Why Notable Writers Were Alcoholics
It might seem strange and far fetched from all the “business influencers” to tell you to drink but it’s not…
While some people:
Wake Up at 5 am
Make Their Bed
Journal
Meditate
Workout
(Insert 24 Step Morning Routine)
Others (like myself) simply get to work and learn to enjoy life and yes, occasionally poison my body with copious amounts of alcohol.
The thing is, you will never get paid much more than your ability to THINK and solve problems.
That’s all there is to being an entrepreneur.
And while some people “like” their process, as a creative I am inspired by a world of EXPERIENCE and lowered inhibition.
Cue In ChatGPT for ‘notable’ alcoholics:
Many notable writers have struggled with alcoholism, often viewing it as a coping mechanism for creative pressures, personal struggles, or societal expectations. Here are some examples of famous writers who were alcoholics:
American Writers
• Ernest Hemingway: Known for his minimalist prose and adventurous life, Hemingway battled alcoholism throughout his life. His drinking habits are well-documented and often romanticized, though they contributed to his declining health and mental state.
• F. Scott Fitzgerald: The author of The Great Gatsby was notorious for his heavy drinking, which strained his health and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Zelda.
• William Faulkner: The Nobel laureate often turned to alcohol, sometimes using it to fuel his writing, though it also caused health and interpersonal issues.
• Raymond Carver: This master of the short story struggled with alcoholism for much of his early life, but he achieved sobriety later, which greatly impacted his writing.
• Tennessee Williams: The playwright behind A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie drank heavily, partly as a way to cope with personal tragedies and the pressures of success.
British Writers
• Dylan Thomas: The Welsh poet, famous for Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night, was known for his excessive drinking, which contributed to his early death.
• Kingsley Amis: The English novelist and poet was a notorious drinker, often blending his love for alcohol with his writing life.
• George Orwell: Best known for 1984 and Animal Farm, Orwell enjoyed drinking and wrote about alcohol in essays, though he was not as excessive as some of his contemporaries.
Irish Writers
• James Joyce: The author of Ulysses and Dubliners was a heavy drinker, often frequenting pubs in Dublin and later Paris.
• Brendan Behan: A playwright and poet, Behan’s alcoholism became a defining part of his persona and contributed to his untimely death.
• Oscar Wilde: Although not strictly an alcoholic, Wilde enjoyed drinking and was known for his hedonistic lifestyle.
Other Notable Writers
• Jack Kerouac: A central figure in the Beat Generation, Kerouac’s heavy drinking played a significant role in his life and eventual death.
• Charles Bukowski: Known for his raw, unfiltered prose and poetry, Bukowski wrote extensively about his experiences with alcohol.
• Edgar Allan Poe: The gothic writer’s relationship with alcohol was tumultuous, often exacerbated by his personal tragedies.
Themes of Alcohol in Their Work
Many of these writers explored themes of addiction, despair, and the complexities of the human condition in their work, often drawing from their own experiences with alcohol. However, their struggles also serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of romanticizing substance abuse.
BACK TO ME:
There are two lessons to be said about this…
Do the fvking work
Find your own process
There is no wrong answers. Understand that your subconscious mind is absorbing everything. There is no A-Z plan to success, it’s completely UNIQUE journey.
The True test is staying in the game for long enough and doing something that actually excites you.
Look, money is great! But, coming from a place where you already made it you still need to work. Besides sleep, it’s really all there is to it…
So why not find a way to make it just as fulfilling for you.
Why “struggle” when you can enjoy each and every moment.
If you are following a routine right now, I want you to break it completely for a day and see what it’s like.
If you got no routine, I want you to try having some structure (for example: working 1 hour as soon as you get up on your business)…
Personally, I kind of move and back and forth from both. It’s my 4th year in business and sometimes I’ll wake up early and have a routine, other times I’ll be out and about on a Tuesday Night in my town flirting with all the pretty ladies! (like i did yesterday)
It’s all CONTENT, and it’s all connecting in unexplicable ways to help me get to my goals and be “more creative”.
If you lack an “a-ha moment” in your business, go experience life more. That will be your greatest source of inspiration.
Now, for the only downside about alcoholism… it catches up with you and destroys you near the end. It’s not a good long-term solution (if it’s a solution at all for you).
For me, I wake up the next day not hungover but INSPIRED, it seems for me thinking a little slower helps me get things done.
So, ignore what everyone says. All the ‘gooroos’ on the internet say. Find your own process and play around with it. No wrong answers. I mean hey, it’s your life, your business. You play it EXACTLY how you want to play it.
I give you permission to drink, have no routine, make some mistakes, and not ‘rush’ towards your goals.
Until next time,
Shakoor
P.S. Let me know what you think about this email. I’m planning on writing everyday talking about all the things I’ve learned myself, in books, and from other successful people (you would be surprised how much it all conflicts and cancels out).