Discovering Love and Healing: My El Camino Journey for Mental Health and an Unexpected Romance Novel

I called my journey my “mild Wild.”

In May 2022, I decided to trek the Camino de Santiago. It wasn’t born out of a dramatic crisis. I didn’t feel the need to escape my life in a big way. But I was struggling. After two tough years of lockdown, switching medications, and battling writer’s block, I felt stuck. Each day, I faced a blank screen while trying to write my third novel, Here We Go Again.

Then I discovered the Camino.

The Camino de Santiago is a network of paths across Western Europe that all lead to the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. For many, it’s a pilgrimage. For others, like me, it’s a unique adventure that pushes you physically and mentally.

I made the bold decision to fly to Portugal with just a month to prepare. I didn’t know much about the Camino, had no right gear, and had never traveled abroad alone. I wasn’t even a big fan of walking.

Despite these doubts, I walked over 200 miles in 13 days, starting from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I bought some Hoka sneakers and a small Osprey backpack and followed advice from travel blogs. Trust me, Compeed, Ibuprofen, and moisture-wicking socks are lifesavers.

Things didn’t go smoothly at first. I overpacked and had to leave behind items at my hostel. I miscalculated my route and ended up walking 22 miles on my first day. My feet were sore and blistered, but I was happier than I had been in ages. The sun, the views of the Portuguese coastline, the food, and the people filled me with joy.

There’s something meditative about knowing your only task each day is to walk. Many pilgrims look for companionship on the trail, but I found freedom in being alone. I could set my schedule, take breaks when I wanted, and enjoy the scenery without any distractions.

For those two weeks, I gave myself permission not to write. But inspired by the journey, I found myself scribbling ideas for my new book at cafes and parks. What came out of this trek eventually turned into my fourth novel, Every Step She Takes, about a woman experiencing her own existential crisis while trekking the Camino.

The Camino helped me find something I didn’t know I needed: time. Time to reflect, to connect with my body, and to rediscover my creativity. It wasn’t a cure, but it reminded me of the importance of self-exploration.

Reaching Santiago felt like a homecoming. I hope readers feel that sense of victory when they follow Sadie and Mal’s journey in Every Step She Takes.

Speaking of travel and adventure, consider checking out fantastic romance novels that share that spirit. Here’s a few that I recommend:

• Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly
• Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz
• A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
• It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram

If you love travel and romance, these books will satisfy your wanderlust.

For more insights on mental wellness during travel, you can explore studies like one from the World Health Organization that highlights the benefits of nature on mental health. Embracing adventure could just lead to the self-discovery you didn’t know you needed.

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