Something that I really like about writing is the revision process. When you start an essay, the first draft tends to be too big, too long, and too wordy. The ideas don’t flow, and in turn, the big concepts aren’t communicated as clearly as they could be. But you make fixes and adjustments. You rework sections. You remove phrases. Eventually, you are left with only the pieces that add value to the composition. It’s hard, but a finished essay can be so satisfying. Nothing is more beautiful than a complex concept that is clearly and concisely communicated in just a few simple, digestible paragraphs.
Every word has its purpose.
A climbing project works a lot like this too. The first time up, you grab everything in sight. You don’t want to miss any key beta, so you make sure to try it all. At first, the moves don’t flow well into each other, and you end up doing too much work for too little gain. But you rework sections. You rethink sequences. You remove holds from your beta. Eventually, you climb only what is necessary to reach the anchors. It’s hard, but a send can be so satisfying. Nothing is more beautiful than a difficult climb whittled down to its simplest form.
Every move has its purpose.
Lately, I’ve been going through a period of revision in life too. Days, seasons, and years didn’t flow well. My life felt like it had become complicated and cluttered. I had relationships that brought too much unhappiness, and it was hard to see a clear purpose to the effort of every day. Since my last draft, I’ve made several changes. I’ve rid myself of a house, a smartphone, and almost all of my belongings. I've ended a marriage. I’ve kept the things that add value to my life, removed the things that made me unhappy, and moved into a van.
In life, I think the search for that finished essay, that send, or that final state of happiness isn’t valid. Your life is more of a novel in constant need of revision, expanding or contracting based on the situation. There is no finished product – only a hope that your latest revision is one that you could die happy with.
Revision is hard, but it can be so satisfying. Like an essay, and like a climb, there’s nothing more beautiful than a life simplified down to just the pieces that are most meaningful.
Everything has its purpose.