With the days ticking down before I begin the Camino, my packing list is mostly complete.
Gear has been tested.
Layers chosen.
Weight reduced.
Logistics double-checked.
But in these final moments of preparation, I’ve realized something deeper:
Some of the most important things I’m bringing don’t fit in my backpack at all.
What Can’t Be Packed — But Must Be Carried
No checklist or packing cube can contain them.
But they’re every bit as necessary — maybe even more so.
- Gratitude for those who’ve supported this journey.
- Forgiveness for what’s still lingering on my soul.
- Openness to the unknown blessings — and challenges — ahead.
- Presence to each step, each moment, each holy interruption.
These are the intangible things.
Pilgrimage Is Interior Work, Too
Yes, the Camino is physical.
You walk. You sweat. You ache.
But it’s also deeply spiritual.
And if I want to walk this road well, I can’t be carrying resentment.
I can’t be consumed by anxiety or distracted by cluttered thoughts.
So I’ve started asking myself:
- What do I need to lay down before I go?
- Who do I need to bless or forgive?
- What gratitude have I not yet named?
It’s not just about traveling light — it’s about traveling free.
The Invitation
Whether you’re walking the Camino or simply preparing for a new season in your life, ask yourself:
What are you packing that doesn’t weigh anything — but will shape everything?
What are you choosing to carry — on your back, yes, but also in your heart?
Let it be love.
Let it be peace.
Let it be trust in the One who walks beside you.
A Pilgrim’s Prayer for Packing Light in Spirit
God of the long road and the light pack,
As I prepare to walk, help me lay down what I no longer need —
the weight of worry,
the burden of regret,
the heaviness of things I cannot control.
Instead, help me carry what cannot be packed:
Gratitude,
Mercy,
Peace,
An open heart.
Teach me to walk freely and faithfully.
Let every step be guided not by burden,
but by grace.
Amen.
Thank you for walking with me, body and spirit.