A four-month, 5000-kilometre walk from Perth to Sydney has undoubtedly taken a physical toll on Sydney man Dan Watson.
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But, as he walked the last couple of days of his journey through the Illawarra this week, he said the psychological effects of the solitary journey had been far more profound.
"I've obviously lost a lot of weight, but it's mostly a mind game," he said.
"I had all these expectations around figuring out what I wanted to do, I thought I'd have a career plan, a life plan and address all these behavioural issues.
"But I've found that what you want and what you need are two very different things, so I still don't know any of that ... but [the walk] has taught me how to be true to myself."
Mr Watson set out on his walk to raise money and awareness for the Cancer Council and mental health charity Sane after "discovering the meaning of life" when going through a difficult time.
"I was pretty unhappy with where my life was at, with who I was and what I was doing and life had kind of lost any point," he said.
"I just needed time and space to clear my head, and then my mum was sick as well ... and when I saw her suffering with stage three lung cancer, it put my problems instantly into perspective.
"I thought, we're on this planet to help people who are suffering more than you.
"Because by helping them, that's helping yourself as well."
To donate, visit the website www.inbetweendrinks.org.