Love it Charlie. Sounds like you’ve found the path right under your feet, which is exactly where it should be. Looking forward to coming along for the ride.
Anything pushing the message to cut back on the planning & ruminating and just start gets a heart from me. You’ll make sense of the journey as it progresses, you can’t plan anything effectively without taking the first steps.
Ita funny how easy it is to trick ourselves into the trap of "once X happens I can do Y". There's something to be said about needing the resources (energy, monetary, whatever) to dedicate to a project. But at a certain point we have to make the choice to commit to whatever the dream is, rather than wait for the perfect conditions. It is the eternal struggle of the human condition to brave the uncertainty of gambling on yourself.
It’s time to embrace your grandness, Charlie, because this IS you:
“The premise of Castles in the Sky is that there is a tremendous number of people under assault by nihilistic confusion, existential boredom, and intellectual loneliness. I think that the cure for this is a combination of earnestness, curiosity, and boldness. I want people to see these principles in action so that they can improve their own lives and, in turn, the world. “
Damn, this was the best read of a random choice on my part to click on the next thing on SS. Great story and very inspiring. Best of luck and serendipity yo you!
Loved reading your story! Thank you for sharing this.
I had a similar experience putting off making YouTube videos. First it was until I finished high school, then my bachelor’s, then my internship, then my master’s and then I realized, uh oh, I’m starting a full-time job. There is no new point to push this off to and I will probably never have more time than I do now. So I finally started it 3 years and 104 videos ago.
Sounds like getting past the “putting things off”milestone had a similar effect for you looking at all the projects you’re working on!
I haven't finished yet, but just had to stop and appreciate what an absolute badass speech therapist you found:
Quickly uncovered your issue, understood the knock-on effects surgery could have, calmed your worries about insurance, and ethically wouldn't want to treat you because it was obvious this other issue was in play.
That opening bit about you editing a video for YouTube and facing yourself resonated with me. Would love to hear more where that desire came from and what your relationship with make videos is now. Stoked for you dude. I know this has been a long time coming and you have shown up for yourself, family, and community well through this thing. Looking forward to what follows for you.
Great transformation, Charlie. Glad you're feeling good.
Thanks Simone! I am feeling great. I can breathe through my nose on a run for the first time in my life.
Love it Charlie. Sounds like you’ve found the path right under your feet, which is exactly where it should be. Looking forward to coming along for the ride.
Thank you! "Under my feet" is a great way to describe it.
Love the ethos Charlie :)
I am really glad it turned out ok and I am sending continued good health thoughts your way. That sounded like an INTENSE journey.
I once made the mistake once of asking my wife what projects she planned to do during maternity leave... what a silly question for similar reasons :).
Thanks! And haha yes, I was a decent guy for my wife's first baby but now with another on the way I feel like I understand in a whole new way.
Transformation. Wow!
Thanks Karena!
Beautiful essay Charlie. More focused and breathing easier. 💪
Thanks Jeff--breathing easier, literally and figuratively!
...welcome back brother...looking forward to the castles...
Oh there are castles on the way!
Your commitment and courage are so inspiring Charlie! Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts!
Thank you!
What a journey, and a remarkable transformation! A lot for you to endure--way to hang in there.
Thank you! See you on the trail! 💪
Anything pushing the message to cut back on the planning & ruminating and just start gets a heart from me. You’ll make sense of the journey as it progresses, you can’t plan anything effectively without taking the first steps.
All the best Charlie
Dude. Your hair is PERFECT!
Ita funny how easy it is to trick ourselves into the trap of "once X happens I can do Y". There's something to be said about needing the resources (energy, monetary, whatever) to dedicate to a project. But at a certain point we have to make the choice to commit to whatever the dream is, rather than wait for the perfect conditions. It is the eternal struggle of the human condition to brave the uncertainty of gambling on yourself.
Also, loved the piece, especially love the mission behind your writing!
It’s time to embrace your grandness, Charlie, because this IS you:
“The premise of Castles in the Sky is that there is a tremendous number of people under assault by nihilistic confusion, existential boredom, and intellectual loneliness. I think that the cure for this is a combination of earnestness, curiosity, and boldness. I want people to see these principles in action so that they can improve their own lives and, in turn, the world. “
Eric, thank you! I appreciate your insight here!
Damn, this was the best read of a random choice on my part to click on the next thing on SS. Great story and very inspiring. Best of luck and serendipity yo you!
Thanks Burke! I appreciate you stopping by to check it out.
Loved reading your story! Thank you for sharing this.
I had a similar experience putting off making YouTube videos. First it was until I finished high school, then my bachelor’s, then my internship, then my master’s and then I realized, uh oh, I’m starting a full-time job. There is no new point to push this off to and I will probably never have more time than I do now. So I finally started it 3 years and 104 videos ago.
Sounds like getting past the “putting things off”milestone had a similar effect for you looking at all the projects you’re working on!
Yes, something snapped and I went from "why start?" to "why wait?"
Love that!
I haven't finished yet, but just had to stop and appreciate what an absolute badass speech therapist you found:
Quickly uncovered your issue, understood the knock-on effects surgery could have, calmed your worries about insurance, and ethically wouldn't want to treat you because it was obvious this other issue was in play.
Amazing!
Absolutely so lucky. I'd had people say something similar but she was able to pierce through so much cloudiness.
That opening bit about you editing a video for YouTube and facing yourself resonated with me. Would love to hear more where that desire came from and what your relationship with make videos is now. Stoked for you dude. I know this has been a long time coming and you have shown up for yourself, family, and community well through this thing. Looking forward to what follows for you.
I still have some swelling, but plan to make videos in the next month or two. I am going to do a run of podcast episodes to feel it out.