If my life were a movie, the opening scene would be one of those sweeping drone shots over the jagged peaks of the Idaho Panhandle, the camera dipping low over pine trees swaying like they’re in a choreographed dance. There’d be a fog-kissed lake—Coeur d’Alene in all her glassy glory—and me, perched on an old dock sipping coffee from a hand-thrown ceramic mug, lost in thought. Very indie drama, very Sundance, right? Cue the rising strains of a The Decemberists song, probably “June Hymn.” But what kind of story would unfold after the opening credits? And who—oh, who—would I cast to play the major roles of my life so far?

Turns out, daydreaming about the cinematized version of your life isn’t just a fun distraction, it’s also an exercise in self-reflection. (Like journaling, but with an imaginary director’s chair.) So let me take you behind the scenes of this “production,” complete with an all-star cast, gratuitous nature shots, and maybe one poorly timed rom-com montage. Ready? Lights, camera, action!

The Protagonist: Me, Naturally

Let’s get the big question out of the way: Who plays me? While it’s tempting to go for someone effortlessly cool like Saoirse Ronan, I think a young Rachel McAdams would be better for the role. She’s approachable, a little awkward, but has a depth that sneaks up on you, which feels…on brand. Plus, she can sticky-note the entire emotional register of rural heartbreak, existential angst, and nature-induced joy without laying it on too thick—qualities I’d argue are essential for nailing the “Avery Townsend” vibe.

Now, my hypothetical movie version of myself would lean heavily into the quirks. Think: a writer who carves out time to catalogue potential bear sightings, keeps at least four dog-eared paperbacks on her bedside table, and doesn’t own a single pair of matching socks. You’d see her scribbling stories in a thrifted journal on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene while nursing a secret crush on the barista who makes her Americano extra bold. Spoiler: it's all very relatable small-town chaos.

The Love Interests: Navigating the “Charming Yet Deeply Chaotic” Archetype

Every good movie has a romantic subplot, right? And after a few laughably bad dates and one actual meet-disaster (involving spilled kombucha and a rescue dog who refused to cooperate), my movie wouldn’t disappoint.

But here’s the thing—they couldn’t just cast anyone as the love interests. No, no, my fictional romantic leads would need an intensity that teeters between “completely captivating” and “needs therapy, stat.” Enter Dev Patel and Chris Pine for the roles. Hear me out.

Dev Patel: The "what if?" love. He’s the guy you meet while hiking, looking unjustifiably attractive while tying a climbing knot. (My actual dating history includes precisely zero climbers, but it's my fictional life—go with it.) Dev would have that earnest, deeply soulful energy that makes you reexamine your entire worldview after one coffee date. He’s the kind of guy whose text punctuation makes you swoon, but he’s far too involved in his eco-documentary film project to notice. A tragic waste of a crush? Of course. Essential for the plot? Also yes.

Chris Pine: The wildcard. He’s less “nature boy” and more “someone dragged him on a camping trip against his will.” Maybe he’s got perfectly windswept hair that doesn’t care about the humidity of the Pacific Northwest, which should be enough to alienate him…but somehow, he becomes endearing over a campfire discussion about which pets are more emotionally manipulative: dogs or cats. Spoiler: it’s cats.

Both would provide the kind of romantic tension that reminds you life doesn’t always deliver meet-cute after meet-cute. Sometimes, it hands you a soggy granola bar and steals your phone signal on remote mountaintops. (Although, full disclosure, the soggy granola bar was probably my fault.)

Supporting Cast: The Real MVPs

A movie about my life wouldn’t be complete without the friends, family, and one strange but beloved neighbor who show up to either complicate or enrich the story.

  1. Mom Mentor, Played by Amy Adams: My mom is the low-key straw-that-stirs-the-drink type, but she’s also a walking encyclopedia of plant species and has an impressive skill for subtweet-level wisdom. Think Amy Adams in Julie & Julia, steadily doling out life advice in the form of pie recipes and hammered-together birdhouses.

  2. The Sarcastic Best Friend, Played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge: Every indie drama needs someone unafraid to call out the protagonist’s nonsense while chain-eating Cheez-Its on your couch, right? Phoebe would be here for every disastrous date recap, punctuating her moral support with dangerously accurate impressions of my romantic missteps. (Like sliding off a dock mid-flirtation, which actually happened. Twice.)

  3. Neighbor Who Knows Too Much, Played by Bill Murray: You don’t cast Bill Murray. He just appears in half-buttoned flannel shirts, inexplicably holding a fishing rod…despite nobody living here having seen a fish in years. Bill Murray’s character would somehow know I forgot to lock my car doors again and mysteriously leave tomatoes on my porch in exchange for cryptic small-town wisdom. (“What’s the difference between love and fishing bait? Trick question. There is none.”)

That One Cinematic Misstep: The Montage

Every life movie stumbles into at least one montage, and mine would be the inevitably awkward “flirting while doing outdoorsy things” one. Imagine me valiantly trying to light a fire (unsuccessfully) while someone attractive chuckles softly from three feet away. Or the horror of my attempt to reel in a trout that somehow morphs into an overgrown branch. This sequence ends with a perfectly timed trip-and-fall scenario because I’m built for comedic pivot moments, not grace.

Themes: Finding Love in Nature's Chaos

If there’s one thing the film version of my life does well, it’s highlighting how the natural world is the ultimate third character in any love story. Hiking dates aren’t optional here, they’re the proving grounds. If someone can’t admire a Douglas fir or humorously name constellations during a stargazing session, it’s pretty obvious they’re not The One.

But beyond the woodsy undertones, this movie isn’t just about swooning over soulful glances—it’s about something bigger. About recognizing that relationships, much like lakefronts or mountain ranges, take maintenance. They demand patience, a certain reverence, and the ability to appreciate the little imperfections (like mosquitoes or mismatched camping chairs) for what they are: reminders to laugh at life’s inherent messiness.

The Takeaway: Your Movie is Waiting

So maybe your version of this movie looks nothing like mine. Maybe yours features Vanessa Hudgens as your sunnier, cooler stand-in, or Timothée Chalamet as the mysterious character who whispers a single life-changing sentence during act two. That’s the beauty of imagining your life as a film—not just looking backward but figuring out which scenes and characters you want to write into your story next.

The real takeaway? Don’t stress the casting or the soundtrack or even the occasional bad montage. Just make sure you’re telling a story worth rewatching—full of messy, wonderful connections. And, you know, maybe always carry a second granola bar in case the first one gets soggy. That’s just good life advice, on or off-camera.