If My Life Were a Movie
Opening Scene: A Star in the Making
Imagine it: the curtains lift, and the first shot opens on rolling red deserts under a sweltering Arizona sun. That’s where it all began—my childhood on the Navajo Nation reservation. My grandmother’s frybread is sizzling in the background, my cousins are chasing each other around the sheep corral, and I’m eight years old, already imagining my life as an Academy Award-worthy story. My big break? School talent shows. My audience? My never-impressed baby brother, conspicuously munching on a snickerdoodle.
Fast forward a few decades, and I’ve swapped dirt roads for cobblestones in New England, pueblos for Portland coffeehouses. If my life were a movie, it would be an indie dramedy with sweeping landscapes, awkward rom-com moments, and just enough grit for critics to call it “raw yet hopeful.” Naturally, I’ve spent way too much time dreaming up my dream cast. My life might not have the polish of Hollywood, but it’s got heart—and a few lessons you might just relate to along the way.
The Lead: Playing Me, Awkward and Unapologetically Real
Let’s be honest: casting yourself is the most nerve-wracking part. Who captures my quietly chaotic mix of introversion and “oh no, the karaoke mic is in my hands now” energy? The clear choice is Lily Gladstone—you might have seen her in Killers of the Flower Moon. She’s the perfect combo of Navajo-ish authenticity, understated brilliance, and “I swear I’m overthinking about whether I ordered enough guacamole for the party” charm.
Like her, I lean more toward quiet confidence rather than in-your-face flair. But trust me, I’d absolutely have my clumsy moments onscreen, like habitually tripping over the curb when I finally catch someone’s eye on a first date. Life isn’t glamorous, folks—it’s finding grace in spilled coffee and sarcastic comebacks because you didn’t know what else to say.
The Love Interests: A Rom-Com With (Too) Many Subplots
Let’s be honest: every good movie has some love drama. And in the cinematic retelling of my life, we’ve got a wide array of potential heartthrobs. Here’s how I’d cast the real-life roles:
The First Crush:
Played by literally any overhyped boy band member from the early 2000s. They didn’t even have to play an instrument. My first crush was basically whoever had the shiniest hair at the time. He’d make a quick cameo in the beginning: “Hey, remember when I broke your heart in algebra class? Didn’t think so—good seeing you!”
The Almost Relationship Europe Edition:
A brooding, artsy guy with the mysterious charm of Timothée Chalamet but somehow even less communicative. Maybe we met on a study abroad trip to New Mexico pueblos, locked eyes over roasted chiles, and appreciated one another’s vibes (whatever that means) without saying much. But hey, not all loves are meant to last longer than 200 calories of tamales.
The Soulmate-in-Waiting:
Hear me out—Lakeith Stanfield. He’s got the depth, the humor, and that “I’m low-key emotionally stable but still cool and poetic” vibe every indie flick needs in its leading man. In the movie, he’d show up when I least expect it, probably while I’m choking on trail mix in line somewhere far-too-normal, like REI. Because that’s life—it hits you when you’re human, not shiny.
Supporting Roles: Build Your Dream Community Cast
The hero’s journey isn’t just about love interests—it’s about finding your people. My friends, family, and mentors deserve their own spotlight too.
Grandma, the Scene-Stealer:
My grandmother always said, “If you can’t laugh after falling off a horse, you better just stay on the ground.” Her wisdom was wrapped in humor, and nobody could eyeball you into respecting your elders quite like she could. In my movie, she’d be played by Tantoo Cardinal, who has that perfect mix of warmth, sass, and unshakable strength. She’d steal every scene with perfectly timed quips, even while chopping onions.
The Group Chat Friends:
Every protagonist needs a crew of quirky friends who send memes when they should be working. Mine would be played by a diverse mix of easy-to-love actors: Awkwafina for her chaotic energy, Taika Waititi as the dry comedic wildcard, and an energy healer moonlighting as Natasha Lyonne (even though she’s Jewish, not Diné). Every breakup, every weird hinge message—they’re there with popcorn and questionable advice.
Plot Devices: The Peaks and Valleys
No movie is worth its salt without a few dramatic highs and humbling lows. My narrative plays like a mix of survival story and slow-burn coming-of-age film, with just the right sprinkling of romantic hijinks.
Montage: The College Years
Cue a montage of 2 a.m. study sessions fueled by stolen cafeteria coffee, culturally confused Northeast roommates introducing me to Sufjan Stevens, and attempting to flirt by mispronouncing someone’s name in French 101. Spoiler: I didn’t ace that class, but I did learn the universal rule of bad first dates: always research your getaway excuse in advance.
That One Heart-Wrenching Breakup:
It happens to the best of us. I’ll never forget sitting on my porch with a bag of chocolate-covered pretzels, watching a thunderstorm roll in as my heart cracked open for the first time. Time slowed, and Fleetwood Mac played softly in the background (in my imagination—though in reality, it might’ve been Shania Twain). It wasn’t about the breakup itself but what I learned after: loving hard means risking harder.
Lessons Learned & Produced by Life
If there’s one takeaway from this hypothetical movie, it’s this: relationships—platonic, romantic, or family-driven—are where the magic happens. You don’t need to follow a perfect script to live a story worth telling. As my grandmother used to say, “You’re here to make footprints, not to erase them.”
So my advice, whether you’re navigating your first crush or a 15-year marriage, is this: Show up as yourself. Yes, even if that means accidentally deleting their number while trying to save it (been there). Love isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection—and laughing when things go hilariously wrong.
Closing Credits: You as the Star
Who would you cast to play you? What’s the soundtrack to your life? Whatever the answers, don’t wait for someone else to yell “Action!” The world needs your story—quirks, awkward moments, and all.
