“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”
~ Rumi – 13th-century Persian poet and mystic
I never imagined walking 280 kilometres through Portugal and Spain would change how I see life, leadership, and myself. Saying yes to walking the Camino de Santiago from Porto, Portugal was an easy decision—travel, community, a physical challenge and time to reflect all in one. What I didn’t anticipate was how much the experience would give back.
The Camino offered me space to pause and consider what’s next: What do I want to offer and bring forward? Where do I want to slow down and savour life? What might my next chapter look like?
Each day began with a sense of possibility. The crashing of ocean waves along the Portuguese coast, the sunrise spilling across fields and villages, the rhythm of footsteps on ancient stone. It was humbling to think of the thousands of pilgrims who had walked these paths before us, each carrying their own story, question, or hope.
Here’s four lessons I took away from my recent Camino Walk.
Lesson 1: Strength Begins in the Mind
Training for the Camino came with its share of physical aches and worries. I’d been struggling with a stiff hip and sore foot for months. Would my body limit me? Take me down? I decided to leave the worrying and ‘what ifs’ behind because I was committed to challenge. Instead of focusing on potential limitations, I focused on how strong I was becoming each day. Interestingly, once on the trail, these physical concerns never even surfaced. My body showed up for me.
Each kilometre was a reminder that the body follows where the mind leads. We are often capable of far more than we believe when we shift our focus from fear to possibility. From limited to limitless. From past to present.
Where might fear of limitation be keeping you from discovering what you’re capable of?
Lesson 2: The Gift of Solitude
Halfway through the journey, I took half a day to walk alone. I am a social creature by nature, but I wanted to see what solitude might offer. It was peaceful and it offered clarity, gratitude, and inspiration. Walking on my own, I felt part of something far larger than myself; a living history of pilgrims who had walked this route for centuries. The sound of my poles clicking against the stone and my breathing became a steady rhythm. I embraced the stillness and timelessness of it all; my poles, my breath, and my shadow, three quiet witnesses to presence itself.
Solitude teaches presence. It reminds us that clarity often comes not from adding more, but from listening more deeply.
Where in your life do you need stillness to hear what’s underneath the noise?
Lesson 3: The Power of a Cohort
I walked with a group of twelve people, while some were familiar to me, many new to me. But the Camino has a way of transforming strangers into friends. Friends into a tight knit community. Each person brought something different: humour, wisdom, encouragement, music. We laughed, sang, made silly videos, and supported one another through every steep hill and long day.
It’s difficult to express the feeling as we reached our final destination, Santiago de Compostela. Walking in community to the square to witness the magnificence of the Cathedral, we shared the joy, pride, and emotion of a journey completed together.
That’s the power of a cohort: shared experience builds connection. Whether walking the Camino, learning with others or tackling a challenging project, when people come together with purpose and openness, something special happens. Trust builds. Conversations deepen. Joy multiplies.
What communities help you grow, learn, and stay connected to what matters most?
Lesson 4: The path reveals itself
The Camino was about walking the path and discovering the beauty of the journey itself. It’s uncertain. You don’t know what lies ahead or where the next turn leads, but you walk anyway.
Many people seek certainty before they begin the journey. “I want to make the right decision.” “I want to know if the risk is worth it.” But the only way we’ll find out is to make the decision or take the risk. The poet Antonia Machado says, “Caminante, no hay camino; se hace camino al andar.” Loosely translated: “Walker, there is no road; you make the road by walking.” The Camino is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out. The next step will appear when you take the one in front of you.
What step might you take today toward what’s calling you, even if the full path isn’t clear?
when the camino whispers
It’s been said that the Camino doesn’t change you; it reveals you. The journey is about connection, within yourself, with others, and with the world around you. You can walk alone, but you are never truly alone. It reminds us that we are all pilgrims in one way or another, navigating life’s uncertainty, finding our pace, and learning to trust the journey.
If the Camino has ever whispered to you, I encourage you to listen. And if something else is whispering—another experience, a project, a change—take the first step.
The path will meet you where you are.
Curious to explore your own journey? Visit inhabit.life for more on Travel Studies and the next Camino Walk. Interested in learning leadership skills with a cohort? Visit here.
