Why I Wouldn’t Trade My Own Story for Fiction

Daily writing prompt

If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

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Have you ever finished an incredible book or movie and thought, “Wow, I wish I could live a life like that!”

While the adventures of fictional characters can be incredibly exciting and truly inspiring, I would argue that the greatest adventure lies in crafting our own unique story.

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Here’s why I wouldn’t trade my own life for a fictional one. I would like to keep, at any time, the knowledge, skills, and wisdom I have learned living my life. I would like to bring with me the lessons learned in hard times and the love I felt, gave, and received.

We are all born with the potential to create a life that’s brimming with purpose, passion, and fulfilment. Fictional characters, on the other hand, are awesome products of someone else’s imagination. Their journeys, while captivating, are ultimately predetermined. They don’t get to choose their paths, face the unexpected twists and turns that life throws our way, or experience the profound growth that comes from overcoming challenges.

The beauty of our own lives lies in the power of choice.

We get to decide what paths to take, what mountains to climb, and who to share the journey with. Every decision we make, every obstacle we overcome, everything we learn shapes who we become. The struggles and triumphs we face write our own unique script, a story that holds the power to inspire us, and maybe even others, in ways a fictional tale never could.

Imagine looking back on your life and realizing it was a mere copy of someone else’s story. Wouldn’t that feel like a missed opportunity? To me, it would.

The human experience is about so much more than simply following a pre-written script, even if it is genuinely exciting and engaging. It’s about the thrill of discovery, the joy of creation, and the satisfaction of knowing that you built your own life, brick by brick.

So, instead of yearning to be a character in a book or movie, I will always prefer to be the main protagonist of my own story, life journey, and experience. I will happily, thankfully, and curiously embrace the challenges, learn new lessons, and savour the beautiful messiness that comes with crafting your own unique path.

The world needs our story, our perspective, and the unique tapestry of experiences that only we can create. So, let’s write our own adventure, one choice, one experience at a time.