Clarity - Embracing the Chaos of Creativity
Clarity. One word, yet so powerful. It’s something I wrestle with constantly. Sure, there are moments where things seem clear, where I have a defined goal and a sense of direction. But more often than not, clarity feels elusive. What am I doing? Why do I want to do it? How do I ensure I create opportunities to do more of it? These questions have haunted me for far longer than I care to admit.
I’ve always had varied interests. Running, cars, music, writing — each one pulling me in a different direction. It’s led me to be a jack of all trades, master of none. I don’t lack motivation, but I lack a singular vision. I operate on instinct, letting my energy dictate where I focus from day to day. One day I’m deep into training and adventure; the next, I’m buried under the hood of a car, hands covered in grease. Then, there are days when I’m lost in music, chasing down melodies and lyrics that won’t leave my head. And we’re told that success comes from daily habits, from consistent effort toward a single goal — so where does that leave me?
In an attempt to justify my constant shifting, I like to think of myself as a modern-day renaissance man—someone who dabbles in many things, creating progress in multiple directions. I make small steps forward every day, even if they don’t lead to a singular, well-defined destination. I have an idea of what I want my life to look like, but the path to get there remains unclear. And then that word returns again—clarity.
The world tells us to focus, to specialize, to find a niche and dig deep. But deep down, I’ve never wanted to follow that path. The punk rock kid in me rebels against it. I don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. I don’t want to copy a formula or follow trends just because they’re successful for others. I crave authenticity, and if that means going against the grain, so be it.
Maybe that’s why I come up with so many ideas that I abandon at the last minute. I build out concepts, develop plans, and get excited about possibilities, only to step back and realize I don’t want to be tied down. I don’t want to chase money for the sake of it even though financial freedom is undeniably important. I want to create something meaningful, something that truly resonates, and something that isn’t just another version of what’s already been done. And every time I feel like I’m narrowing my focus, I pivot, afraid that committing to one thing means shutting the door on all the others.
Which might help explain why Run from the Norm has become so important to me. It’s constantly shifting, evolving, and giving me an outlet to explore all these ideas in a way that doesn’t force me to choose just one. More than anything, it has become a space for connection and community—something far more valuable than I probably give it credit for. It already looks different than it did when I started it over a year ago, and I can only imagine what it will become when I look back a year from now. But in a way, that’s the beauty of it. It’s a place where everything I love can come together, helping me define my vision day by day. The backbone of it all is the people—the conversations I get to have, the stories I get to hear, and the way those moments shape my perspective. The more I sit down with others and listen, the more I learn, and the more this community of like-minded, unique individuals grows. Does it have to be just about running? I don’t think so. At its core, Run from the Norm is about feeding my soul, building something meaningful, and providing something valuable to the people who resonate with it.
So I won’t chase the traditional definition of success. Instead, I’ll keep pushing forward in my own way. Some days, I’ll be obsessed with cars. Other days, I’ll get lost in music. And almost every day, there will be movement—running, sweating, letting the energy burn off until I’m left with nothing but clarity, even if it’s brief and only for a moment. I may never be the best at any of it, but I’m good enough to fulfill my desires to create, explore, and continually pursue the things that set my soul on fire.
And maybe that’s enough. Maybe the real success is in embracing the chaos, in allowing all these passions to coexist rather than fighting to choose just one. It fuels me, it keeps me moving, and at the end of the day, it inspires me to keep creating—whether that’s through a project, a song, a run in the mountains, or even just sitting down to put these thoughts into words.
Today that’s where I’m finding my clarity, and it still keeps me moving forward, which in my mind is the ultimate goal.
