In that case, might I give a quick suggestion list, just to name a few! Tom Scott Matt D'Avella Academy of Ideas Break the Twitch exurb1a Medlife Crisis Steve Mould Pursuit of Wonder What I've learned I highly enjoy Nathaniel's content, but there are quite a few others that bring a lot of worth, curiosity and knowledge to this platform :)
@@hamiltonfilho5782 if it wasn't for previous "gone wild" uses I know about "van life gone wild" would sound like would just sound like a series about a hiker/outdoor enthusiasts adventures while living in a van.
Dear Nathan, thank you for reminding me to look ahead with curiosity rather than fear. I'm finding myself worrying about the future often, because I have so many big dreams and expectations - but we have to let go of that strict image of what we think our life has to look like. Not completely, but at least to a point where we're not too attached to that in a way that's just causing stress and worries. The best things happen unexpectedly, when making decisions out of intuition instead out of overthinking. I'm challenging myself to embrace all of life with an open heart, not think everything through, but LIVE everything through. Life is too short to be scared, too magical. And I certainly don't wanna miss that magic.
I think this is the concept of "Amor Fati" Amor fati is a Latin phrase that may be translated as "love of fate" or "love of one's fate". It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one's life, including suffering and loss, as good or, at the very least, necessary.
People say that your 20s are the best time of your life and I’m still waiting for that to happen... But not even Beyonce has all her sh**t together, life is just this amazing game where we lose and win and in a way it makes life interesting.
The best advice I ever got was from my college advisor when I graduated, she said "Expect nothing". It seemed like odd advice for a 22 year old filled with great plans and expectations. But now many years later I understand that what she meant was that life throws at us many unexpected challenges and opportunities and we just need to embrace them as means to learn and grow. If you approach life as an exciting adventure then you will never be pessimistic!
It's great to hear these thoughts from someone who is my age-peer. Sometimes I forget too to be optimistic and that this situation won't be forever. Thank you for the advice, I'll let life surprise me! (ps I was hypnotized by your eyes)
I'm 47 and I feel like I'm only just recently starting to get a real grip on who I am and who I want to be. Acting instead of reacting. And yeah, you get to a point in your life when you are okay with letting other people be wrong and not trying to change their minds. Or just entertaining a different point of view.
I know that you’re an individual, just as every single one of us but I just wanna say, thank you thank you thank you for giving us an image of an adult that can be imperfect, make mistakes, and not have everything together. And to be more willing to expect the unexpected. A lot of people (me included) needed this ☺️
Yes! This is something I realised over the past couple of years too! I have been trying to "arrive" at this mystical land of stability, but the destination doesn't exist. My boyfriend who is a good few years my senior believes that people change. There's this myth that we have completely new cells in our body every 7 years (some turnover much quicker). Even though the cells thing it's not exactly true, I think (especially during this time) that we can cling to the kernel of truth: the only constant is change. I'm really lucky - I'm not scared of change but I think it was because I am always trying to change to reach an idealistic place of stability/perfection. Thank you for the reminder ❤️
every time you post it's exactly what i need to hear that day. i don't know how that perfect timing keeps happening man. you a mind reader or something? got the fbi files on all your subscribers? loll but for real thank you for doing what you do
I am a man of a certain age.. one who has chased adventures, dreamt many dream and have had many "quests" spiritual and otherwise. I've loved fiercely and have lived loudly. I've been brave, and I've cowered in the shadow of uncertainty. I've been watching your videos for some time now, and I find myself captivated by curiosity, and in awe of your tenacity. You are living so much for a man so young. You inspire me to take myself off of mute and take that road that I have feared for not knowing where it will lead. I find myself annoyed by those younger than I am sometimes, knowing that I have forgotten much more than a lot of them even know, but you have my utmost respect and admiration, and I'm thrilled to be inspired by you. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
I’m 43 years old and still surprised by myself sometimes. And that’s good, because it means I’m still developing, learning and growing. I would be worried (and bored too) when there would be a moment where I ‘know it all’. Thank you for reminding me to be exited about what is yet to come and how amazingly beautiful life can be. I’m about to be forced to move to another place, without knowing where. I have no money, no job, nothing is for certain in my life right now and I’m SCARED AS HELL. It actually gave me panic attacks recently and made me feel stressed and depressed. But this video helped me to remember that I can perceive what is coming as an opportunity to something new and maybe even better. And above all: It is an opportunity to learn. I feel really challenged, it almost gets too much, but it’s just ‘life throwing balls at me’...
"I was simply a version of myself with less life experience." ... I love this, such an important and gentle way of regarding our past selves ! A wonderful video as always :)
This just arrived in the right moment in my life, I'm struggling a lot with college and deciding what I'm going to do, but as he said, doesn't quite matter how many plans I do, life's gonna do what it wants, it was very comfortable
I love him! I do not mean the expression - 'He is so great. I love him'. I mean I want to see him cooking, watch him shooting outside, hear him talk in many languages, laugh at his dad jokes, and plan his adventures. He is a human version of people in fantasy books who run outside looking for adventures. He seems so great! In a world that has Tati Westbrooks, Shane Dawson, Jeffrey Stars, and Kardashians, be a Nathaniel Drew. p.s. show your house sometime.
I turned off Gossip Girl when I saw you posted a new video! This pandemic really did make me realise there's no point trying to swim against the current and to just ride the wave and see where I wash up! I too also spent a lot of time predicting my failures and unhappiness and now that we've had the "biggest" (please be the biggest) curve ball of our life as a global community I think I'm definitely going to just enjoy the moment and like you said "let life happen". It's so liberating to feel like this now
There are these layers to life and we want to be able to pull them all back and know what to expect but when we peel away the layers we do not know what to expect and that can be absolutely beautiful. The rush and thrill of the unexpected will always be terrifying. But....we also LIVE for those moments. I love this channel!
It really does feel surreal hearing someone talking about interpersonal and deep conversations we often talk to ourselves about that couldn’t really be discussed often, its refreshing and i really enjoyed hearing that im not the only one. Nathaniel, to watch your videos, to me, is unwinding myself, taking time out of myself to understand the construct i built around myself and other, the way i perceive myself, the values, richness, feels, etc. Its really been a pleasure joining you on your ride. The more you question yourself and your experience, the more i can really can grow from and the more i open up to myself. Its been a pleasure, i thought living alone is a punishment, but learning more about myself is exhausting, yet rewarding. I have much to learn, thank you!
Totally agree with you. Early this year, when the pandemic occured, I took this mindset. To let flow. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have some certain goals, but to, as you said, to let life surprise you. In Spain, we call that feeling of letting go “Quitarnos un peso de encima”
I have been really enjoying just admitting that I don't have the answers. When I was growing up (I am still very much growing up but you get the idea) I always thought that I had to have an answer for everything, a fully formed opinion on what I thought was right and that if someone didn't see it my way I just wasn't explaining it well enough. But now, I find myself more often saying, "well these are my initial thoughts but I haven't really looked into this problem/idea much and I don't have all the information so I'm sure these opinions will change, but what do you think?", and then just listening. And that has been... incredibly freeing.
This philosophy reminds me of Rilke: "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
Interesting topic to talk about. I have found myself struggling to be optimistic about the future. Sometimes it is hard to accept that even when we plan things won't work out as we are expecting. And sometimes that is good, sometimes it isn't. But life is what it is, and as we have to learn how to redefine failure, we should also learn how to overcome these hard times with an optimistic mindset. Thanks :)
I love this mindset. I have found that as I age and grow I gain more and more of an awareness of how much I don’t know & how much there is out there for me yet to learn. But rather than let this scare or daunt me, I turn it into the excitement and curiosity that drives me.
I’ve watched you for over a year and every video I’m reminded why. I love how mindful you are about emotional intelligence, hearing you talk about yourself just like I do in terms of growing is the best ❤️
Due to my fear of the future and uncertainty, I've been ignoring the will to live my life fully these past few months. But I'm grateful to know this now. You said "I try bot be condescending to my past self", well I think it's useful to do it. This way I can recognize what I don't want to be, regardless of what people expect me to be. Now I'm still searching for myself while being 16yo. I would love to master again the art of being unbothered and unaffected, and being brave again. I finally feel like I'm going back to my nature, which is more calm oriented and laid back, worry free. I don't think I will ever be perfect, but I seek an existence ruled by the traits I value: braveness, eloquence, determination, challenging calmness, thick skin, knowledge (at least what I can do), and generosity. This video and many others participate in making me more aware of myself and my beliefs, and I'm eternally grateful for that.
My favorite video by you is the adventure with your friend in the little white Volkswagen. Super engaging work. A great blessing seeing two friends sharing an adventure and enjoying each other’s company.
I really couldn't agree more. This year I gave up on planning for the long run. I know where I want to see myself in like a year or so, but not further than that. And it's not like I don't have ambitions, I have HUGE ones, I just stopped putting a time and place for them. I think I don't feel as free and light as that as when I was a child
Hello, Nathan. I study a little bit of philosophy here in Brazil, and this notion of "letting life surprise you", as you explained it, reminded me some basic aspects of "Amor Fati" and the "tragic view of life" (which doens't mean having a "bad" or "sad" or "pessimistic" take on life, but actually having one that is affirmative of life in its integrity and multiplicity). Both concepts were related to stoicism and greek philosophy and were re-introduced by Nietzsche (that's how I came to across them), and both are about realizing that life, as you also put it, isn't just the funny, pleasure full, serotonin/dopamine peaks, moments, but the calm, even tedious, sad, tragic, complex, and unconfortable ones too. So... if you didn't knew this concepts, it can be an interesting dive to take - and maybe even useful to help you articulate yet more profoundly what you have already excavated in 23 years of human experience.
Hey Nathaniel Drew! I am Dre' from the Philippines and you're really inspiring me to believe in my own mental processes. Often times, I always feel like my perspectives are different from others and that I'm getting too caught up with my thoughts. People often find me optimistic and idealistic but I really do understand your contents online - we're all still students of life experiences. Following you for several months now has been validating me and my mindset. I hope you notice me all the way from Southeast, man! Kudos to you!
I'm not even sure why, but the last clip of the car rolling down made me giggle 🤭. I really liked this video, I feel like the idea of not having everything figured out is daunting, but also so very liberating. There's a difference between living in autopilot and letting life surprise you. To me, autopilot is like not doing anything, just waiting for something eternally. Letting life surprise you is doing everything you can and want in the moment, without putting so much worry into what will happen next. I also really liked the idea of being open to just talk about different perspectives. I feel that's something I have to work on. Sometimes I can't help to feel uncomfortable when faced with a different perspective, my immediate reaction is "don't try to convince me", but maybe they aren't trying to. They're just talking. Thank you for this video, Nathaniel.
It's so cool to hear you speak French so fluently! It's amazing how you mastered the language. Did you did something else in the pandemic to upgrade it as well, besides from talking with French people in real life when you could?
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve been in a huge slump recently and just feel like I’m spiralling. As I am watching this I realised that it is exactly what I need to hear right now.
The ideas you express just give me more affirmation that Carl Jungs idea of the collective unconscious. You have articulated ideas and concepts that I myself am recently coming to. This video is just another example of such. Thank you, Nathaniel, for just being you!
After every single video that you put out I feel so inspired and motivated to get up and do something fun and productive. Thank you, Nathaniel. My family and I love your videos so incredibly much! I literally binge them nearly every day. You’re just such and inspirational and funny guy! 😁
You revolutionised my life for the good, and perhaps a million others too. And the most COMFORTING fact, even you are lost like all of us. Been watching since July 2019, hope this channel grows higher.
This video resonated with me so, so much! I'm constantly battling the fear of the future and not knowing what is coming next and not having my life "Figured out!" This was just a breath of fresh air with so much wisdom and grace that we should all give to ourselves! The true magic happens when we let life surprise us and being on the journey of becoming our best selves in the process! Love your work Nathaniel!! 🙌🏻🙏🏻✨
At the same time, i feel like if i let life happen, nothing will happen, i feel the responsability of initiating every single thing in my life. It´s exhausting
Whilst you're still living in France, you should go south to Bordeaux and visit Saint-Émilion! It is an old Roman town (world heritage site) around all these vineyards on a hill and it is a RUclipsrs dream :)
You will definitely have some surprises driving around in an old Volkswagen... Your message is so true even at 50+ years old, being open to learning and humble is key, waking up excited for each day and what it will teach you. Thank you Nathaniel, for the reminder! It is easy to get caught up in our troubles
It seems so mind blowing to me when you can put such abstract concepts and ideas into words and actually do justice to them. It feels like a new part of my brain is activated everytime I come across one of these types of videos of yours. Cause I guess your content really sets you apart in the RUclips world all because of its originality, authenticity and a kind of rawness with which you share these simple yet crazy ideas with all of us. Thanks Nathan. More power to you. Keep exploring, creating and never lose that sparkle of curiosity in your eyes. 🌟💟
I feel like he is more himself and more authentic here and stuff he puts out are purer if that makes sense. I'm kinda starting to like this channel more than the original one :d
Sounds a lot like what I've been reading in Buddhism. The idea of not attaching labels to everything. Just being. Just observing life for what it is. Thanks for the video Nathaniel :)🙏 The book I've been reading- Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
I needed to hear this today, thank you Nathaniel! Have you read Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts? I love something he says: Sometimes, you have to surrender before you win. And I think this ties into what you mean when you say that you just let life surprise you. He explains that when he was in India he realized that he had to surrender to the city, to the people, in order to experience India to the fullest. He let things flow and in the process he learned a lot about other people, but mostly about himself :)
I needed this video. I'm 21 and my goals and priorities change like anything. Couldn't find anything relatable online. Btw, I don't wanna feel icky when I say this: your friend is fine. :3
I really like the room full of books where you make your videos. I find it so inspiring. Please make a video showing the collection of books you have. Thankyou
Hey Nathan! Thank you so much for this video. Lately I've been thinking the same thoughts you describe in this video. I was in a little rut this afternoon but with your video I could get out of it. I also just checked how many subscribers you have and I expectet millions because your content is so rich and the quality of your videos is really amazing!! Wish you the best day! :)
I love this! During quarantine I've found myself gravitating toward people who are open and curious and willing to let life surprise them. I'm having a hard time with the cancel culture mindset, because I'm generally a gray area thinker and I can usually see why people might feel a certain way about something even if I don't agree with it, and right now it seems like that's a bad thing. But it's hard to learn new things from people who think exactly the same things as you! I feel safer after watching this video - thanks!
Nathaniel, you are giving me so much hope and inspiration. All your videos are so interesting to me, I could be watching forever. Greetings from Vienna :)
I just realised in myself today that I love change and how much I don't know what's in the future. There aren't ways it's a lot opportunity and chance so infinity future
I really recommend the tv show Miracle Workers if you have some time to watch something that's both topical and cerebral but so beautifully funny and charming. It connects really well with what you're talking about ! :)
Loved this! I approach life in a similar way, mainly by taking it a day at a time, being open to any changes that may come, and making the best of them. I’m curious, how do you deal with or respond to people who expect you to have everything figured out?
You really should read Paulo Freire, mainly "Pedadogy of Freedom" (Pedagogia da Autonomia, em português). It has a huge connection to many things that u said in this and other videos: curiosity, freedom, life, etc.
I'm just so in love with you are your videos. Thank you soooo much for all the inspiration you provide us (especially after we all missed you on your break!)
Very interesting. I struggle with trying to control and plan the future but even the best laid plans are subject to the unexpected (for example COVID) Be open to future possibilities. Your channel is like listening to a great book illustrated by beautiful visuals. A true storyteller.
Hey Nathaniel, I'm a big fan of yours and I wanted to know if after covid ends, if you were planning to do a meetup of some sort just to casually talk before living Paris Continue your videos, always amazing content :)
Des fois j'oublie que tu parles en français aussi, which blows my mind haha. Thank you for sharing your insights on life and your brilliant ideas with us Nathan! :)
Nathaniel Drew is the only content creator that I feel like I actually gain brain cells while watching
I'm all for those brain cells!!!
@@nobackupplan lolol
@@thefernwehtype yesyes thank you... I feel ALIVE after watching her videos especially her music... Nathaniel is good too
Same 😂
In that case, might I give a quick suggestion list, just to name a few!
Tom Scott
Matt D'Avella
Academy of Ideas
Break the Twitch
exurb1a
Medlife Crisis
Steve Mould
Pursuit of Wonder
What I've learned
I highly enjoy Nathaniel's content, but there are quite a few others that bring a lot of worth, curiosity and knowledge to this platform :)
Next video: Nathaniel living out of a van...in Paris.
Loool vanlife gone wrong
pronounce Nathan like van and you've got yourself a great title there
@@hamiltonfilho5782 if it wasn't for previous "gone wild" uses I know about "van life gone wild" would sound like would just sound like a series about a hiker/outdoor enthusiasts adventures while living in a van.
Would definitely be cheaper
@@nobackupplan Buddy but we still need a video about it...
Dear Nathan, thank you for reminding me to look ahead with curiosity rather than fear. I'm finding myself worrying about the future often, because I have so many big dreams and expectations - but we have to let go of that strict image of what we think our life has to look like. Not completely, but at least to a point where we're not too attached to that in a way that's just causing stress and worries. The best things happen unexpectedly, when making decisions out of intuition instead out of overthinking. I'm challenging myself to embrace all of life with an open heart, not think everything through, but LIVE everything through. Life is too short to be scared, too magical. And I certainly don't wanna miss that magic.
Wow
Oh dear, I can feel every single word you wrote. I will keep your word as a reminder when I feel down and drowned by stress. Thank you a lot.
💘
Damn bud... Well said..
💛
I think this is the concept of "Amor Fati"
Amor fati is a Latin phrase that may be translated as "love of fate" or "love of one's fate". It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one's life, including suffering and loss, as good or, at the very least, necessary.
I really hope you see how special you are, Nat. Your light shines so bright.
2 key things: 1) a good aspiration, to see the world as a suprising wonder; spontaneity at its best 2) Nathaniel's hoodie fits him well and look 10/10
Yes I love the hoodie
I had the same thought about the hoodie. Such a great colour!
People say that your 20s are the best time of your life and I’m still waiting for that to happen... But not even Beyonce has all her sh**t together, life is just this amazing game where we lose and win and in a way it makes life interesting.
Things will work out eventually. You'll be okay.
The best advice I ever got was from my college advisor when I graduated, she said "Expect nothing". It seemed like odd advice for a 22 year old filled with great plans and expectations. But now many years later I understand that what she meant was that life throws at us many unexpected challenges and opportunities and we just need to embrace them as means to learn and grow. If you approach life as an exciting adventure then you will never be pessimistic!
I love how you have been uploading much consistently after the 1 month break😃
He is charged up..!
If you put "In search of Mental Clarity" on a hoodie I'd buy it
Straight up! That's a great idea.
It's great to hear these thoughts from someone who is my age-peer. Sometimes I forget too to be optimistic and that this situation won't be forever.
Thank you for the advice, I'll let life surprise me!
(ps I was hypnotized by your eyes)
👀
A question I've always had: are all those books in the apartment yours?
No, they are owned by the owner of the apartement. Anyway, he probably read some of them too
I'm 47 and I feel like I'm only just recently starting to get a real grip on who I am and who I want to be. Acting instead of reacting.
And yeah, you get to a point in your life when you are okay with letting other people be wrong and not trying to change their minds. Or just entertaining a different point of view.
Absolument impressionné par ton niveau de français ! T’as presque pas d’accent, c’est incroyable
Am 31 and still don't have life figured out. Being optimistic can be hard however taking time to enjoy the beauty of the world makes me happy.
I know that you’re an individual, just as every single one of us but I just wanna say, thank you thank you thank you for giving us an image of an adult that can be imperfect, make mistakes, and not have everything together. And to be more willing to expect the unexpected.
A lot of people (me included) needed this ☺️
Yes! This is something I realised over the past couple of years too! I have been trying to "arrive" at this mystical land of stability, but the destination doesn't exist. My boyfriend who is a good few years my senior believes that people change. There's this myth that we have completely new cells in our body every 7 years (some turnover much quicker). Even though the cells thing it's not exactly true, I think (especially during this time) that we can cling to the kernel of truth: the only constant is change. I'm really lucky - I'm not scared of change but I think it was because I am always trying to change to reach an idealistic place of stability/perfection. Thank you for the reminder ❤️
every time you post it's exactly what i need to hear that day. i don't know how that perfect timing keeps happening man. you a mind reader or something? got the fbi files on all your subscribers? loll but for real thank you for doing what you do
I love how things in life are always changing, and that I never really know what the future holds. It's those surprises that bring me the most joy.
I am a man of a certain age.. one who has chased adventures, dreamt many dream and have had many "quests" spiritual and otherwise. I've loved fiercely and have lived loudly. I've been brave, and I've cowered in the shadow of uncertainty. I've been watching your videos for some time now, and I find myself captivated by curiosity, and in awe of your tenacity. You are living so much for a man so young. You inspire me to take myself off of mute and take that road that I have feared for not knowing where it will lead. I find myself annoyed by those younger than I am sometimes, knowing that I have forgotten much more than a lot of them even know, but you have my utmost respect and admiration, and I'm thrilled to be inspired by you. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
I’m 43 years old and still surprised by myself sometimes. And that’s good, because it means I’m still developing, learning and growing. I would be worried (and bored too) when there would be a moment where I ‘know it all’.
Thank you for reminding me to be exited about what is yet to come and how amazingly beautiful life can be.
I’m about to be forced to move to another place, without knowing where. I have no money, no job, nothing is for certain in my life right now and I’m SCARED AS HELL. It actually gave me panic attacks recently and made me feel stressed and depressed.
But this video helped me to remember that I can perceive what is coming as an opportunity to something new and maybe even better. And above all: It is an opportunity to learn. I feel really challenged, it almost gets too much, but it’s just ‘life throwing balls at me’...
Yes, in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. And challenges make us grow. All will be well 🤍
"I was simply a version of myself with less life experience." ... I love this, such an important and gentle way of regarding our past selves ! A wonderful video as always :)
This just arrived in the right moment in my life, I'm struggling a lot with college and deciding what I'm going to do, but as he said, doesn't quite matter how many plans I do, life's gonna do what it wants, it was very comfortable
you are lucky you are still in college I just graduated and now I cant get a job anywhere because of covid
I love him! I do not mean the expression - 'He is so great. I love him'. I mean I want to see him cooking, watch him shooting outside, hear him talk in many languages, laugh at his dad jokes, and plan his adventures. He is a human version of people in fantasy books who run outside looking for adventures. He seems so great! In a world that has Tati Westbrooks, Shane Dawson, Jeffrey Stars, and Kardashians, be a Nathaniel Drew.
p.s. show your house sometime.
I'm 30 and I don't still have a concrete plan about life.
I'm jealous of his french accent... Gonna go cry and then come watch the rest of the video
I turned off Gossip Girl when I saw you posted a new video! This pandemic really did make me realise there's no point trying to swim against the current and to just ride the wave and see where I wash up! I too also spent a lot of time predicting my failures and unhappiness and now that we've had the "biggest" (please be the biggest) curve ball of our life as a global community I think I'm definitely going to just enjoy the moment and like you said "let life happen". It's so liberating to feel like this now
There are these layers to life and we want to be able to pull them all back and know what to expect but when we peel away the layers we do not know what to expect and that can be absolutely beautiful. The rush and thrill of the unexpected will always be terrifying. But....we also LIVE for those moments.
I love this channel!
It really does feel surreal hearing someone talking about interpersonal and deep conversations we often talk to ourselves about that couldn’t really be discussed often, its refreshing and i really enjoyed hearing that im not the only one. Nathaniel, to watch your videos, to me, is unwinding myself, taking time out of myself to understand the construct i built around myself and other, the way i perceive myself, the values, richness, feels, etc. Its really been a pleasure joining you on your ride. The more you question yourself and your experience, the more i can really can grow from and the more i open up to myself. Its been a pleasure, i thought living alone is a punishment, but learning more about myself is exhausting, yet rewarding. I have much to learn, thank you!
Totally agree with you. Early this year, when the pandemic occured, I took this mindset. To let flow. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have some certain goals, but to, as you said, to let life surprise you. In Spain, we call that feeling of letting go “Quitarnos un peso de encima”
I have been really enjoying just admitting that I don't have the answers. When I was growing up (I am still very much growing up but you get the idea) I always thought that I had to have an answer for everything, a fully formed opinion on what I thought was right and that if someone didn't see it my way I just wasn't explaining it well enough. But now, I find myself more often saying, "well these are my initial thoughts but I haven't really looked into this problem/idea much and I don't have all the information so I'm sure these opinions will change, but what do you think?", and then just listening. And that has been... incredibly freeing.
This philosophy reminds me of Rilke: "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
Interesting topic to talk about. I have found myself struggling to be optimistic about the future. Sometimes it is hard to accept that even when we plan things won't work out as we are expecting. And sometimes that is good, sometimes it isn't. But life is what it is, and as we have to learn how to redefine failure, we should also learn how to overcome these hard times with an optimistic mindset. Thanks :)
I love this mindset. I have found that as I age and grow I gain more and more of an awareness of how much I don’t know & how much there is out there for me yet to learn. But rather than let this scare or daunt me, I turn it into the excitement and curiosity that drives me.
A message of hope that is essentially timeless.
I’ve watched you for over a year and every video I’m reminded why. I love how mindful you are about emotional intelligence, hearing you talk about yourself just like I do in terms of growing is the best ❤️
Due to my fear of the future and uncertainty, I've been ignoring the will to live my life fully these past few months. But I'm grateful to know this now.
You said "I try bot be condescending to my past self", well I think it's useful to do it. This way I can recognize what I don't want to be, regardless of what people expect me to be.
Now I'm still searching for myself while being 16yo. I would love to master again the art of being unbothered and unaffected, and being brave again. I finally feel like I'm going back to my nature, which is more calm oriented and laid back, worry free. I don't think I will ever be perfect, but I seek an existence ruled by the traits I value: braveness, eloquence, determination, challenging calmness, thick skin, knowledge (at least what I can do), and generosity.
This video and many others participate in making me more aware of myself and my beliefs, and I'm eternally grateful for that.
My favorite video by you is the adventure with your friend in the little white Volkswagen. Super engaging work. A great blessing seeing two friends sharing an adventure and enjoying each other’s company.
I really couldn't agree more. This year I gave up on planning for the long run. I know where I want to see myself in like a year or so, but not further than that. And it's not like I don't have ambitions, I have HUGE ones, I just stopped putting a time and place for them. I think I don't feel as free and light as that as when I was a child
Hello, Nathan. I study a little bit of philosophy here in Brazil, and this notion of "letting life surprise you", as you explained it, reminded me some basic aspects of "Amor Fati" and the "tragic view of life" (which doens't mean having a "bad" or "sad" or "pessimistic" take on life, but actually having one that is affirmative of life in its integrity and multiplicity).
Both concepts were related to stoicism and greek philosophy and were re-introduced by Nietzsche (that's how I came to across them), and both are about realizing that life, as you also put it, isn't just the funny, pleasure full, serotonin/dopamine peaks, moments, but the calm, even tedious, sad, tragic, complex, and unconfortable ones too.
So... if you didn't knew this concepts, it can be an interesting dive to take - and maybe even useful to help you articulate yet more profoundly what you have already excavated in 23 years of human experience.
Hey Nathaniel Drew! I am Dre' from the Philippines and you're really inspiring me to believe in my own mental processes. Often times, I always feel like my perspectives are different from others and that I'm getting too caught up with my thoughts. People often find me optimistic and idealistic but I really do understand your contents online - we're all still students of life experiences. Following you for several months now has been validating me and my mindset. I hope you notice me all the way from Southeast, man! Kudos to you!
Ooooh that french ! It's impressive how it's accent free !
I'm not even sure why, but the last clip of the car rolling down made me giggle 🤭.
I really liked this video, I feel like the idea of not having everything figured out is daunting, but also so very liberating. There's a difference between living in autopilot and letting life surprise you. To me, autopilot is like not doing anything, just waiting for something eternally. Letting life surprise you is doing everything you can and want in the moment, without putting so much worry into what will happen next.
I also really liked the idea of being open to just talk about different perspectives. I feel that's something I have to work on. Sometimes I can't help to feel uncomfortable when faced with a different perspective, my immediate reaction is "don't try to convince me", but maybe they aren't trying to. They're just talking.
Thank you for this video, Nathaniel.
It's so cool to hear you speak French so fluently! It's amazing how you mastered the language. Did you did something else in the pandemic to upgrade it as well, besides from talking with French people in real life when you could?
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve been in a huge slump recently and just feel like I’m spiralling. As I am watching this I realised that it is exactly what I need to hear right now.
The ideas you express just give me more affirmation that Carl Jungs idea of the collective unconscious. You have articulated ideas and concepts that I myself am recently coming to. This video is just another example of such. Thank you, Nathaniel, for just being you!
After every single video that you put out I feel so inspired and motivated to get up and do something fun and productive. Thank you, Nathaniel. My family and I love your videos so incredibly much! I literally binge them nearly every day. You’re just such and inspirational and funny guy! 😁
You revolutionised my life for the good, and perhaps a million others too. And the most COMFORTING fact, even you are lost like all of us.
Been watching since July 2019, hope this channel grows higher.
This video resonated with me so, so much! I'm constantly battling the fear of the future and not knowing what is coming next and not having my life "Figured out!" This was just a breath of fresh air with so much wisdom and grace that we should all give to ourselves! The true magic happens when we let life surprise us and being on the journey of becoming our best selves in the process! Love your work Nathaniel!! 🙌🏻🙏🏻✨
At the same time, i feel like if i let life happen, nothing will happen, i feel the responsability of initiating every single thing in my life. It´s exhausting
Whilst you're still living in France, you should go south to Bordeaux and visit Saint-Émilion! It is an old Roman town (world heritage site) around all these vineyards on a hill and it is a RUclipsrs dream :)
You will definitely have some surprises driving around in an old Volkswagen... Your message is so true even at 50+ years old, being open to learning and humble is key, waking up excited for each day and what it will teach you. Thank you Nathaniel, for the reminder! It is easy to get caught up in our troubles
been feelin' this so much! resisting facts only leads to suffering.
Stay optimistic! ❤
Whenever I watch one of your videos, I leave more inspired, more hopeful and wanting to learn more. Thank you, it's truly magical
yes right sometimes it is crazy to not knowing who you gonna meet and whats gonna be
The only constant of life is... change. That is so true.
Straight up!
Yup. It is what it is. My tag line!
If things don’t go our way, we can accept them. It’s living.
I love your content, especially as of late. Thank you!
It seems so mind blowing to me when you can put such abstract concepts and ideas into words and actually do justice to them. It feels like a new part of my brain is activated everytime I come across one of these types of videos of yours. Cause I guess your content really sets you apart in the RUclips world all because of its originality, authenticity and a kind of rawness with which you share these simple yet crazy ideas with all of us. Thanks Nathan. More power to you. Keep exploring, creating and never lose that sparkle of curiosity in your eyes. 🌟💟
I so much needed to hear THIS today!!! Thank you 🙏🏻
I feel like he is more himself and more authentic here and stuff he puts out are purer if that makes sense. I'm kinda starting to like this channel more than the original one :d
Sounds a lot like what I've been reading in Buddhism. The idea of not attaching labels to everything. Just being. Just observing life for what it is.
Thanks for the video Nathaniel :)🙏
The book I've been reading-
Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom
by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
1:19 : "I am, (you are) we are" .... EXCEPTIONAL, exceptionalllllll
This is my favorite video by him. So well said and filmed.
I needed to hear this today, thank you Nathaniel! Have you read Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts? I love something he says: Sometimes, you have to surrender before you win. And I think this ties into what you mean when you say that you just let life surprise you. He explains that when he was in India he realized that he had to surrender to the city, to the people, in order to experience India to the fullest. He let things flow and in the process he learned a lot about other people, but mostly about himself :)
I really like how the more "vloging" part of the video is perfectly blending with the subject of the face cam part :)
I needed this video. I'm 21 and my goals and priorities change like anything. Couldn't find anything relatable online.
Btw, I don't wanna feel icky when I say this: your friend is fine. :3
I really like the room full of books where you make your videos. I find it so inspiring. Please make a video showing the collection of books you have. Thankyou
Sometimes we all feel lost in life.
Keep looking forward and keep your eyes out for new adventures and opportunities
Hey Nathan! Thank you so much for this video. Lately I've been thinking the same thoughts you describe in this video. I was in a little rut this afternoon but with your video I could get out of it. I also just checked how many subscribers you have and I expectet millions because your content is so rich and the quality of your videos is really amazing!! Wish you the best day! :)
I love how all of your content seems so organic and relateable❤ Great work mate, just like always!!!
I love this! During quarantine I've found myself gravitating toward people who are open and curious and willing to let life surprise them. I'm having a hard time with the cancel culture mindset, because I'm generally a gray area thinker and I can usually see why people might feel a certain way about something even if I don't agree with it, and right now it seems like that's a bad thing. But it's hard to learn new things from people who think exactly the same things as you! I feel safer after watching this video - thanks!
So Nathan parle français. My life is now whole and complete.
this is so useful,
thank you Nathan !
love from Malaysia ❤
I’m in a temporary work assignment and I needed to hear this. Thank you!
This channel is the best thing to have happened. Keep more of this content coming!
On it!! (thank you)
Nathaniel, you are giving me so much hope and inspiration. All your videos are so interesting to me, I could be watching forever. Greetings from Vienna :)
Gregsway is great and I was so stoked to see you in one of his videos. I was wondering if you were going to use any footage from that adventure
I just realised in myself today that I love change and how much I don't know what's in the future. There aren't ways it's a lot opportunity and chance so infinity future
Dude this may surprise you but this is the my favourite video from you, across both channels. Most insight I’ve had from RUclips in a bit
Peace
You are my biggest inspiration....I love you and your content play don't never stop making these
I really recommend the tv show Miracle Workers if you have some time to watch something that's both topical and cerebral but so beautifully funny and charming. It connects really well with what you're talking about ! :)
Dude whenever I have a thought about something and I come up with a problem, you came up with a video about the topic... hilarious
Loved this! I approach life in a similar way, mainly by taking it a day at a time, being open to any changes that may come, and making the best of them. I’m curious, how do you deal with or respond to people who expect you to have everything figured out?
I tell them no one has it all figured out!
@@nobackupplan so true though. Thank you for the response!
3:31 😂
He teaches us how to eject our difficulties, it also make our mind free
@@fachrizalahmadharyorxmipa4778 that's right, I'll try it sometime. lol
Pretending hulk
i like to fall asleep listening to your videos.... they’re always so soothing and relaxing 😌
You really should read Paulo Freire, mainly "Pedadogy of Freedom" (Pedagogia da Autonomia, em português). It has a huge connection to many things that u said in this and other videos: curiosity, freedom, life, etc.
u did it again and read my mind.
u're seriously changing my life❤
I'm just so in love with you are your videos. Thank you soooo much for all the inspiration you provide us (especially after we all missed you on your break!)
Very interesting. I struggle with trying to control and plan the future but even the best laid plans are subject to the unexpected (for example COVID) Be open to future possibilities.
Your channel is like listening to a great book illustrated by beautiful visuals. A true storyteller.
Your french is amazing I’m pretty impressed actually
I really could listen to u for hours. Amazing content and it's getting kinda weird that u put these videos out right when I need them haha
man I love this guy.
Hey Nathaniel, I'm a big fan of yours and I wanted to know if after covid ends, if you were planning to do a meetup of some sort just to casually talk before living Paris
Continue your videos, always amazing content :)
The camera quality of your videos is so amazing 📸
Literally flexing with your french here 😂👌🏻👌🏻
Love your perspective on meaningful conversation- it reminds me of the Rich roll podcast
Not being condescending to your former self. That resonates, I do that a lot. Thanks for the perspective.
Des fois j'oublie que tu parles en français aussi, which blows my mind haha. Thank you for sharing your insights on life and your brilliant ideas with us Nathan! :)
Loved this vid. thank you. I can sense the very level headed approach