Life Isn’t Mario Bros, It’s Minecraft

No final boss. No finish line. Just the ongoing work of building and becoming.

Author

Clay Garrett
August 28th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

In partnership with

Morning—Clay here.

When I was younger, I thought life came with a finish line. Midlife has taught me something different: there’s no arrival, just the ongoing work of building and becoming. Today’s Kindling is about letting go of “there” and showing up for “here.”

Life Isn’t Mario, It’s Minecraft

The continuing series: Things I’ve Learned in the First Quarter of Middle Age (That I Probably Should’ve Already Known).

When I was younger, I thought life worked like a video game.
Beat one level, move to the next—better job, bigger house, more stability.

But here’s the truth: there’s no final level. No moment where you beat the boss, roll the credits, and put the controller down.

Life’s less like Mario and more like Minecraft. Or, if you’re my age, Sim City. You don’t win. You build.

And building never really ends. There’s always another lesson to learn, a relationship to deepen, an adventure to have.

At first, that can feel discouraging… like you’ll never “arrive.” But once you see it, it’s actually freeing. Because the whole point isn’t arrival. It’s creation. Growth. Presence.

You don’t win the game of life. You just keep building.

Quote of the Week

❝

Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.

— Steven Pressfield

The heart of Pressfield’s quote is simple: there’s no finish line, no arrival—just the ongoing work of building and becoming.

And if it isn’t obvious by now (this is the fourth time I’ve referenced him in as many months), I really think Pressfield’s work is worth reading.

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Resources worth your time

The Second Mountain by David Brooks explores what happens after you realize success and achievement aren’t the final destination. He calls the next stage “the second mountain”—a life built on meaning, relationships, and service. It’s a thoughtful guide for anyone who’s tired of chasing “arrival” and ready to start building something deeper.

Until next time—
Keep the fires burning,
— Clay

P.S. Know someone who needs this? Forward it to a friend. 🔥

If you like Campfire Gentleman, here are a few other newsletters I actually read.