Lessons from my 1000km Journey - What did my Camino teach me?

As my Europe trip comes to a close, I’ll take you through my entire journey, including a special tour of the Camino. I'll share not only the good but also the bad - from the moments that made me smile and those that tested my resilience. Are you curious if I successfully recovered from burnout by walking 1000 km? In this video, I will reflect on this very personal adventure while sharing the profound lessons that my Camino taught me.
🎞️Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:27 Why did I walk the Camino?
2:55 Rest is part of the process
3:11 My Camino Journey this Year
3:15 When did I start My Camino?
3:50 The End of My First Week of Walking
4:06 Learning to Let go
4:12 The Bad and the Good
5:10 My Goal was Resetting
5:27 Walking 1000 kms in 6 weeks?
6:10 Giving my brain a break
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👋Welcome to Autism From The Inside!!!
If you're autistic or think you or someone you love might be on the autism spectrum, this channel is for you!
I'm Paul Micallef, and I discovered my own autism at age 30.
Yes, I know, I don't look autistic. That's exactly why I started this channel in the first place because if I didn't show you, you would never know.
Autism affects many (if not all!) aspects of our lives, so on this channel, I want to show you what Autism looks like in real people and give you some insight into what's happening for us on the inside. We'll break down myths and misconceptions, discuss how to embrace autism and live well, and share what it's like to be an autistic person.
Join me as I share what I've found along my journey, so you don't have to learn it the hard way.
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➡️️ / @autismfromtheinside
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Peace,
~ Paul
#autism #asd #autismawareness

[@kayjay-kreations]

There is no way I could do this id love to but wouldn't have the Executive function to plan for it or even know how to buy a plane ticket I am happy to be alone at home but wouldn't feel safe alone in a foreign country. Kudos to you. Welcome home.

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

coping's differing impacts on folks is so unjust

[@theonetrueslinkydoo]

What a lovely video; I struggle with burnout too. I work in a corporate environment (not the most friendly for autistics 😞) and you are totally right about the executive overload. I hope you Continue to find peace. Sending hugs ❤️

[@PencopiaPictorial]

When I first went to Scotland, I felt very out of place but as the days went by, I absorbed my surrounds. The scenery, the houses, the lifestyle, the food especially. It is a country I felt very comfortable in and safe. Feeling safe is very important to me. In the highlands it got better. Less people, more open spaces, access to bus or train to go from town to town. And those ppl lnow how to manage work/life balance. They dont stay open late unless its a restaurant or pub. There are no “24 hr” shops or stores. In the evening its very quiet; peaceful. It would be my first choice if I ever wants to put down roots in another country. Looking back a the photos I took is always calming as I remember my experiences. The photos and videos in this post are great. I love your interactions with the kitten. They are so fun. Sorry to hear about your stomach issues. Don’t ever go to India to recharge/reset just for that reason alone. Im glad you are having this time for your wellbeing. If you ever have doubts about being in a particular place and not being near your mile marker goal, just take that moment to breath, close your eyes, listen to the sounds around you and be reminded that this life is too short to worry when you are in a beautiful country that is at your fingertips to enjoy. And we here can enjoy your journey with you.

[@Catlily5]

I had no major stomach problems in India the 3 months I was there. As long as I ate chili 🌶️. Also I ate vegetarian only when I was there.

[@JM-im7tc]

How wonderful! Well done on a great decision! 🎒🏆🥾

[@roxanes43]

Thank you for sharing the gift of taking a break.😊

[@wetboy72]

Thank you. I’ve been struggling with burnout. I was diagnosed three years ago at 47. In May of this year I caught covid, which was a turning point. It was the first time, I actually accepted my diagnosis. Since then I have been in recovery, I have taken a break from my hobby, I’ve learned that I need to rest and just take time for me.

[@heartofpuregold]

Thats fantastic well done for total health and fitness and God bless you

[@looplop]

I moved to the Canary Islands, it’s changing my life! It’s so much more calm, anyone should try it out!

[@PeteLewisWoodwork]

Whether you made it or didn't is not important. What is important is that you had a go and as long as you feel better for having done so, that is all that counts. It seems that a lot of good experiences were shared in your videos along the way, so it must be a positive, overall. Listen; nothing ever goes perfectly, there are always bumps in the road and those who expect perfection are setting themselves up for disappointment. I compare life to riding the waves; either clinging on in emergency to the choppy seas or bobbing up and down gracefully on a calm ocean.

[@phaedracannon6662]

Walking the Camino was my life saver

[@restorative-waves]

This was really cool to watch and listen to! It's one of those things that really inspires me, and I love that you chose this as a start to your break, and the fact that it reset your mind. I hope you have a nice rest of your time off, no matter how you spend it. I've recently been on sick leave (more like chronic pain/burnout leave) for 6 months, it was longer than I intended but thank God I received some help through it. I can definitely see the value of this Camino journey for you or something like it, for anyone out there. Again - so cool! Keep taking care of yourself!

[@patrickt.6492]

Walking and seeing the world is good for you.

[@mikicionekk3554]

I live in Poland and I visited a city Toruń in nothern Poland in July. There is a beautiful gothic Old City there, including a house were Copernicus was born, BUT it turned out it's also on Camino route! When I saw Camino's shell on one of the churches (St Jacob, I suppose ;) ) I immediately thought about you!!

[@brianbyrd3903]

Sounds like a great time. Its the journey that counts, not the destination.

[@ThroughTheLensOfAutism]

I plan on walking the Camino de Santiago in April of next year, I also find it psychologically difficult to rest, at least for a significant period of time.

[@autitrain]

The "I didn't finish" makes me think about we are allowed to say "I don't know" and at the end "no". Its the same general process. We dont have to finish, to know everything, to do it and so on. We have to listen to ourselves to our mental health and our body to be in good health.

[@morothar_loki]

I'm so impressed! Taking a break of several months, out of home, far away from the routines. I would be scared, but I also wouldn't know how to even allow that to happen. A break like that would make so much of my life just fall apart. It seems impossible.

[@robertabel2625]

When you announced that you would be doing this a few months ago, I had already been considering my own pilgrimage for months. I finally pulled the trigger myself, and I did the Camino Frances in June and July. It was the best month and a half of my entire life. Thank you so much for all your work, and for motivating me to take this time for myself too! Buen camino!

[@5heinens]

So thankful that you chose to share this journey with us. I would,love to hear a few months down the road, how effective the 4 months or 900k was or how long it lasted. And also, and more import, I’d love to hear what you plan to implement to avoid or lessen or delay future burnout. I am thinking recognizing some signs and perhaps addressing them asap…. Please share. My husband is in a horrible state right now and your videos have been so helpful for me in keeping my empathy and supporting or helping him.

[@briena8881]

What I learned from the Camino de Santiago: It's a fairy tale. I walked several parts of the Camino de Santiago - the passage through the pyrenees, passages along the beach (north route), the last 100 km, as I wanted to "finish". Especially the last bit was hard for me, because the way was so crowded. On one day, I walked 43km a day, the next day I could only make 18km. I felt like I needed to push myself to get it done, but I didn't enjoy it. It was walking on streets most times, either lonely in a weird way (coastal routes) or annoyed of all the people. I remember one day in particular where I walked past a huge prison complex. First up a hill, seeing it and walking slowly towards, then alongside it. Before, I hiked a German trail called Westweg to train for the Camino. That was nearly all the time pure nature, peaceful loneliness. Probably my mistake, because I thought the Camino would be the same, as all these people going there to find themselves, to be more spiritual or something like that. Looking back, I had a wrong idea of the Camino. It might be important for religious people. But for people who need nature to be at rest, I wouldn't advice the Camino. Also, all those people, who kind of connected with each other but I didn't, it made me feel even more disconnected. On the way there and back, I drove past the "Picos de Europa" - I guess I would have been better of hiking there. What a beautiful landscape. Interesting to see Paul made so different experiences with the Camino. I definitely agree with what he experienced this time.

[@gijsmedendorp2971]

I respect you so much for not finishing!! I did the camino this year (best trip ever, indeed: the simplicity!). The pull towards Santiago is strong and to allow yourself to not finish is really an accomplishment by itself. Massive respect. They say the camino provides. It will provide whatever it is you need (if you listen). P.s. love your videos on autism ❤

[@sean..L]

2 years ago I went on a 130 km pilgrimage with my brother and it was a very beneficial experience. Walking 20- 30 km every day really puts you in the world.

[@wickedwest89]

Wishing you all the best in this journey!

[@SILVIATHEGIRLS]

It feels so familiar and strange at the same time to see the same places I walked through over 10 year ago. I felt the same emotions ❤ sometimes very lonely and other times I met the most beautiful human beings on the planet ! ❤ Thanks Paul, for making this video ❤

[@moonpearl4736]

My food friend, who recently passed way, did the Camino and it was one of the highlights of his life. I went vicariously through Facebook.

[@aurelienyonrac]

Thank you brother❤ You made the right choice.

[@OperationDarkside]

Although involuntarily, I'm doing something a bit similar atm. Due to organizational changes at work, more self-management and less oversight, my mental overload became unbearable. I'm on sick leave for over half a year now, but instead of the unhealthy routine of switching from my work computer to my home computer I do garden work and started wood working as a hobby. As you said, it doesn't matter what day of the week it is. Except for Sunday, because sawing makes a lot of noise and I can't go grocery shopping. I exclusively use hand tools, which takes more time and muscle, but I have enough of the former and the latter builds over time. Having this steady routine of getting up, eating, digesting, 2-4 hours of mixed work outside on projects I pick myself and resting for the rest of the day, is really patching up old wounds, that never really had time to heal. Beind away from my toxic family since my move is a big factor too.

[@RawrTilUsDeath]

Congratulations on such a big hike ❤ this video came at the right time to motivate me. Today was the first real walk I had in months 😅and it was only 1 mile 😂

[@heathermalone]

Paul, you are amazing, this was so great to see and remember! ☺ I hope you have time to transfer what you've learnt to your normal life. I do hope this break has helped with the burnout. It is so hard to gauge how much time we will need in advance to recover (took me 2 years to get over the worst of it). Walking the Camino is certainly one of the most interesting methods of recovery I've come across!! I can definitely see the benefits of simplifying life and nurturing a more intuitive flow and rhythm. I feel I am working on this too. And making rest part of the process - YES! Perhaps even - making boredom a part of the process? Or having nothing to do? There has to be a way of doing this in everyday life as well. There has to be a way of incorporating this even if we are being hyper-productive. We need breathing space - time to just sit in the sun (or the shade for me, haha). I really like that idea. We also need to be able to say when we've done enough, especially when things have been challenging, and have faith that our true goals and the most important things will still be accomplished. I admire how you took a step back before the final stretch and reflected on whether you could make it to Santiago. It would have been so tempting just to blaze ahead anyway. I have often overcommitted myself in this way (and, like you say, sometimes it's not that we CAN'T do it - but do we really NEED to?) We are allowed to look after ourselves. We are allowed to say no and change our plans. We are allowed to need others. It seemed like sometimes it was nice to be alone on the Camino, and sometimes it was the company that made the experience worthwhile, but being forced into either situation was difficult? These are basic human needs, but perhaps for autistic people it can be an extra challenge to really find systems and strategies that work with our brains.. I pray we all find the support we need in order to do this. I love seeing your journey, Paul, thankyou so much for sharing! 💛

[@wiglafthegrnlander4757]

Good on you for knowing your limit, I tried to walk St Olavsleden in July 2022, I made a few of big mistakes, and had to quit 60km in. It was the right decision, I was able to take trains to the sites I wanted to see.

[@SECO0]

I fear my burnout, I took a break after finishing college in the end of May.... and I see no end, I still feel completely overwhelmed and exhausted

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

Education loads are evil and have to be allowed to end permanently. Since the abuse that greedy exploitative teachers gave me a breakdown when I was still compulsory school age, I am for life too anxious ever to touch any tested or qualification-goaled education course ever again. For life. Full stop. No recovery. Kept to this line for 39 years. Nobody else's achievements tempt me a shred because to try to copy them would always be failable, and everyone I've met who completed uni was burnt out by their thesis.

[@lindaT82]

Enjoyed all the videos, thank you. What a beautiful adventure. Reminds me "life is a journey, not a destination" Ralph Waldo Emerson

[@marthamurphy3913]

I admire you for doing the camino. My sister has done three now, I think. Two in France and one in Spain. I'm a bit envious. I was wondering whether you ever watch Orion Kelly and whether you have comments on his relationship advice.

[@JamesPeters68]

I hiked Wainwright's Coast to Coast last year. Due to the popularity of the trail, everything generally has to be booked in advance, and it's not possible to change your schedule. I setup a pace that was a little to much for me and had to take a cab for a 12 mile stretch one day. It was disappointing to not finish in earnest, but it was nice to get in early and have a chance to explore the town for once.

[@danishbutter1847]

Im about to do another mile run in my local area this Friday like i did last week since it's something i promised myself to do at least once a week to get my body right and off other things in my mind from time to time.

[@gloriarourajaulin5748]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. It made me think of when I was in my thirties and my husband and I used to go on bike trips. I really enjoyed it, I mean I remember feeling better than when we visited cities, although I also like it a lot, and maybe it's because we follow this routine. I would also like to know how you felt about the contact with people along the camino. I think that despite trying to talk I would feel isolated...but I understand that walking this may not be so important...

[@IrritatedGnome]

Did>teach has>taught

[@morothar_loki]

My eyes teared up at "Rest... is part of the process". My AuDHD brain won't let me do that, ever... Even "rest" has to be doing something it seems... I don't know how to stop.

[@heathermalone]

The Camino Primitivo seems much harder than the Norte and the Norte seems harder than the Frances? Primitivo mountain views, Norte the ocean, Frances endless stretches of countryside.. I'm kind of fascinated to know which route you'd take if you walk it again in 10 years time! You were quite unlucky with all the rain this time, and the food poisoning. Also, BIG SMILE at 1:50 (cake guy) and 2:43 (kitten) and 5:03 (sunset) and 6:30 (stick dog) 💛💛💛 !!!

[@asmrlovely2491]

Iam a autism woman who is half spanish,living in germany. my family comes from galicia. My grandfather died last year. I have seen a lot of pilgrims walking from my grandparents houses over. My plan is to walk the camino. But iam afraid of it, thanks for ur insights.

[@aurelienyonrac]

Just do one step.❤ Then rest.

[@Uhfffyeah]

Make a list of what you need for the trip and learn how to defend yourself when needed. Prepare everything and be on your way. I don't think there will be a moment where you feel completel safe and ready, anxiety is normal when we are approaching a big journey with unknown factors. Take a leap of faith. Trust yourself and do your best ❤

[@AJansenNL]

Can you do it with someone else, someone you trust and can rely on?

[@sharonplunkett1578]

As an Autistic person I find myself feeling like I should be able to do more, after watching this. This has led to some negativity on my part, I can’t catch local transport alone or go for a coffee within my suburb. Going overseas, sleeping in dorms, eating with strangers and everyday something new ? How can someone on the spectrum when in meltdown mode, get their head together to leave the safety of their home ? Curious

[@arrown]

Pls fix title ;(

[@PrinceLucifer953]

I have autism and I am british I was wondering if you could make a discord so people with autism could talk together. I saw you have some links to twitter and Facebook. I personally don't like social media so I only use KZbin and Discord. Thank you for all the helpful information I hope you read my comment.

[@LukeSumIpsePatremTe]

Are you going to schedule some unplanned rest within your weeks from now on?

[@midwinter78]

900km in miles is 559 miles. So it's half of what the Proclaimers said they'd do. Would you walk 500 more?

[@MassMultiplayer]

health is primary - hard to ahve goal without it burn injury changed my life. now nutrition and fitness is priority, then morality, then "some money to do more than surviving" rest is optional (art drawing music philosophy psychologie gaming)

[@MassMultiplayer]

hwo to be, just be. rest. xD jain monk chanting vow nonstop "right speech right intention right meditation right action" but how? there is no how. just do it right. hehe "but you just meditating and chanting all your life? " yes. i dont need to walk on insect i eat the little rice im offered lol beast mode

[@joeshmoe7899]

Driving is better?

[@flummi6966]