The Inspiration – Date 4/8/2025

About 10 years ago I heard of the Camino trail in Spain for the first time.  A woman in a class I was taking took 2 weeks off from work and did it.  I was amazed and inspired.  She did it by herself and I thought f she can do it, so can I.  “Some day.”

I carry my bucket list in my checkbook.  It’s on an index card.  I don’t carry my checkbook around with me daily like I used to but I can always find my bucket list.  I added “Camino trail” to my list and look at it periodically along with my other items.  Most of them are traveling items but I knew the Camino would be more than just a trip.  For one, I am not a hiker so I knew I would need to prepare.  I also knew I would want to do the entire trail so it’s a big undertaking.

I recently quit my career and many ask if I am retired.  I don’t say yes.  I am between gigs as I like to think of it.  It is the first time in my life I haven’t had a job so that is a new experience for me.   I didn’t just quit on a whim but after much thought and prayer.  I needed to quit for my health.  I was under a large amount of stress and my home was not a sanctuary for me.  As an introvert, I need that time away from the world to recharge.  And I wasn’t able to find it even in my home.  Three health issues got my attention.  The one that sealed it for me was getting shingles which can be brought on by stress.  I thought geez I only have one life and I firmly believe no one sits on their death bed thinking “if only I had worked more”.  So I took the plunge and quit.

It took about a month just to come down off the high stress but I knew it would take work to reclaim my serenity.  I could tell I was very distracted which is always a sign when I am stressed.  My inability to stay focused has become a friend to me. . . a friend that puts their arm around my shoulders and tells me it is time to pay attention and begin the self-care.  That is also when the Camino also tapped me on the shoulder saying “Hey, remember me?  Now you’ve got the time.”  I thought well I’m not getting any younger so maybe now is the time to do it.  I knew I wanted to do it solo but I still couldn’t commit.  I am a dip-the-toe-in kind of gal.  The shoulder tapping and toe dipping were upon me but I continued with my life.  Focus on reclaiming my serenity.  Get my home in order.