on being a pilgrim

Deciding to walk the Camino has changed my life already in ways i have difficulty explaining. i have more energy. I’m waking up earlier. Doing more every day. Feeling like there is purpose to my life that I think I had given up on having. And more...

People want to talk about, and I’m not sure what to say. I decided on a whim. I think that emotionally I need a symbolic thing that will show that I am changing my life. Being diagnosed with cancer created hopeless feelings in me, about all the things I could not do. All the life changes I would have to make. I allowed it to make too many of my decisions for me.... I’m finding already that I feel differently. That I have more hope, more energy, more of a life. The symbolism of walking, of going on pilgrimage is changing how I feel about my cancer, and how I feel about my life. 

I’m trying to plan what to take.... just not sure yet.

I’m also trying to plan how to do my kickstarter. I’m working on what to my patrons for various levels of support. Do you have any suggestions? My thoughts so far:

1.     A rock from the Camino (it’ll be small)

2.     Postcards from the walk

3.     Personal letters in persona from the walk

4.     Carrying tokens (that don’t weight much) for other people on the walk and leaving them in towns along the way… (I’m thinking maybe I’ll carry an item  for $1/mile—that would mean I’d carry an item all the way for $500)

5.     Bringing said token back (for another $500)

6.     I’m going to take apart one of the outer dresses and make it into pilgrim pouches to gift to patrons

7.     I’m going to do the kickstarter to create an ebook about my experiences both in persona and not—some patrons will receive free ebooks

8.     Access to a “private” blog