Changing Socks, Changes EVERYTHING!

I've now been walking the GR65 for just over a week. Truth be told it is much harder then I had expected and even more difficult than last year's Camino - both physically and emotionally! One thing remains the same between both trails, the perpetual discussion and attention to feet, foot-ware and everything related to foot-care! So far, I have been blister free, but it seems that I have been hit with what appears to be the start of tendinitis in my left ankle. Blisters, tendonitis, in-grown toenails... Anyone of these alements can make your trek extremely painful and can potentially end your journey!

When it comes to feet and foot-care every walker seems to have their own secret recipe for success - everything to what types of creams to put on your feet, to how to "properly" treat a blister! It's rare that we find unamidity amongst all the trekkers about these secret recipes, with the exception of changing your socks! If you ask anyone that has ever done long distance treks they will ALL agree that: "Changing your socks, changes EVERYTHING!" You must understand that there's an entire process to changing socks - it's not like at home where you simply go to your drawer and pull out a new pair of socks! Out here you must first put down your pack. Then dig through your layers of food, first-aid supplies and clothes to finally get to your dry-sack where your fresh socks are waiting for you! All that work for something as simple as a pair of socks - but it's so worth it!

Here's how it works: when it's mid-day and you have sweaty feet, change your socks, and you'll feel brand new! When it's been raining all day and you have wet feet, change your socks; even if they will be wet again in less then 5 minutes, it still gives you the emotional and psychological boost you need to get through your day! At the end of the day, when they physical exhaustion has kicked in and you don't think that you're going to make it, changing your socks allows you to give your body a much needed break and when you start walking again the finish line suddenly doesn't seem so far! Like I said, changing your socks, changes everything!

The same advice can be applied to our everyday lives! There are moments when we look at a situation from our tired, discouraged and frustrated point of view and we wonder how are we ever going to get through this situation? The fact of the matter is that if we simply took a few minutes to take a step back (i.e., put down our packs), dig a little deeper, we just might be able to find another way to see the situation - put on a new pair of socks! Out here I've had to change the way I see certain challenges - otherwise I won't make it to the end! For example, we've had quite a bit of rain, which normally would have put me in such a bad mood! But, having spent time in the Rainforest, I've come to see that the rain shouldn't stop us from enjoying each moment! So I've put on my "super-poncho" and I have tried to enjoy the moments - singing sometimes helps! Another example that comes to mind is my sore leg, which has definitely slowed me down, because I want to give it a chance to heal. I like to push myself, which can't be down at a slow pace! But, walking slower is still allowing me to cover the distance I had hoped, it's just taking a bit longer! With that said, it's also allowing me to meet a great group of people! Some of whom are planning to walk to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port, which I'm very grateful for! Changing my socks has allowed me to appreciate and even put into perspective every moment of this experience thus far - even the challenging ones! 

So how are you doing today? Do you need a little boost? Have you thought about changing your socks? Like we say out here: Changing your socks, changes EVERYRHING!

- Buen Camino