A couple of weeks ago I set out to complete the Camino Francés de Santiago in Galicia. The full Camino Francés is 780-800km, starting in southwestern France, winding through the Pyrenees, and spanning across almost the entire breadth of northern Spain. The section I set out to walk was the last 115km from Sarria to Santiago.
One of my many vices is my propensity for distraction and mental noise. The rationale behind the pilgrimage was that a few days alone in the countryside with a single objective would give my mind time to flush itself empty and allow for proper introspection and learning.
I came away with a few learnings; conclusions I had reached at various points along the four day walk:
1. I am horrendously out of shape
2. I am yet to overcome my ill-placed focus on the magnitude of the challenge ahead
3. I must work towards becoming the version of myself that I need to become
On the first point: I walked increasing distances as the days went on, but never more than 42km in one day. This was arguably not the wisest plan, but this was simply a result of where the major stations were along the route from Sarria to Santiago. By the final day, I was completely depleted and needed a sit down rest before going out for dinner.
On the first point: I walked increasing distances as the days went on, but never more than 42km in one day. This was arguably not the wisest plan, but this was simply a result of where the major stations were along the route from Sarria to Santiago. By the final day, I was completely depleted and needed a sit down rest before going out for dinner.
The second is a learning that I’ve been told a number of times, but clearly needed another reminder of. When faced with a large, arduous challenge, my father’s advice has always been to keep one’s eyes on the step immediately ahead and lose vision of the mountain that is yet to be climbed. Step by step, the summit will be reached.
On my walks — especially as I began each day — forcing myself to be entirely present, appreciate the surrounding landscape, and flushing the thought of how big the remaining distance number on my watch had a dramatic effect on my outlook, enjoyment, and my pace. This translates to working on large challenges in any project, too: once the plan is drawn up and confirmed, and work commenced, losing sight of the overall challenge and focusing on the immediate on in front does wonders for one’s mental state and approach while stuck in the depths of the challenge.
My final learning is arguable the most profound and it found me on the penultimate day of my pilgrimage. I was listening to a Porter Robinson song — Something Comforting, I believe — and Robinson’s lyrics made me think of what younger Yuvraj envisioned his life would be like.
I am uninterested in becoming famous. And am trying my best to not worry too much about accumulating wealth while I still have more meaningful pursuits in front of me. A third common barometer for success, though, is the question of whether one’s young self would be impressed and proud of the person they became. I hadn’t held myself up to this ruler in quite a while and wondered if along the way, I’d lost sight of what mattered.
Walking through the countryside between Melide and Arzúa, I tried to remember what little Yuvraj wanted out of life. He made things for other people and wanted to keep doing the same on a larger scale when he was older. That started off with paper and card crafts for his peers but he dreamed one day of running a car brand, designing and manufacturing super-cool sports cars for people to enjoy. Would he be proud of the person he resembled, currently walking through Galicia?
I think not.
Somewhere along the way, he learned to find comfort in mediocrity and excuses. He preached in platitudes, complaining about low quality things and systems without doing anything to be a part of the solution.
Very little about his current lifestyle would resemble what he envisioned or hold any merit in his younger self’s eyes. The way he spent his time and energy on fruitless endeavours in some twisted quasi-hedonism. He didn’t lose the impetus to create, but he did lose the quality of caring, leaving a trail of unfinished and unloved projects; a graveyard of his own creation.
Simultaneously discouraging and fuelling, these thoughts simmered and clarified to form the early foundations of this post.
This post is my contract with younger Yuvraj:
Going forward, I will do better. I will strive to hold a clearer understanding of what really matters. I will stop dropping the ball at the 1–yard line and instead finish them. I will take a more action on being the change I desire and use whatever my gift is to enact positive change in greater magnitude.
To demonstrate my commitment to these imperatives, I will be releasing the schematics, Gerber files (and ODB++), and reference designs for my ESP32-based Wireless Light Controller which I showcased on my social media in 2024. It’s not a perfect design, it’s not something I can afford to get FCC/CE/UKCA-certified, and it’s not going to be for everyone. If even for a single person, however, it proves useful, then I would like to think that younger Yuvraj would be glad.
Keep an eye out shortly for the post on the initial release of the Wireless Light Controller. This will be the first of a number of projects that I will release. It’s time I start shipping actual cool stuff.
Till the next one :)
- Yuvraj