As we live and as we are, Simplicity – with a capital “S” is difficult to comprehend nowadays…Life is a more complex struggle now. It is now valiant to be simple, a courageous thing to even want to be simple. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

One of the pleasant surprises encountered on my trek along the Camino was the simplicity of each day. In some ways it was like Groundhog Day doing the same thing day after day: get up, drink coffee, read, meditate, journal or draw, eat breakfast, prep for walking then walk. It was a mindless routine, one that Dana and I slipped into easily. Our days were divided into three distinct segments – getting ready to walk, walking, and recovering from walking. As we began our Camino each day we would sometimes talk about what we had read or written that morning, but often we fell into a comfortable silence as we walked side-by-side. Sometimes we would stop for lunch, but more often than not, we kept walking, pausing to take in a view or rest our feet, snacking on dried fruit and nuts throughout the day.

Arriving at our destination we’d wander through town in search of our hotel for the night. This often proved to be the most challenging navigation we encountered all day but once we found our accommodations we picked up our twin red bags from the front desk and headed to our room. Showers, foot care, calls home, and lounging on our beds took all the energy we could muster before our late evening meal. Then it was off to bed. The next morning we’d, “get up and do it all again”, as Jackson Brown so aptly quipped in his memorable song. This may not sound very exciting and even a bit mundane, but the uncomplicated routine of our days gave us the freedom we needed to be in the present moment, not worrying about tomorrow or stewing about yesterday.

The simple daily structure created a cocoon-like bubble with no concern for anything other than what was right in front of me. I noticed that as my outside world simplified my insides naturally settled down too. I was so immersed in my experience I often forgot where I’d been the day before. There’s lightness to traveling through life without the burden of yesterday or the fear of tomorrow. Granted, I knew this would be difficult to maintain once I got back home but it sure felt good to experience it for the few days I walked the Camino – I at least knew it was possible. Talking to other pilgrims, they described a similar experience of forgetfulness and being in a dream-like state. I wish I could bottle the feeling I had while being on the Camino, but sometimes just remembering is enough to calm me down and remind me to simplify my day.

Questions: What would simplifying look like to you? Is there a place in your home that feels serene and uncomplicated?