Even though I'm a slow pilgrim - almost a non-pilgrim, preferring to walk in the cool season and stay in private accommodation - something still worked for me. Over two trips, I went from Le Puy to Fisterra, and even walked to Tui and back from Santiago, but it was a very slack and slow affair. If I'd been refused a compostela, I would have understood perfectly and would not have cared much (though I think the pilgrim office is a wonderful institution).
Returning to Oz and the bush, I found that I was indeed making changes, uncluttering, accepting and doing a lot of those typically post-camino things. I also found that I wasn't forcing or rushing the changes - even better!
The most helpful approach for me has been to just do the walking, and not put myself in charge of any results or effects. Might seem silly, but it's better and easier to leave it to Saint James. Whether or not he existed, whether or not his remains are in Santiago, I try to leave it to Big Jim. My rational mind helps me fitfully with things like shoelaces and crossing roads, but it's never been enough. Not nearly enough.
