walking, old symptoms return. Treatment in your case would be to start planning a walk as soon as possible after your bike ride.

 

[pilgrim b]

Here you go then Suzanne S, this should give a little red flag. Try not to eat it all at once

John how many sleeps now before you go on your next camino dosage?

 

[MKalcolm M]

I usually find that that a liberal dose of vino tinto helps any addiction. Bearing in mind the need for moderation in all things in all things and that includes sobriety, oh and don't post when you are on the far side of plastered....

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Honestly, you people are not helping me......sigh!
At least you came up with a practical suggestion, Al, but honestly I can't see myself sitting in a circle of fellow sufferers at an FA meeting every Tuesday afternoon, saying, 'Hello, my name is Paul, and I'm a forumaholic'.
Disturbed sleep last night, dreaming about lugging a boulder-sized iPad to Cruz de Ferro, and we know where that came from.
There's only one cure. This is my last post, ......I swear!

 

[Angelo]

Paul, no therapy required. You'll have to just feed the addiction! Or you'll find yourself suffering from withdrawal symptoms...Buen Camino

 

[Kiwi-family]

This is my last post, ......I swear!

I bet it's not;-)

 

[Al the optimist]

We meet under "Special Camino Topics". Or rather we don't meet as all there are hopeless cases.

 

[Dan the Man]

Paul:

I hear you my friend. I do not leave until August 19, 2015. I have been reading about this camino for 9 years and decided this year was the time to do it. I too am addicted to the forum and I have to say I am ever thankful to you all for your advice and thoughts.

I have made many posts and each reply has been helpful. I am no longer stressed about my job. I no longer wake up at night thinkimng about work. It has all been replaced with 24/7 thoughts about my camino. I rush to check the forum every day. I may memorize my Brierly Guide before I leav, as I have read it so much!

This addiction is not bothering me at all. The forum gives me hope that strangers can actually be kind, care about one another, and be helpful to each other in a way this world so desperately needs.

My biggest fear is what will I be like during the camini and then afterwards?

Dan

 

[Al the optimist]

No need to fear the aftercamino Dan. No matter how really, really splendid a person you are you will still like the new you.

 

[FurnessTravellers]

Hi there, we walked part of the Camino last year before a blood clot in the leg stopped our journey flat, in Astorga. Now finding my addiction is not so much the forum as it was pre-Camino, but the actual journey. I think about it all the time, i find that memories just pop in to my head without any prompting, they just seem to be there waiting to come to the surface! I often find myself smiling, just remembering. People said it would get under our skin, and oh they were so right. Literally can't wait to put the pack and boots back on next year, and hit the track again........sigh!!!

 

[Larazet]

Forumaddicted AND only seven sleeps to go!

 

[pilgrim b]

I must clarify the position the Friends of Al, find themselves in!!
Sitting in a circle with some special detox conversation!
You can dream on to your next camino!!
Or a one to one personal consultation, well maybe on "Special Camino Topics".
But you may have to resort if you are to have any chance,
to checking the Camino forum calendar for Al's next camino.
Then like me go on the camino at the same time then you might just :
"If you can't beat it just join him" in 29 sleeps on Camino.

 

[VNwalking]

Forumaddicted AND only seven sleeps to go!

Larazet, you'll be glad to know that once you're on the road, the addiction should wane. Instead of thinking about the Camino, you'll be busy DOING it! The best detox ever. Wishing you a buen Camino!

 

[FurnessTravellers]

Paul,

Just wait until you arrive in Santiago after successfully competing your camino. From then on you truly will be addicted and need a Forum 'fix' at least twice every day. Be prepared!

Buen camino!

MM

Hello MSPATH, are you off on the Camino this year?

 

[mspath]

O

Hello MSPATH, are you off on the Camino this year?

With luck yes I will be! At 76 hope still springs eternal.

MM

 

[FurnessTravellers]

O
With luck yes I will be! At 76 hope still springs eternal.

MM

Fantastic. We are in our mid 50's and feel as though our real physically adventurous years have just begun. Maybe when i am 76 i will be able to talk a grandchild or two in to coming with me! Have you walked in different seasons, and if so which have you found the best? We walked in September (Autumn) which was lovely but a little damp.

 

[Al the optimist]

I met an 83 year old Canadian at the Finisterre lighthouse two years ago. That's the oldest pilgrim I have met. Now that is what I call a Camino Veteran!

 

[JohnMcM]

John how many sleeps now before you go on your next camino dosage?

Seventeen until I go to Dublin, get my first stamp at the Guinness Visitor thingy place, and eighteen until I leave StJPDP

So looking forward to walking the Primitivo as the second part of my Camino this time.

Buen Camino

 

[pilgrim b]

Seventeen until I go to Dublin, get my first stamp at the Guinness Visitor thingy place, and eighteen until I leave StJPDP

So looking forward to walking the Primitivo as the second part of my Camino this time.

Buen Camino

Will look out for you round Palis de Rei or Melide 3rd / 4th June (Blue Osprey forum badge on it) have a great time Buen Camino John.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I bet it's not;-)

Alas, alas! How right you were.

 

[Annie G]

My life is on hold because of this walk. Six months ago I had never heard of the Camino. Now it regulates everything I do long term, including buying a house. This is sick. I have reserved a corner of my bedroom that accommodates stuff that has anything to do with the Way, i.e., supplies, equipment, packing lists...(not too much as I am traveling light). I have read too many memoirs and have purchased both The Way and Six Ways to Santiago, and watch at least one of them every month or so, including the extras on the DVD. I follow this forum at least daily and often more than that. I live vicariously through pilgrim veterans. It's like I have no life outside of this venture. Since I'm not leaving until June 2016, this is a serious matter. I am addicted obviously but I don't care.

 

[Al the optimist]

It can only get worse Annie!

 

[Annie G]

Hope so.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Pere-Paul yes this is most definitely the most addictive social media forum. However it will not cause danger to your health, won't send you to jail or broke nor affect your relationship with others (maybe it - depends upon their ability to put up with your Camino monolog!!). So in short - you now have a widespread family who will laugh with you (even at you); who will love you (and your sense of humour) and offer support and a shoulder to cry on in times of need. A very Buen Camino

 

[Al the optimist]

And we are quite prepared to follow all of any monologue starting with - "One day on the Camino when I was walking to ....."

 

[Tia Valeria]

Following the forum addiction it is then possible, when in Spain, to feed one's addiction to Águila Roja. We see from the rtve website that it is back soon..........

 

[Larazet]

Larazet, you'll be glad to know that once you're on the road, the addiction should wane. Instead of thinking about the Camino, you'll be busy DOING it! The best detox ever. Wishing you a buen Camino!

Four sleeps now.... and now my sister who lives locally has broken her leg and is in hospital and having an op tomorrow... testing times, but I am still going!

 

[VNwalking]

Walk for your sister, walk for you...and buen camino!!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Four sleeps now.... and now my sister who lives locally has broken her leg and is in hospital and having an op tomorrow... testing times, but I am still going!

"Bummer" - well hopefully the medicos will have her fully repaired in time to walk all or part of the Camino in 2016 - maybe you can back-up as the expert guide!!

 

[FurnessTravellers]

Four sleeps now.... and now my sister who lives locally has broken her leg and is in hospital and having an op tomorrow... testing times, but I am still going!

Hello Lazaret,

The day before we left to travel to Europe to begin our Camino, after 18 months of training and so much planning, all our children and grandchildren came to stay with us and go to the airport to wave us off. Our son and his young family were moving in to our home while we were away and he had his car packed with belongings as did our daughter and her husband, who had helped him move. When we got up the morning of our departure we found our sons car broken in to, and our daughters car gone! So off we went to to airport with only 2 family members instead of 10, and the police at our house dusting for fingerprints. Their belongings were later found thrown out on the side of the road, and the car found wrecked.

What a way to start our holiday, but we went and walked and found it to be a very special and spiritual time, despite the "testing time" before we left. I really hope it can be as special for you.

Blessings, Furness

 

[drvnsmiln]

My life is on hold because of this walk. Six months ago I had never heard of the Camino. Now it regulates everything I do long term, including buying a house. This is sick. I have reserved a corner of my bedroom that accommodates stuff that has anything to do with the Way, i.e., supplies, equipment, packing lists...(not too much as I am traveling light). I have read too many memoirs and have purchased both The Way and Six Ways to Santiago, and watch at least one of them every month or so, including the extras on the DVD. I follow this forum at least daily and often more than that. I live vicariously through pilgrim veterans. It's like I have no life outside of this venture. Since I'm not leaving until June 2016, this is a serious matter. I am addicted obviously but I don't care.

Ha! We redid our house while I was on Camino Frances September/October 2014 and I now have a Whole Closet dedicated to Camino related books, my pack, sleeping bag, clothing, pictures, etc! Was hoping to go and be done with it but now I am being "called " to VdlP for just after Easter 2016. The Camino (any route) is on my mind constantly! I am afraid I too have become an addict!

 

[SYates]

... I now have a Whole Closet dedicated to Camino related books, my pack, sleeping bag, clothing, pictures, etc! ...

I wish I had that! Lucky you! SY

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Ha! We redid our house while I was on Camino Frances September/October 2014 and I now have a Whole Closet dedicated to Camino related books, my pack, sleeping bag, clothing, pictures, etc! Was hoping to go and be done with it but now I am being "called " to VdlP for just after Easter 2016. The Camino (any route) is on my mind constantly! I am afraid I too have become an addict!

Ah, but an organised addict. That's a whole new category. I won't let my wife read your post.

 

[Annie G]

Ha! We redid our house while I was on Camino Frances September/October 2014 and I now have a Whole Closet dedicated to Camino related books, my pack, sleeping bag, clothing, pictures, etc! Was hoping to go and be done with it but now I am being "called " to VdlP for just after Easter 2016. The Camino (any route) is on my mind constantly! I am afraid I too have become an addict!

Awesome. Your devotion is inspiring. I may need to reconsider the need for a linen closet.