There’s a certain kind of person who believes they need to burn their life down to make it interesting.
You might know the type. The ones who romanticize chaos. Who think that good stories only come from bad decisions and believe that living on the edge is the only way to prove you’re really alive.
I was reminded of this kind of person while preparing for another trip out west next week. I’ll be skiing in Aspen with my family for a few days before I head up to Boulder for a few work meetings.
It’s been a few years since I’ve had my skis on, so I’ve been easing into the mountain mindset. For me, that means revisiting some classic ski films.
One of my favorites is Aspen Extreme. It’s a quintessential ‘90s ski movie about two guys who leave behind their lives in Detroit to chase the dream of becoming ski instructors in Aspen. It’s very cheesy, very over the top, and absolutely worth a watch.
But there’s a line in the movie that stuck with me this time around.
The main character, T.J. Burke, wants to be a writer. But he keeps saying he can’t start yet, not until he’s lived enough. He’s got to “live a life worth writing about” before he can put pen to paper.
What do you want to write about?
T.J.: Well, I don’t think it’s that simple. I gotta live first. I gotta live the biggest life I can.
This is an idea I’ve heard before. And, frankly, I’ve always thought it was bullshit.
Beware of Pretenders
There was a guy I knew growing up who wanted to be a writer and a stand-up comedian.
He too talked about needing to live a life that would give him good material. He believed he had to go out and chase experiences—mostly reckless ones—to have anything worth saying to a crowd of strangers on open-mic night.
He came from a stable family, but he thought he needed to create chaos in his life to make it more interesting.
He dropped out of college to move in with us, would get blackout drunk in back alleys on campus, started smoking (tobacco and other things), and would routinely get pulled over solely so that he could post pictures of flashing lights in his rearview mirror to his Instagram story.
All of this to look like someone with stories to tell.
If you want my honest opinion… this wasn’t a life worth writing about. It was just a performance.
I’m not sure what he’s doing now.
The Best Stories Aren’t Manufactured
There’s a romanticism around being a tortured artist.
Hemingway on Pilar. Hunter S. Thompson in San Juan.
People think the best stories need to be soaked in a cold sweat from the night before, written with a stiff drink in one hand while the other pounds away at a typewriter in some dimly lit room on an island.
That may work for some, but I’m proof that you don’t have to run away to international waters to find something to write about.
The most interesting moments in my life weren’t always the things I sought out. They were opportunities that presented themselves, and I just happened to be paying attention when they did.
I didn’t plan to spend one Christmas on a Russian research vessel in Antarctica.
I didn’t plan to chase ducks in the flooded timber of Arkansas with a billionaire.
I definitely didn’t plan to marry my high school homecoming date. But I thank my lucky stars for that opportunity (and that she said yes).
None of these moments were part of some grand quest to live a life worth writing about.
They were just part of the life I was supposed to live.
If you’re too busy trying to make a story, you’ll miss the one that’s unfolding right in front of you.
“Don’t Try”
Charles Bukowski—a man who spent much of his life writing words—only has two etched on his gravestone: “Don’t Try.”
In a letter, he explained it this way:
“You don’t try. That’s very important: not to try, either for Cadillacs, creation or immortality. You wait, and if nothing happens, you wait some more.
It’s like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap out and kill it. Or if you like its looks you make a pet out of it.”
In other words, stop forcing it.
Stop chasing the image of who you think you need to be. Let life happen. When the right moment presents itself, take advantage of it.
Don’t try so hard to live a life worth writing about.
Just live.
From My Desk:
What I’m Thinking About: I’m a carry-on man. If I could squeeze a grand piano into an overhead sized bag, I would. Considering I’m about to spend two weeks in Colorado, I’m having trouble putting a packing strategy together that allows for skiing, business (& fishing of course). It might be time to start learning magic.
What I’m Doing: Been a good weekend thus far. Sitka Gear opened up a new store location in Columbus, OH this weekend so my cousin and I hit up the pre-opening party on Friday to grab some new Sitka x Ohio themed gear. Having a store 5 minutes from the office and 20 minutes from home is dangerous for my wallet.
We also made another attempt at ducks yesterday - no luck. We did however find some pheasants…
On Deck for Monday: Busy week ahead, but thankfully only 5 more business days separate me from the mountain. Definitely doable.
From The Field Review Archives:
The Field Review is a space for exploring the intersection of work, life, and the great outdoors. It’s about figuring ‘it’ out—whatever your ‘it’ might be.
Every Sunday at 10AM EST, I share ideas, insights, and conversations that help break through the noise, offering a real look at how we can all keep moving forward.
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Venture Onward,
Jack
As a fellow Columbus resident.. Go Bucks!!! My office is also 5 minutes from that new Sitka store - I will have to check it out.
As you probably can guess, I think this is terrific, Jack. And also am jealous of your Sitka store — but thankful for my wallet! Sneaking out one more time for late season deer tomorrow to for a day of still hunting — but after that, my mind is going to sheds and then turkey season!