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mental challenge

  1. Z

    Looking for 'friends of Bill' on Camino in April 2024

    Hi, I am starting my Camino in St Jean Pied de Port the second week of April, I am wondering if any "friends of Bill" are going to be around at the same time. I intend to hit some meetings along the way. I have some spanish but am by no means fluent. I am ok with meetings where I didn't...
  2. TeMahAbuela2023

    Mental Health on and AFTER the Camino

    I am by no means a Mental Health professional (MHP). However Psychology and Nursing is my educational major and loss and grief are the highest topics since the PANDEMIC, in which I have had the pleasure OF FIRST HAND FRONT AND CENTER ON MY FACE experience with people of all walks of life, faiths...
  3. SabsP

    AA and reflection time on the Camino/ newsarticle.

    IMO a very interesting article how the Camino can be a time of reflection and introspection about sobriety and abstinence of alcohol. Initiative of the AA in Galicia. https://www.elcorreogallego.es/santiago/2023/10/07/camino-via-informar-alcoholismo-93036703.html
  4. Sssnek

    LIVE from the Camino Struggling with doubt on the Camino Frances

    I just finished day 6 of CF in Estella, and am having my first major moment of doubt. Today was crazy hard for me. Puente la Reina to Estella, it was pretty hot, and in the last 5km or so, my right Achilles started to hurt a ton. I’m doing a half day tomorrow, just ~9km to Villamayor de...
  5. MainelyStina

    Asking for Encouragement to Continue the Camino

    I could use a bit of help this morning. I am not doing great after yesterday’s incidents (if you missed it you can read my post in tye Safety forum). I feel pretty certain that my damaged umbrella (which looks like it’s been bent over someone’s knee) and my missing Sahagun certificate were not...
  6. silviasmart

    Friends of Bill - Any Great AA Meetings Along the Way?

    I leave on 9-9-2023 from SJPDP to someplace on the Atlantic Ocean. I'd love to participate in some AA Meetings along the way as it's a huge part of my spiritual life. I have some AA apps but wonder if anyone has any great recommendations? If you would like to stay anonymous, I understand! Buen...
  7. Vetzrah

    Any advice for when you want to quit?

    Hello again.. Thanks everyone for the help when I lost my shoes, had uncontrollable nose bleeds and was feeling socially anxious. Now I have a new problem, which is I want to go home but I also want to finish. I’m sure others have felt like this- the endless nights of only 4-5 hours of sleep...
  8. M

    Please talk me off the ledge

    Hey all, I just arrived in Leon this afternoon to begin my solo Camino and I’m really getting into my own head. Sitting here in my albergue I’ve become excessively anxious, lonely and depressed. I’m so afraid of what’s ahead of me. I’m worried about getting lost and whenever I don’t see a...
  9. Vetzrah

    Social anxiety

    Hello, I have a question about forming relationships/being more comfortable. I knew that I had moderate social anxiety when I flew to Europe but I assumed I would be fine, and for the most part I have been. However, when it has come to making friends or staying in hostels with people you meet...
  10. SantiagoCruzB

    How did you prepare your mind for the Camino?

    Do you even have to? What has been your experience? Surely walking for 30-40 days will have a toll on the mind as well. I will be doing my first Camino from October to November 2023. All inputs will be appreciated. Thanks.
  11. W

    LIVE from the Camino Struggling to continue

    Hello, I am currently about 12 days into my journey on the Camino Frances. The begining week was amazing, full of adrenaline, adventure, new people, beautiful places and i thought, this is the best thing I've ever done. Week 2 has been a struggle for me to even answer why am I doing this? I...
  12. Burton Axxe

    When do most pilgrims feel like quitting the Camino de Santiago?

    I’m pretty sure that at some point(s) many, if not most, pilgrims question what they are doing and consider the possibility of quitting. And I’m quite sure that I’ll experience that feeling when I do my first CF this spring. But I wonder where/when this tends to happen to most pilgrims? Is there...
  13. JustJack

    Things I fear

    It's been over 2 years since I stumbled across the Camino for the first time. Since then I've been captivated, and have spent countless hours researching, planning, and thinking about it, not to mention scheming ways to get away from work and family obligations for such an extended period. Now...
  14. F

    Dealing with PTSD on the Camino

    i have PTSD and recently finished the camino frances. i ended up paying to stay in private rooms and spent a great deal more money than i could comfortably afford, but did what i needed to do to make it through. there were many times in the albergues i could not sleep due to triggering aspects...
  15. E

    Suddenly feeling terrified

    So I leave for France tomorrow to start my Camino on September 9 and I'm suddenly feeling overwhelmed with fear. I was excited yesterday but now I can't answer why I am doing this and am feeling dread. Has anyone experienced this before leaving? I realize I'm headed into the total unknown, which...
  16. H

    LIVE from the Camino Losing motivation after believing you can finish

    Hello from Ponferrada. I’ve got ten days left on the CF. Only, I feel like I’m losing motivation? When I set out from SJPDP I was truly uncertain as to whether or not I was capable of walking the camino. I’m 70 pounds overweight and lead a sedentary life. Yet here I am, hundreds of kilometers...
  17. Lhollo

    Fears

    I may, or may not, head to SJPDP to walk the CF alone next week. I’ve posted about the complicated background to this in a previous thread. I’m still undecided. But three questions here… 1) Those of you who’ve previously walked caminos but with partners, or staying in private rooms rather...
  18. MaggieQYogini

    Experience of AA members on the Camino?

    [MODERATOR'S NOTE/ADDITION: This link may be helpful for people seeking AA support in Spain: https://www.aaspain.org/ ] _____________________________________________ I am an Alanon member and wonder if anyone who have walked the Camino Frances and also an AA member could be willing to share...
  19. legless

    Crisis of confidence

    Well, it was all going so well. 5 weeks to go, practical preparation is done, physical preparation is in hand but now I am freaking out about whether or not I can do it. The mental preparation is not going well. Who am I kidding? I'm a shy, grieving introvert - how the hell am I going to walk...
  20. Storyteller Matt

    I have lost myself

    I finished the Camino Frances in October 2021. It was a calling I had to fulfill, ever since I dipped my toe in the Camino in 2018 (where I started in Sarria and made a fool of myself). This time, I completed... the best thing I have ever done. Now I am home. This is where everyone says the...

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