(Not So) Random Notes

I have no idea how this happened.

I started this notebook to store random thoughts. It was somewhere between a journal and a pocket notebook.

Some examples include:

• Conversations I overheard and turned into dialogue.

• Little sketches and doodles that visualized what I couldn’t put into words.

• Poems, descriptions, or anything that popped into my head without context. 

But suddenly, a narrative began to form. The themes across the poems and the writings began to coalesce until it became a proper story, hence why the front of notebook reads: “(Not So) Random Notes".

But why is this important for you? Because it points to a philosophy I live by:

Just do shit that you find interesting.

Best-selling novelist Haruki Murakami takes this a bit further:

“If you want to express yourself as freely as you can, it’s probably best not to start out by asking ‘What am I seeking?’ Rather, it’s best to ask ‘Who would I be if I weren’t seeking anything?’ and then try to visualize that aspect of yourself.”

If you like to write, then just write. You don't have to have a specific story or topic in mind.

Do you like to run? Just run. You don't have to decide immediately that you're training for a marathon, a 5k, an ultra marathon, or an Ironman. Over time if you run enough, the best goal for you will become obvious.

I'm generally considered an intentional person, and I can't disagree with that. But any intentionality I have was formed through a lot of messing around.

My focus has been formed by creating monologues for their own sake. By doodles and drawings. By journal entries and little notes I took because I enjoyed the process of scraping my mind for words, phrases, and sentences.

I wasn't trying to write a story, and yet the story decided that it wanted to be told. And over time (a lot of time), it became obvious that I wanted to tell it.

So just start doing shit that you find interesting. 

No goals? No problem. They’ll come if you take your curiosity far enough.

The story I mentioned in this post is very real. I’ve been purposely vague about it because it’s still pretty early on, but I think I’m at the point where I can start sharing some small sneak peeks of it.

So, here’s the very first sketch I drew for the story. The one drawing that single-handedly changed the direction of my focus.

I’m no artist, and this is just a draft, but it’s special to me. And one day, I hope you get to see it and can get something from it.

All in due time…

The Haruki Murakami quote comes from his wonderful essay “On Originality”. Give it a read if you want the best explanation on what originality is, and how you yourself can do authentic work.

Also, this essay reminds me of my friend Nick Bibeau’s motto “Write Already”. It’s simple and brilliant, and it goes for more than just writing. Whatever you enjoy, just DO IT ALREADY. You don’t have to have a goal in mind to do something you enjoy. (Isn’t enjoyment a good enough reason anyways?)

Nick’s Twitter/X account, as well as his newsletter, are some of my favorite things to read each week.

If you enjoy my writing, follow and subscribe to Nick because there’s a ton of overlap our writing, and he has the added benefit of age and life experience.

If you enjoyed this, forward it to a friend, or screenshot your favorite section and share it on social media!

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Also, I’m always on the hunt for new stories, so if you ever come across an article, book, movie, documentary, folktale, YouTube video, Instagram post, etc. that I would find interesting, send it my way! That’s an easy way to make my day.