How to Walk the Camino as an Introvert: Finding Solitude and Connection

Meditations: Letters from The Way

Dear Gerrit/@storiestellr,

I'm an introvert about to start the Camino, worried that I might struggle to find my place among more outgoing pilgrims. I'm anxious about being an introvert in a potentially extroverted environment.

How do you suggest I navigate these social dynamics while staying true to myself, and without feeling overwhelmed by the social aspects of the journey??

Sarah, from New Zealand

Dear Sarah,

your question touches something I've experienced myself—the fear of solitude, the yearning for connection, and the delicate balance between these two forces that define our humanity. As you prepare for the Camino de Santiago, I imagine you standing at the threshold of a great unknown, your heart heavy with questions about belonging and identity. I recognize this feeling; it is the quiet ache of being human.

The Camino, I believe, is a mirror—a path that reflects back to us who we truly are. For an introvert, it offers both challenge and sanctuary. The solitude of walking alone can be profound, a space where your thoughts unfurl like banners in the wind, revealing truths you may have kept hidden even from yourself. Yet, this long walk also invites communion—a mingling together of lives, often in ways unexpected and fleeting.

The Camino, for all its communal aspects, also offers moments of profound solitude, if you know where to look.

Rise early. Slip out of the albergue before the rustle of early risers fully takes hold. Walk in the cool, dim light of dawn, the stars still faintly visible in the pre-dawn sky. In these moments, the Camino belongs to you alone. The silence is your companion, your confidante. The rhythm of your breath and the thud of your boots on the path become a meditative mantra, drawing you inward.

Or walk late. I found that after around 4 pm, the Camino is well and truly yours alone (ok—almost).

Dare a night walk.

Even during the busier parts of the day, you can find pockets of solitude. Allow yourself to fall behind the larger groups. Find a quiet spot by a stream to rest and reflect. Observe the world around you—the intricate patterns of a leaf, the flight of a bird—these small moments of focused attention can be a form of meditation, creating a sense of inner peace amidst the external activity.

Your introverted nature is not a barrier to experiencing the Camino fully, Sarah. It is simply a different way of engaging with it. You will find that your inner world and the outer landscape can exist in beautiful harmony.

you will never walk alone… (unless you want to)

You may find that connection on the Camino does not demand extroversion or performance. It is born in shared silences during sunrise at the Iron Cross, or during a long, desolate stretch across the Meseta, walked together, yet yards apart. These moments are small but sacred; they transcend words and dissolve barriers. You will discover that belonging is not about fitting in—it is about showing up as you are, with your quiet courage and open heart.

Remember that every pilgrim walks their own journey. Some walk in groups; others walk alone. Some seek answers; others seek escape. But all are bound by the same road and the same moon. You are never truly alone on the Camino—not in spirit nor in companionship.

Sarah: you will enjoy your Camino, whether alone, or in company—and that is a promise.

Buen Camino,

Gerrit

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