HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED?

A young man from a wealthy family, graduates from a prestigious university as a top student. Instead of pursing his parents' dreams of landing a successful career and living what in their eyes would be a fruitful life, he rids himself of his belongings, donates his savings, and heads across country seeking adventure. His end goal? The Alaskan wilderness.

His name was Christopher McCandless. His story has been documented in novel form by author, Jon Krakauer, and in movie form starring, Emile Hirsch. He has inspired many young adventures to remove themselves from the capitalistic world to pursue a life of meaning. He is best recognized in the recounts titled, 'Into the Wild'.

I remember watching this movie when I was 18-years-old with my sister. If you have read my other blog posts, you probably sense a theme. I was a very impressionable 18-year-old hooked on adventure and determined to find my own meaning in life. I had read the book before sitting down to watch the film with my sister one winter evening. We were eager to pursue the anti-capitalist life and ended up dumpster diving post-movie (we felt badass and like our actions were contributing to some form of revolution).

The Christopher McCandless story carries a strong message. Throughout his adventures, McCandless cuts several ties with people close to him, believing that he must pursue his goals on his own to make them meaningful. In watching the film, or reading the book, you notice that there are central themes around identity and independence. He believes that human relationships are not at the core of man, and that we should not define ourselves around them. Human relationships should not be at the centre of our lives.

Of course, I don't want to spoil any details, but over the course of his adventures, McCandless's ideologies shift. He finds himself in situations alone and scared wishing he could be back home with the people he loves. His beliefs change and he begins to see the value in human relationships. During his worst troubles, McCandless sketches his thoughts, producing the quote, "Happiness only real when shared."

Christopher McCandless

I'll be honest, when I first read the book and watched the movie, this quote went completely over my head. My younger self was still convinced that I had to pursue things on my own to find meaning. I thought that maybe I would have my own revelations too, but that I would have to experience things alone first. I was stuck in the early Christopher McCandless mindset.

I was stuck in this mindset for a long time. The quote and meaning behind the quote didn't really hit me until probably two years ago. I was convinced that I had to experience everything alone first before I could be happy. I still valued my human relationships but not to the full extent that I do now. I think the COVID-19 pandemic helped to enlighten me as I began to spend more time with my parents and saw the true power of human relationships. I still find comfort in having alone time (I think this is just my nature), but I now understand what Christopher McCandless wrote. His words have a greater impact on me when I hear that quote now. I think of all the memories I share with other people and how those experiences would not have been nearly as meaningful or enjoyable had I been alone. I make a greater effort in my relationships with my family and friends and look forward to spending time with those around me. I know that the memories shared are the memories that will stick. They will be in my head and my heart forever.

Side note: the soundtrack in the movie 'Into the Wild' is by Eddie Vedder and it is amazing.

'Into the Wild' movie trailer.