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The Comfort Zone

Camino Cleanup Program & Retreat
Join Camino Cleanup: Logroño to Burgos May 2025 and Astorga to O'Cebreiro in June.
I have to confess that I am still getting the hang of this whole posting thing

While this is not a bad picture and if taken in context with the title of the thread, if kind of fits. However that was not my intent.

It is a common theme with many life style platforms about taking yourself out of your "comfort zone". In fact if you are on LinkedIn, this pops up at least 2 or 3 times a day. I appreciate that this may not be a LinkedIn crowd though there is no reason it may not be.

While this is a rambling and unnecessary intro, my point, when I finally get to it is this, does taking yourself out of your comfort zone reinforce the values and life that you presently live, post and pre camino, or does it truly lead you to life changing and momentous decisions that reverberate through your life going forward?

I appreciate that there will be many "it's made me kinder, more spiritual and nicer to kittens" but I'm not talking about that. I'm also not talking about coming home, getting divorced or buying that snappy Prius".

What I am asking whether there were profound tangible changes or directions in your life that you took directly relatable to your experience on the Camino(s)?

In my case, I went to Paris and spent 4 years getting my doctorate (that whole bucket list thing) and writing a whole lot of bad books.

And yes, I know we all have different responsibilities and resources but it doesn't mean that we aren't inspired to do new things within the confines of these realities, that change our lives and those around us which we wouldn't have done unless the spark was ignited on the Camino.

Just asking -
 
The biggest change or direction for me is that I immediately became addicted to walking the Camino and plan to do it every year as long as my feet will allow me. I found this Camino Forum (aka Caminoholics Anon) and find myself checking it every day. I have made life long friendships with people from other countries.

My non Camino participating friends have no understanding of this experience. This causes me to count the days until I can get back there. I look forward to staying with many of the hosts that I have come to know over the years.

Do I feel like I am a better person because of all these experiences? You betcha ! Do I have any regrets? Only wish that I was younger.

Buen Camino
 
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Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I don’t believe it related to “being out of my comfort zone”... there are many things in life that I’ve found far less comfortable and less profound-like presenting to groups of 100 plus angry building owners.

But in taking on something that was a challenge and successfully completing it did give me all kinds of personal positives, like reminding myself that I have agency in my life and can effect change. I also learned (relearned?) to trust my own judgement and to stop with the stupid comparisons to other people. I am me, it’s my camino, it’s my life and I can choose the path that is appropriate for me. Helped me to get over a really bad case of defensiveness. Or at least mostly get over a chronic case of defensiveness

Anyways all that learning meant I quit my career of 10 years to try something very different; discovered over 4 months that working in the nonprofit sector wasn’t a good fit; changed jobs again, and applied to grad school to pursue my dream of becoming an architect. Oh and became an officiant for weddings, funerals and baby blessings as have done three memo

All this in the 16 months after the Camino. I’ve been busy.
 
I am a bit older than you, way back then we used Coke to remove the rust from the chrome on our car bumpers and to open the kitchen drains. Comfort Zone? Try switching to Estrella Galicia and forget the Coke!
 
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Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
scruffy1 said:
I am a bit older than you, way back then we used Coke to remove the rust from the chrome on our car bumpers and to open the kitchen drains. Comfort Zone? Try switching to Estrella Galicia and forget the Coke!View attachment 51968
Click to expand...
Hi Scruffy - while I appreciate the whole "senior" perspective, I do know that we are a lot closer in age though I do agree with the whole beer thing. That being said, you and i met on the Camino Portuguese, just after the bridge coming into Spain. For some reason, I tend to remember those that adopt a certain moneclature to define themselves. Take care.
 
 
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
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