The Walter Mitty Complex


"I haven't really been anywhere noteworthy or mentionable." 

This is my life. From the moment I put pen to paper and began this blog, I knew that it would be difficult. It would be hard to keep going, to be original. And I so wish that I had the time or the money to do amazing things and eat at amazing restaurants but the truth is that I can't. And recently, I haven't done anything noteworthy or mentionable. 

On my way from London to Florida a few months back, I watched a film called 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', which I cannot recommend enough if you're feeling down about life. It is not only a great film, but a great work of art. The main character, Walter, develops photos for a magazine, doing very little else with his life. 

This is me. I am Walter. 

The majority of my real life is made up of shifts at a little cafe, where nothing different happens one day to the next, with the exception of the ever changing specials board. When I go home, I read, have a shower, sleep. 

I am so proud of this little blog and what I have achieved through sticking at it, and I guess this post has become almost an apology (to you, reader, and to myself), that I haven't had the inspiration to write anything lately. As bloggers, we are constantly under pressure to create something new, something original, something creative, or else we will lose our readers. But we are all just normal people. The expectations we place on each other are ones which if placed upon ourselves would make us feel like failures. 

The film shows Walter's journey from a quiet office worker, to someone who is brave, strong and unafraid of the world. Instead of daydreaming about what he wishes he could do, he goes out and he does them for real. Someday, I'm sure I will be able to do these things; to experience the world in all it's glory and share it with you, but at the moment, the Summer months pass in a blur. I hope that if you too have a blog, you will understand my predicament. 

People say you should live life to the fullest, take every second as if it's your last and do everything you want to do. But the honest truth is that sometimes that's not possible. I'm not going to be able to go to Bora Bora or swing on the Swing at the End of the World any time soon. 

What I will do is live in happiness. This blog has given me more happiness than I have ever felt from any other hobby, which sounds a bit sad, but it's the truth. I will write, but for me. I will create what makes me happy and share with you my days, adventures or not. And one day, I will do something as incredible as Walter Mitty. 


"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."

- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Disclaimer: I do not own the picture above. It is a painting by the incredibly talented Jan Vavruša, who's other work can be found by clicking his name or the source link above. I wanted to share it with you all because of how beautiful it is and how it made me feel. I hope you experience the same.


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