Ev Bogue: Theories or Experiences?

Ev Bogue talks about two types of writers:

The first writer has theories about everything. They’re making up their own philosophy about how the world works, and then telling everyone about it.

The second writer has conducted experiments and can tell from experience.

I’d like to think I write from experience, but seeing as I’m only 24 years old, my theories will probably change as I grow older. I can’t say definitively whether my theories are correct, and I don’t claim that they are. What I can say, however, is that my theories work for me now at 24.

One of my theories is that simplicity helps to create a calmer and happier life. Based on my experience with trying to implement simplicity, that’s true. Right now, simplicity works for me. Maybe it won’t at some point in the future, but at this point, it does.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, or that my way is the best way. All of the advice I offer here is really advice I’m giving myself. I’m thinking aloud, so to speak. I’m saying, “Here’s a problem. Here’s what I’ve tried that has worked or not worked. Maybe that information will be useful to you, too.”

As time goes on, I’ll only gain more experience with which to support or adjust my theories.