All that I carried
My recent Camino walk was the first time I carried all my belongings on my back the entire time. Apart from phone, passport and shoes, it’s remarkable (though not surprising) how little proved essential. I’m still integrating the experience, so meaning-making will come later. Maybe. For now, just observing.
What I didn’t end up needing:
Leggings, sun shirt, portable charger, 3-pronged charger wire thinggie, euro wall charger, K tape, extra contact lens case, shout wipes, gua sha, vinyl repair patch, KN95 mask, energy chews, gloves, that many electrolytes, that many snacks, that may ear plugs, nasal spray, tweezers, compression sock, mascara*, lipstick*, anxiety over leaving things behind, anxiety over being left behind, anxiety over getting injured, anxiety about bears*, anxiety about going hungry*, that many q-tips, pre-arranged reservations for every stop, that big of a backpack, tweezers, radical independence / self-sufficiency, lavender oil
*wish i was kidding
What I did need:
Shorts, hat, gratitude, 2 pairs of socks, 3 underwear, sunglasses, PJ pants, 2 tank tops (1 would have sufficed), t-shirt, soap (less though), toothbrush, curiosity, 1.5 travel-size toothpastes, comb, deep mindfulness, shampoo & conditioner, contacts, glasses, friendship, phone charger wire & plug, small euro adapter, eye mask, kindness, nail clippers, Compeed, vaseline, flexibility, self-compassion, sunscreen, trust, tote bag, flip flops, fleece
What I could have lived without but glad I had:
That big of a towel (+ the thinggie it folded into), neck gator / headband, rain gear, sleeping bag, looping thoughts, hiking pants, tiny piece of jet, tiny heart-shaped pebble, headphones, Kindle, vitamin C, tiny scissors, 2 clothes pins, old wounds, long sleeve shirt
What would have been nice that I didn’t have:
Maybe one more pair of socks
What I needed and didn’t have:
And you?
What are you carrying through this day, through this life, that you actually may not need?
