Some things in life are negotiable. That extra latte you grab on a Monday morning? Optional. Folding your laundry the same day you wash it? Could go either way. But there’s a short list of essentials I hold onto like a grizzly clutching his last salmon of the season. These aren’t just items—they’re threads in the fabric of my life. And while nobody’s here to argue everyone needs a pair of trail-worn boots or an appreciation for CCR’s greatest hits, I’m convinced we all have things we can’t live without. Here are mine—quirky, heartfelt, and absolutely non-negotiable.
1. My Leather Journal: The Memory Keeper
Back when I was a park ranger, I started carrying a leather-bound journal to scribble notes about bison migration patterns or unforgettable sunsets over the Tetons. Then, it became so much more than that. These days, it’s where I jot down everything: stories I’ll never tell, wildlife sketches, and yes, even the embarrassing moments of my love life. (Spoiler: I once serenaded someone with "Bad Moon Rising." It didn’t land.)
Why it’s essential? Because memory is slippery, and having a place to anchor your thoughts is priceless. A journal doesn’t judge, doesn’t interrupt, and—it has to be said—won’t ghost you. Whether you’re healing after a breakup or cataloging the weird things people say on first dates (“I only drink water from Fiji”), your thoughts deserve space to exist.
Recommendation: Get your hands on a sturdy journal that feels like it belongs in an Indiana Jones movie. Trust me, crossing things out feels ten times more satisfying on real pages than on some app.
2. A Reliable Pair of Boots
I don’t care if you’re striding into the office or climbing a ridge; everyone needs a good, solid pair of boots. Mine have carried me through summer thunderstorms, awkward family reunions, and one particularly memorable date where her idea of hiking was “a spa in Jackson overlooking a meadow.” Was it a misunderstanding? Sure. Did the boots still look cooler than her pristine designer sandals? Absolutely.
Boots are your wingman in life. They’re sturdy, dependable, and they won’t leave your feet blistered when the going gets rough—unlike that one relationship you’re definitely over now.
Pro Tip: Invest in a pair that’s already broken in, or prepare to spend a week walking like you’ve just gotten off a horse.
3. The Soundtrack to My Life
Picture this: It’s early morning, the mountains are still wrapped in mist, and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” is playing while you sip your first cup of coffee. If serenity had a sound, that’d be it. Music isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a portal to your past and fuel for your future. For me, artists like CCR and John Prine are the campfire storytellers that remind me to slow down, loosen up, and laugh at myself a little more.
And let’s be honest—music’s also your secret weapon in love. The right playlist on a road trip? Chemistry. Introducing someone to your favorite band? A compatibility test in disguise. If they don’t flinch when you belt out the wrong lyrics at full volume, they might just be a keeper.
4. A Well-Worn Flannel Shirt
Flannel shirts are like relationships: The good ones get better with time, and the bad ones? Well, they shrink in the wash and lose their color. My favorite flannel is older than some relationships I’ve been in, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been torn mending fences, smeared with coffee, and even survived one ill-advised experiment with a wood-burning stove. (Pro tip: Don’t lean on very hot things.)
There’s something grounding about old, reliable clothing, like knowing a part of you stays anchored no matter how hectic life gets.
The takeaway? Relationships—and clothes—don’t need to be perfect. They just need to feel right.
5. Coffee: The Liquid Optimism
I once dated someone who hated coffee. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but let’s just say I’ve never felt more misunderstood. Coffee is more than a drink—it’s a ritual, a conversation starter, and, occasionally, the mediator between my brain and my heart when life gets complicated.
On early mornings at the ranch, it was cowboy coffee brewed over a fire, thick and gritty enough to make you reconsider all your choices. These days, it’s a smoother cup with a bit of honey—but the symbolism stays the same. Every sip says, “You’ve got this.”
So yes, coffee is essential. It’s probably keeping the world turning.
6. A Pocketknife (Because, Duh)
No, this isn’t me trying to flex my rugged side. A pocketknife is just ridiculously practical. Mine’s carved apples on road trips, fixed busted zippers, and once, disastrously, tried to whittle a heart out of a tree branch for an anniversary gift. (Let’s sum it up as “a learning experience.”)
On a deeper level, a pocketknife represents being prepared for whatever life throws at you—be it tangled fishing line or an awkward silence. With the right tools, even the messiest situations can be handled with a bit more grace.
7. A Sense of Adventure
Now, consider this last one a bit more abstract, but maybe the most crucial. Adventure isn’t just about going somewhere new—it’s about saying yes to the weird, wild opportunities that shake you out of your comfort zone. It’s what led me to plunge into Costa Rican rivers during a conservation stint. It’s also probably why I agreed to salsa dancing lessons once despite having two left feet (and just to clarify, salsa with chips? Yes. Salsa in shoes? A challenge.)
When it comes to relationships, a shared sense of adventure might be one of the most magnetic forces there is. It’s not about liking the same things—it’s about being willing to try something new side by side. And let’s face it: The best stories begin with “So, there was this time when…”
Final Thoughts: Build a Life, Not Just a List
The things I can’t live without might seem simple—boots, music, coffee—but they’ve become cornerstones in how I connect with life, love, and the people around me. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one whose essentials tell a bigger story.
If there’s a takeaway here, it’s this: Whatever your “can’t live withouts” are, embrace them unapologetically. Whether it’s a favorite beat-up hoodie or the habit of texting “goodnight” to your best friend, those little things aren’t little at all. They’re what make you, you.
So, here’s the challenge: Take an hour today to think about your own essentials. What keeps your world spinning? Not just what you own, but the rituals, memories, and quirks you can’t let go of. Chances are, those are the keys to understanding not just yourself, but what you need most in the connections you build.
And if nothing else? You’ll at least have a cool list to break out on a first date.
