If Life Was a Movie
February 26th, 2025
Photo: Libby Zufi
Writer: Violeta Neuman
Editor: Talia Kohn
There are moments in life that feel straight out of a movie - a breakup in the rain at night, spontaneously meeting someone who changes your life, or moving out of your childhood home. It’s moments like these that are so cinematic it feels like a song should be playing in the background. Like scenes in a film, they often mark turning points in life. And just like in a movie, we never really know what is going to happen next. Moments like these make you reflect on the movie that is your own life. Are you the one writing the script, are you part of the cast, or are you simply improvising as you go? Do we control our narrative, or are we working with the script that was handed to us?
Sometimes, life feels like we are behind the scenes, writing the script and choosing the direction we want to take. Every decision - big or small - is what shapes your story. From deciding where you are going to college, leaving or beginning relationships, and where you live, each choice builds the narrative of your life. Think about the moments where you truly have the ultimate decision: what is driving you, what is influencing you? Is it fear? Expectation? What makes these decisions so meaningful is not only the outcome but how you face the uncertainty that comes with them. Writing your script and being the author of your life means embracing the power and responsibility of creating your journey.
Other times in life you are simply handed a script you did not choose. You become the cast in your movie, and you step into the role, playing it whichever way you would like. At this point, you are not the writer anymore. Life has a way of throwing crazy plot twists at us and kicking us when we are down. Sometimes they are as tragic as a sudden loss, or sometimes they are as beautiful as an unexpected love. It is the way that you react and adapt to these twists that determine your role. Maybe you did not write the scene as you would have liked it, but you are the only one who can play it. Being a part of the cast also creates the importance of your relationships with the other characters. Every interaction shapes the relationships that would define your story arc, and every connection—whether fleeting or lifelong—would add depth to your role. Your friends, family, and peers become your co-stars, supporting characters, and maybe even antagonists. How do you support others' storylines while staying true to your own? How can you help other characters through their unwritten scripts? More times than not it's these unwarranted unscripted moments where we can find our greatest growth.
Lastly, while all of this might seem complicated and concrete, life unfolds in the moments where control slips away. It’s the beauty of improvisation. These are the spontaneous decisions: embarking on an exciting adventure, striking up a meaningful conversation, or taking a risk that pays off in surprising ways. It’s in these moments, free from overthinking, that you discover the joy of veering off the script, trusting yourself, and allowing the moment to shape you instead of trying to shape it.
So, what role do we play? The truth is, we are both the writers and the cast of our own lives. Sometimes, we write with intention, set goals, and see everything fall into place. Other times, we are faced with plot twists we never saw coming and are forced to adapt. Life is not about having a perfect script, being an amazing actor, or having a flawless cast. It is about turning challenges into opportunities - healing from loss with love, learning from failure, and embracing uncertainty. At the end of the day, your life is your story. So, if life were a movie how would you act? How do your decisions shape you and how do you navigate the unexpected? You’re the main character - play your role with everything you’ve got.
