Didionist
Very rarely do I find myself wishing that someone else’s life were mine. Most of the time, I’m content with my own existence with the ups and downs and the little victories that make up my days. But there are a few people out there whose lives and works I find so fascinating that I can’t help but imagine what it would be like walking in their shoes. These are the people I consider higher beings; the ones whose influence and impact are so great that they feel almost otherworldly.
One of these icons is the magnificent Joan Didion.
I first heard about who Joan Didion was when my English teacher in high school shared with us a little quote from her essay, “On Keeping a Notebook”, during an introduction to creative writing. Over the years since then, I read a few of her other essays here and there but never committed to reading one of her books until about two years ago. Yes, when she sadly passed away.
As the news of her passing reached my ears, a massive wave of regret washed over me. It was a strange feeling as if I had lost something that I never had the chance to fully grasp. I had always been meaning to read her works in their entirety, but somehow kept on putting it off, thinking I had all the time in the world. But now, the urgency hit me. I wanted to experience her writing so badly — to delve into her thoughts and to feel the world through her words. It was as if a piece of her was calling out to me, urging me to finally pick up one of her books and start learning. So I did, and as I turned the pages, I felt the pain of losing her dissipating, replaced by a sense of connection and understanding that only a great writer could give.
Get Nate Alva’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
From the moment I read her words as I rediscover her genius, I was hooked. Her writing is spare and precise, yet somehow manages to pack an emotional punch that leaves me reeling. Her essays and books explore the complexities of human experience in such a way that feels both universal and deeply personal. Her critiques of society and culture are sharp and incisive, yet always tinged with a sense of empathy and understanding. Her words made me realize that she could be everything I aspire to be as a writer and a human being. Her love for literature and writing is something that I’ve always felt deep in my bones and seeing that same passion reflected in her works is incredibly inspiring. Every time I pick up and read her books, I feel like I’m in the presence of a mentor — someone who can guide me through the maze of my own thoughts and feelings.
It’s not just her writings that I admire, though. It’s the way she lived her life, too. Even as she’s achieved fame and success, she always remained humble. She was never afraid to speak her mind, too, to challenge the status quo or to put herself out there in ways that might be uncomfortable or scary. Her commitment to her craft and her integrity as a person are things that I find incredibly admirable.
Of course, I know that I can never truly be Joan Didion.
Her life and her experiences are her own and they’ve shaped her in ways that are unique and unrepeatable. But even so, I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to have her talent, her wisdom, her clarity o thought. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to live a life that’s guided by the same fierce intelligence and passion that she did possess.
And so I keep reading, keep learning, keep striving to be the best I can be both in writing and living. I keep Joan close to my heart as a kind of touchstone — a reminder of what’s possible when we put our minds to something and work tirelessly to achieve it.
She may never know the impact that she’s had on my life, but I’ll always be grateful to her for the inspiration and guidance that she’s provided.
