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That will help! It can take a while to reconcile Camino/non-Camino. They are too different. Try to identify the things on the Camino that are different from life at home and incorporate them every day. For example, you probably approached pilgrims with little trepidation. You could do that because you knew you had something in common. Try that a bit more at home. Most people at home will not be approachable because you lack the same mutual objective, but don't give up the skill you developed while walking. People at home are not much different than from those on the Camino, but the setting is!!Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
Welcome to the club of addicts.Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
I know how you feel, I have been back for a year and all I can think about is going back on the CaminoSo me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
That will help! It can take a while to reconcile Camino/non-Camino. They are too different. Try to identify the things on the Camino that are different from life at home and incorporate them every day. For example, you probably approached pilgrims with little trepidation. You could do that because you knew you had something in common. Try that a bit more at home. Most people at home will not be approachable because you lack the same mutual objective, but don't give up the skill you developed while walking. People at home are not much different than from those on the Camino, but the setting is!!
The cure for all the negative feelings you have it to do it again,. perhaps a different route, or at a different time of year. But, you WILL be back.
@Caminolou , it sounds a really bumpy landing, but you are not alone. The camino of life is a challenge, and after coming home some people find that much of what used to matter seems hollow and empty, and there is much to miss.
Coming back to the Camino is a quick fix, but in the long run the task is not to throw out everyday life but to integrate what came from the camino into it. There are so many things that seem superficially different but are actually the same. We walk every day. We speak to strangers every day. It's the same blue sky above us and solid earth underfoot. @falcon269 's suggestions are great - and the onward journey for us all is to find our own way in to connecting with others from the heart and finding that camino feeling, at home. How can we be deeply ourselves, and deeply connected with those around us?
It's can be found, under all the distraction, and superficial busyness, and responsibilities....
Find ways to simply be present in a moment.
Reflect about what you miss and if you can bring that into your day to day life.
Go for long walks...alone or in company of others.
Find the friends you can really go deeply with, and do that.
If you have any way to connect with people you walked with, doing that helps.
And maybe your life needs some change or simplification. Reflect about what you deeply want and adjust as needed.
Use this Forum as a drop-in virtual albergue. Here you'll always be able to talk about the Camino!
I know how you feel, I have been back for a year and all I can think about is going back on the Camino
Welcome to the club of addicts.
"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."
[QUOTE="I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to process everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon"
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
I hear you-- it's a hard change back. Try to incorporate some of the things you valued on your Camino. For me, I've done a number of things: I go to mass more (I'm catholic), or stop by a church and light a candle and think of all the people who have been there before me, and who will come after. I try to walk more (for example, 10 km to church), I've gotten rid of stuff, I try not to spend thinking time on shopping. My next idea is to have people over for meals more often. I'm looking at Spring 2019 for next pilgrimage --somewhere on the Camino.
Welcome as it was said... to the Camino Family and Camino Addicts. A small word of advice, don't try or work to "process" the experience. Three years later we are still "processing" our first Camino because it was such an intense experience...a life changer. In less than a year(Oct.2019), after needed surgeries, we will be starting our third and longest Camino. The Camino Via de la Plata. Each Camino has taught us life lessons and not always the same but always for the better. So just relax and allow yourself to be absorbed by the Camino, every day comes with an epiphany.
Buen Camino and Welcome to the Family !!!
Where would you be if you had no more questions to ponder????
the Camino...it's all I think about. I think about it everyday. I watch youtube videos every day. I listen to "The Way" soundtrack every day...It's all I think about, so much so that I've thought about trying to buy an albuergue on the Camino, specifically in Foncebadon. That is one of my favorite places on this planet
[[Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. ]]
Bordeaux?
As every one says go back I went 2017 could not get it out of my head so back in 2018 could not get it out of my head so back I will go this coming April 2019 . This time with my daughter this will be a wonderful experience. but I live in New Zealand this is sending me broke. O well money is not everything but the Camino is. Good luck God bless.
Maybe we are reaching the point where we need to establish a Camino Addicts 'Commune' somewhere in Spain?
We could retire there from normal life and hang out talking Camino all day, having communal meals, and searching for the meaning of "Life, the Universe, and Everything".
And of course a few times a year we could don our packs and head off for another walk, thereby providing a 'top up' of Camino energy and lots more stories to be shared around the dinner table.........
Maybe this is a glimpse of.............Heaven
Or Hell..........depends who lives in the commune
Please add me to your list for the Comune I'm a starter,......
Once having taken that first step, the feeling Never leaves and so many of us become addicted forever..Not a bad such addiction either, I might addWelcome to the club of addicts.
"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."
There are worse addictions than the Camino.One having taken that first step, the feeling Never leaves and so many ofcus become addicted forever..Not a bad such addiction either, I might .
susanawee
Unfortunately would cost more more than I have ........maybe we could crowd fund.....There are a few complete 'Villages' for sale on or near the Camino Routes !
The Mother of all Albergues...........
Of course it is, because that's what brings us to the place where the heart is both open and resilient to the inevitable losses of life. No-one gets through life without dealing with loss, and we need to learn the heart skills of coping with that, with learning how to let things be as they are and to go with the flow.And then it ends. Like everything I guess. Makes me wonder if the way is worth the loss.....
Yes, there is. Which is why it's much harder. But it is do-able @Caminolou , and essential. And the here and now are the camino of life - that's the continuation of the camino you were walking. Here, in your life, not someplace else at some other time. It's a tough climb but you can do it. Ultreia, peregrino!But how? ... So much to take into account.
Let me know, maybe we can raise the money together. Its a no brainer with more arriving every year.....
Uh-huh. You do know that wherever you go, your 'stuff' - and your mind - goes with you, right?We could retire there from normal life and hang out talking Camino all day, having communal meals, and searching for the meaning of "Life, the Universe, and Everything".
And of course a few times a year we could don our packs and head off for another walk, thereby providing a 'top up' of Camino energy and lots more stories to be shared around the dinner table.........
Maybe this is a glimpse of.............Heaven
Unfortunately would cost more more than I have ........maybe we could crowd fund.....
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
it sounds a really bumpy landing, but you are not alone. The camino of life is a challenge, and after coming home some people find that much of what used to matter seems hollow and empty, and there is much to miss.
Use this Forum as a drop-in virtual albergue. Here you'll always be able to talk about the Camino!
I know how you feel, I have been back for a year and all I can think about is going back on the Camino ?
The connections made on the camino went way deeper. In many cases meeting oneanother again after the moment you where sure they where gone forever. Moments where you think its to much of a coincidence.
Something is guiding us.
And then it ends. Like everything I guess. Makes me wonder if the way is worth the loss.....
I too suffered severe Post Camino Blues.
I have found the most useful way for me personally is to virtually 'reinvent' myself from the person I was prior to my Camino to the person that I found myself to be on the Camino and Post Camino.
They are two different people and the latter is much more compassionate, caring, thoughtful and balanced person for sure.
As you've no doubt realised, what you are feeling is very common for those who really let go and immerse themselves in the Camino experience.
Perhaps the Camino is merely the door we pass through to enter the 'real' Camino. Our Life. Making our whole life better, happier. and more purposeful, based on our walks...
Once you wake up to some things, you never want to go back to sleep. The struggle is not a bad sign, but a yellow arrow pointing out of the conformity box.Think OUT of the box; Do NOT stay inside the box. You will be trapped and pushed into dull and ignorant conformity.
Be very aware. Walk.
Maybe we will meet arround that time
The Netherlands are so seculair its hard to find a church thats open. Im still trying to find some “religious” center that can tell me things about it. God, for the best part, left the Netherlands
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I felt much the same as you do after my first Camino in 2016; which was a life-changing experience for me.So me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
Thanks, you guys are the best. Lots to think about. Good to hear its common and I am not loosing my mind
And there are plenty of Dutch members here whom you can talk to in PM space, privately and unmoderated (not that any of the mods speak Dutch, mind you...Perhaps the Dutch Confraternity can help you?
You can find them at: www.santiago.nl
Best of luck. Buen camino!Thank you again for walking with me these days. I did contact them today and joined as a member. I also got in touch with their volunteering branch which pointed out some possibilities. Guess the camino is calling me because i got a volunteering job in Grado from 1 till the 15 of october next year. And with some luck and Gods help I will be back on trail in may.
Ill call arround on monday and emailed some others, hopefully I can get some work in september also and walk in between. I might be in for a long camino next year. Wish me luck
Caminolou,So me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
Maybe we will meet arround that time
The Netherlands are so seculair its hard to find a church thats open. Im still trying to find some “religious” center that can tell me things about it. God, for the best part, left the Netherlands
Hi, Alex from Norway. Sally from Arizona here.Welcome to the club of addicts.
"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."
So me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
So me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
HELLO! Nice to see you at this virtual albergue! And welcome to the latest addictHi, Alex from Norway. Sally from Arizona here.
Our paths crossed several times this past Oct. I am often finding myself having thoughts of returning for my second Camino.
...I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated...
[QUOTE="I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to process everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon"
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
Beautiful adviceI am so glad to read this thread now. I walked a little over a year ago. The past year has been... something different.
It seems like many people do learn something deep and profound about themselves-something not necessarily obvious (as in most pilgrims learn a deeper appreciation for simplicity) but something very personal. A revealed truth perhaps? Maybe just perspective on our own behaviour or self.
The challenge then becomes facing an old life with new self understanding. And that is painful! Or at least it was in my case.
I gave up a career and a dream because I realized that pursuing it was at the cost of my humanity and my best self. Many buckets of tears were cried.
I threw myself into different roles-some paid some volunteer. Not all of them worked - but I had the sense of perspective and self confidence I needed to rejoice in taking the risk and gracefully changing direction again, without feeling like a quitter or a looser. A year later I feel like I’ve just finished a year long Camino that didn’t involve walking... my next “Camino” probably won’t involve walking-rather going back to school to pursue a dream!
So my words of wisdom, let whatever lessons you learned along the way guide you into a new life. Be prepared for something’s to work and others not. And in the same way that things on the Camino don’t always go according to plan, accept and adapt.
Can you find a Taize group? Their values are similar to those on the Camino. I find reflection and stillness natural by waterfalls or by the lake or in a wooded area. I treasure the solitude and natural sounds.
Honey Bee
I have May 2019 pencilled in on my calendar to return.HELLO! Nice to see you at this virtual albergue! And welcome to the latest addict
I stopped in El Burgo Ranero this oct. Will return there to continue, just after next Easter for yet another Camino fix.
Caminoulou, Your heart knows what it really wants, just create enough time and space to listen to it <3So me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
"The heart has its reasons, of witch reason knows nothing about."Caminoulou, Your heart knows what it really wants, just create enough time and space to listen to it <3
I’ve been back a year and a half and there’s not a day go past that I don’t think of the CaminoSo me and a friend decided to walk the route Frances starting the 4th of september from st Jean. We all have our reasons I guess. Once we got to Bordeaux he turned arround and went back home. He gave me many reasons why since I came back but hey, he has been forgiven so I dont really care. It probably had to be. Kind of made the start a little rough but I never expected the journey to be easy.
I basically started walking with a guy I met on the train and so it went. Before I knew the camino got hold of me and I met loads of fantastic people all along. I had highs, lows, tears and lots of joy. There where days that i was wondering what the heck i was doing walking again and there were days that where like a dance in the sun. Well you all probably get the point
Once in Santiago I felt relief, thats it, I made it. But it was also the mere end of a great experience. I cant even explain the intense saddness that hit me. The first weeks at home I felt like crap. The constant flashbacks, the memories, i almost feel traumatized
I have been back for 2 months now and its still complicated. Like I am still trying to proces everything that went on but at times its just drowning me. Hopefully I will be back on the camino soon
All the best,
Louis (the Netherlands)
I guess I found what I was looking for this morning, thank you, I will try to take your advice.I hear you-- it's a hard change back. Try to incorporate some of the things you valued on your Camino. For me, I've done a number of things: I go to Mass more (I'm catholic), or stop by a church and light a candle and think of all the people who have been there before me, and who will come after. I try to walk more (for example, 10 km to church), I've gotten rid of stuff, I try not to spend thinking time on shopping. My next idea is to have people over for meals more often.
...and has no need to"The heart has its reasons, of witch reason knows nothing about."
I don't think there are many people that walk the Camino and quickly forget about it.
Camino Lou, you sound like a really nice person. It can happen again, even if it is not right away. I walked a year and a half ago. Everyday, I am plotting a return. I believe that it will happen and I look forward to meeting people along the way. Some of those I met last time, are still my friends. I write them and try to keep something alive, but we cannot write the future...I think that our continuing devotion will help guide us happilyI find that harder now.
Im an open type and connect to people easily, especially when wine is served with every mealThat saying I also suck at farewells, even when a kid I was always the one crying when my “holiday” friends had to go home
The connections made on the camino went way deeper. In many cases meeting oneanother again after the moment you where sure they where gone forever. Moments where you think its to much of a coincidence. Something is guiding us.
And then it ends. Like everything I guess. Makes me wonder if the way is worth the loss.....
Hi guys! Thank you so much for all your support and thoughts. It gave me a lot to think about, I did and acted upon things.
Most important of all, I realised thanks to you, I am still on the camino. It isnt gone the day you get home at all. Seeing that was a great feeling, like meeting friends on the camino again that you didn’t see in a week. Or in weeks, just that last day on the square in Santiago. You all have your examples.
I'm Australian & can echo the impact of the cost factor.As every one says go back I went 2017 could not get it out of my head so back in 2018 could not get it out of my head so back I will go this coming April 2019 . This time with my daughter this will be a wonderful experience. but I live in New Zealand this is sending me broke. O well money is not everything but the Camino is. Good luck God bless.
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