I’m turning 30 next week, and while it feels like this milestone has arrived far too quickly, I’m beginning to accept that my perception of time doesn’t always align with reality.
To welcome this new chapter on my own terms, I’ve decided to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to me: by walking the Portuguese Camino with four close friends—the same friends I trekked with a decade ago.
Back in April 2014, at 19 years old, my friend Robin and I set out on the adventure of a lifetime: the Camino de Santiago, an 800-kilometer journey across northern Spain, beginning on the French side of the Pyrenees. Along the way, we met the Camino Cowboys—Jordan, Jake, and Josh—who were making the pilgrimage to raise money for charity. We bonded, and we ended up walking over half of the trail together.
That journey profoundly shaped me, allowing me to grow in ways I never could have imagined. Anyone who knows me well knows that when I start talking about it, I often can't stop. And for good reason—this experience is something I’ll always treasure. It set a standard for meaningful travel that I may never surpass.
For me, the simplicity of carrying everything you own and covering as much ground as you choose each day was pure magic, though some might find it unappealing. I still describe it as the best travel experience of my life.
Sometimes, it’s the simplest experiences that linger the longest in our memories. Walking with all your belongings from day to day is an embodiment of that simplicity.
Thinking:
Walking across a country provides endless time to think. Being in new surroundings and observing everything fresh is a surprisingly meditative experience. Often, you find yourself not speaking much but simply observing and absorbing.
This process of absorbing helps the mind settle, and in turn, your thoughts become clearer. I met many people during my last trek who were walking to figure out the next steps in their lives. From experience, I can say it's a brilliant way to do just that.
You encounter people with different opinions, mindsets, and experiences, offering a range of perspectives. It helps untangle the knots in your mind and gradually unravel any confusion.
Observing:
Walking across a country is the most immersive way to experience it. You move through towns, villages, farms, and cities, witnessing firsthand how each location evolves and changes.
Some places are humble, with people leading simple, unassuming lives, while others feel like secluded retreats created for the privileged. Observing these contrasts broadens your perspective, deepening your understanding of the world and life itself.
As you see how locals live and interact with them, you begin to grasp the nuances of their daily lives. This exposure naturally leads to reflection, allowing you to compare their way of life with your own and inspiring you to consider what you might change or improve in your own life.
Connection:
When you walk for a month, you tend to walk with the same groups of people covering similar distances. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Camino de Santiago is the connections you make, many of which remain significant long after.
You learn a lot about people when you walk and talk with them for 8 hours a day. It’s like compressing a decade of friendship into a single month—a unique opportunity to connect deeply with others. Eventually, your walking group feels like an extended family.
Greetings:
On the Camino, you frequently pass or are passed by others, and each time, there’s an exchange of “Buen Camino,” meaning “Happy Trails” or “Good Walking.”
This is the opposite of my experience living in London, where people often avoid eye contact and rarely greet strangers. The trail taught me that our developed societies can sometimes feel cold and disconnected.
One of the greatest lessons I took away from the Camino is the simple joy of acknowledging others. Greeting a stranger with kindness can lift their spirits—and maybe even inspire them to do the same for someone else.
Meeting so many different people and talking about life, your views, and yourself is a great way to understand who you are and what you believe. Sometimes, you are challenged and forced to reassess your thoughts or the way you express them.
It's a fantastic confidence builder. You learn how to communicate and, over time, how people respond to you.
Being exposed to such a diverse range of people—young, old, wise, and smart—is incredibly impactful. It not only educates you but also helps you learn how to communicate more confidently and persuasively.
I am Will Flindall, host of the Valley of Outlaws Podcast where I speak to those who have decided to take control of their life and follow a passion or instinct.
If you feel like you could be getting more from your life, then maybe one of the conversations I’ve had with the Outlaws might help you kickstart a change.
Peace x
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