Dealing with Burnout on (and off) the Camino

Burnout on the Camino doesn’t fit the romantic notion we all contribute to the Camino de Santiago. But many pilgrims do suffer burnout somewhere along the way. We even experience burnout when preparing to go on pilgrimage. And I am very experienced in both.

With no set dates, or flights booked, it is really hard to stay motivated to train for a Camino that may or may not happen (even more so now with Covid19). Life is busy – we all know that. And trying to keep up the kilometres while maintaining a full-time job and everything else life throws at you is exhausting.

Likewise on the Camino, you will reach a day when another step is unfathomable. You are broken. You are burnt out. You are thinking of quitting. This is the reality of the Camino. For me it was Day 5 (approximately 7 kilometres from Estrella). I was done.

How do we beat burnout on the Camino?

On the Camino, I was ready to quit. But the reality of quitting the Camino is that you need to get to a larger town to leave. For me, that town would be Estrella. The very destination I couldn’t mentally contemplate reaching that fateful Day 5. So after an hour or so crying in the fetal position on the side of the way, I picked up my myself and my pack and shuffled one foot at a time the remaining 7 kilometres.

But that was not the end of it. After checking into the Municipal Albergue, I spent the next couple of hours crying in the shower, on my bunk, and finally on the phone to my mum. Yes. I called my mummy.

Which brings us to Step One on how to beat Camino Burnout.

Step One: Talk about it

What mum did for me that day couldn’t be described any less than “she talked me down off the ledge.”

I don’t even know what time it was for her in Australia… but I called and she answered.

Not only did she answer, but she was one person I was comfortable enough with to share my camino failings. As that’s how I felt. I had failed. I had obsessed about the camino for 18 months and couldn’t even last a full week. How pathetic. So call your person.

But talking about something that is causing your burnout and slump is the first stage in moving through and passed it.

I was in physical, mental and emotional pain. Mum (legend that she is) patiently listened as I pitched my case for quitting (which let’s face it was pretty light on legitimate reasons). But what it did result in, was self realisation. I subconsciously was countering all of my reasons to quit with more legitimate reasons to stay (backed by mum’s responses). I realised how important continuing was to me and how much I would regret quitting.

When I was done complaining and realised I wanted to, and could, continue… it was mum’s turn to talk. And she helped me come up with a plan.

Step Two: Make a plan

What are you struggling with the most? It’s a question that you should always start with. On the Camino, I was struggling with trying to keep up with my fellow pilgrims as well as the additional weight I was carrying.

Entering the Camino I was desperate for a Camino family, one of those groups that make you all warm and fuzzy. But in my hopes of being part of one, I was walking at a pace well beyond my comfort and fitness levels. And it burnt me out! I had to accept that I needed to slow down, and trust the Camino would provide the right people who walked the right pace for me. And guess what? I found them. In Estrella! But that’s another story.

So my plan was simple. Slow down. Slowing down has it’s perks too, it allows you to absorb in more of the country side, take breaks when you need them, and let the Camino soak deep into your soul.

Now to tackle the weight issues…

As I had been backpacking around Europe before starting my Camino, I was carrying an extra 6kg of clothes and gear that I did not need. Before starting the Camino, I had planned to ship the extra things to a hostel in Madrid as soon as I entered Spain (as cheaper within country). However, I did not count on many of the small villages having no postal service or closures during siesta and on weekends. So I got stuck carrying my extra gear a lot longer than planned.

So I came up with a Plan B (well mum did). I mustered up all my Spanish and arranged my bag to be shipped ahead of me each day until I reached Logroño, where I would be finally able to send it off to Madrid. But what to do with my daily luggage needs? I headed into Estrella’s shopping precinct with fellow Pilgrims and bought myself a small backpack.

It was that simple. A two step plan. The plan also gave me time to eat better, sleep better, and really experience the people and places along the way. By the time I got to Logroño, I was out of my burnout slump and ready for what the Camino would bring each day.

Step Three: Be Flexible

Remember it’s not the end of the world.

Sticking to a plan which is unrealistic and beyond your fitness and comfort levels will lead you to not only burnout like I did, but it will lead to a miserable Camino experience too. Leave room to be spontaneous, let the Camino embrace you and take you on a journey at your own speed.

If you’re worried that your slower pace will prevent you finding a bed, book ahead. If you need a break, take one. If you need a rest day, do it. If you run out of time, plan to return another year.

The Camino will always be there, and will continue with you every day for the rest of your life.

How do we beat burnout when preparing for the Camino?

You’ve guessed it! We pretty much follow the above steps, with a fourth: Inspiration.

Nothing beats a training slump than inspiration to get us motivated again. Join Camino forums, watch movies and documentaries, read books and most of all make training fun.

There is no shame in taking days off.

Do you have any tips on beating burnout on and off the camino? I would love to hear them in the comments below.