The phrase "less is more" can feel counterintuitive. In my mind, I often believe that giving maximum effort and moving as fast as possible will get me further. And while that might be true in some situations, it usually comes at a cost.
What I’ve recently learned is that when you have a clear goal or a challenge to complete, the speed at which you approach it isn't always crucial. Sometimes, adopting a "less is more" mindset helps sustain effort and momentum over the long term.
I think part of the struggle comes from the competitive mindset I was conditioned to have growing up—always being encouraged to give my best and push harder. From school onward, it’s been about maximum effort and trying your hardest, which seems like the right approach to many areas of life. But while walking the Camino, I realised that maybe this mentality doesn’t need to apply to every part of my life.
In the final week before setting off on your Camino, you stand in front of an empty backpack, one that can hold up to 65 litres of gear. As you plan, you try to think of every possible scenario you might face and all the items you might need.
“A book will be great for relaxing,” you think. “A sketchpad will be perfect for some personal downtime. Four litres of water—just in case I get lost and can’t find a place to refill. And 14 pairs of underwear—one for each day, of course.”
You pack it all in, but soon your bag is bursting at the seams. At the airport, you check-in, and your bag weighs 14kg—without the water. When you strap it on the first morning, it feels heavy but manageable. After all, you haven’t walked anywhere yet. But about 8km into the journey, when someone strolls by with a backpack a third the size of yours, weighing less than 6kg, you ask yourself, “Why am I carrying so much stuff?”
It’s at that moment you realise you’ve overpacked. You don’t need the book or the sketchpad. Four pairs of underwear would’ve been enough—there are washing machines, after all. And now, you’re stuck carrying this weight for the next 262km over 11 days. Fuck!
The thing is, I carried all those things from start to finish and made it to the end. But in hindsight, I could’ve made the journey much easier. That’s the beauty of it, though—you learn lessons for next time.
The problem with stubbornness and perseverance when you're carrying too much weight is that your body pays the price. I pushed through, but I ended up injured, needing patella bands and additional knee support every day. My back and hips were in constant pain. And for what?
The irony? That man I saw on day one, carrying just 6kg, still made it to Santiago the same day I did. He covered the same distance but with far less strain.
The reason I’m writing this down is because it feels relevant to many of our lives. We live in a time where it seems like if you're not moving at 100mph or carrying as much as you possibly can, you won’t achieve what you want.
A big part of the problem comes from influencers who tell you how they supposedly did it—whether it’s how they built their gym physique or made their first million. What they often don’t mention is that you can achieve the same results by finding your own path. Their way isn’t the only way.
We often believe our own journey is the best because it worked for us, but that’s a narrow way to look at life. There are countless ways to reach your goals and dreams. The key is to start, taking it one step—or one kilometer—at a time.
Maybe next time I walk the Camino, I’ll manage to keep my backpack under 6kg... here's hoping.
I am Will Flindall, host of the Valley of Outlaws Podcast where I speak to those who have decided to take control of their life and follow a passion or instinct.
If you feel like you could be getting more from your life, then maybe one of the conversations I’ve had with the Outlaws might help you kickstart a change.
Peace x
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