Embracing the Hard Stuff: The Hemingway Approach

Ernest Hemingway famously said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” It’s brutal, honest, and painfully accurate—not just for writing, but for life. There’s a lesson buried in that simplicity: sometimes, the point isn’t to avoid the difficulty, but to step into it.

In a world obsessed with biohacking and shortcuts, it’s easy to get swept up in the pursuit of efficiency.

We microdose, optimize, and stack our habits, all in the name of dodging discomfort. And sure, some of that has its place. But here’s the thing: there’s a reason Hemingway didn’t suggest a “Top 5 Hacks for Effortless Writing” instead of bleeding at the typewriter. Some things aren’t meant to be easy.

Life’s meaningful pursuits—whether it’s writing, lifting, or simply becoming a better human—demand struggle. Avoiding the hard stuff might make the process more efficient, but it robs us of the transformation that comes with embracing it. The best lifts are the heavy ones, the most profound ideas come after hours of frustration, and the biggest growth happens when we stop looking for an escape hatch.

It’s not about glorifying suffering, but recognizing its role. You don’t sit down at the typewriter because you love bleeding—you do it because what’s on the other side is worth it. The discomfort is the cost of entry, and sometimes, the only way forward is through.