Stories to Tell

The Call of Adventure

First of all, I’d like to thank Clintavo for once again sharing my newsletter. 
I’m infinitely grateful. If you like my newsletter, I’m sure you’ll like his. It's unique content you won't find anywhere else.

You can find his personal newsletter here: Clinsights
His newsletter dedicated to artists here: BoldBrush

I tell you stories. But I also tell stories in real life. That’s where I started. 
Whether it’s to my family, my friends, my love. I’ve always enjoyed telling stories.

The great thing about stories is that you can tell the same one to every new person you meet. A bit like comedians who perform the same sketch hundreds of times for different audiences. A good story will always be exciting for new ears.

Some time ago, a generous listener lent me his ear and his attention. As I was telling a story (which I’ve already told far too many), a flash of insight struck me.

“I don’t have any new stories.”

When I get home, I lie down on my bed. Staring blankly at the ceiling. 
Reflecting about my life. What happened to me recently that would make a great story? Nothing.

I’m digging into the last few months. Then the last few years. Reality hits me in the face. Apart from becoming an online writer, I haven’t done anything exciting for a few years.

All these stories I love to tell are relics of a distant past. I’ve done a lot of work, I’ve passed some milestones in my professional life, I’ve become an online writer… But adventures? Real adventures involving the unknown, fear and danger? None.

I did everything to avoid taking any risks. Safe in my fortress.

I feel like one of those people who had all kinds of adventures at one point in their lives. Then they settled down. A little routine. Daily comfort. Great ambitions gone. 

All that’s left are a few tales of past glory. But what is the past worth in the present? Not much, except the weight of remembering the person you used to be.

If you’ve opened any of my recent emails, you’ve realized that I’m in dire need of change.

I was reading a quote: 

“Until we hate our situation enough, we can’t change.”

I’m getting there.

I need to get back to the person I was a few years ago. The one who dared, the one who wanted more, the one who was ready to face adversity. Braver, more ambitious.

I was listening to a retired sportsman talking about how difficult his post-career life was. He was saying something like  

“After playing every week in front of thousands of spectators, winning trophies, accomplishing feats. It’s hard to go back to a normal life. You get addicted to this life. A crazy amount of dopamine every week. When it stops, you’re still hooked, except you can’t get your fix. It’s hard.”

I haven’t played in front of thousands of spectators, I haven’t achieved any feats (yet lol) but I understand what he means. Whatever you’ve done before. Life goes on, and we can't help comparing ourselves to our old selves.

I didn’t understand people who had reached a certain age and who continued to be ultra-active. Taking on crazy challenges. Opening new businesses. Keep working.

I used to wonder:

“Why don’t they rest? What could possibly be tormenting them that would keep them looking for mountains to climb, even at their age?”

The more the years go by, the more I understand them. They’re just looking to stay alive. 

The body ages, but the flame of the soul remains immortal.

And that’s the path I’m going to embark on. I don’t want to be the one, stuck in a past and finished glory, who has no more stories to tell.