In late June of 2024, I launched Kudos. Fueled by a passion to become a better writer and kicked into gear by a great mentor, this Substack came to life. I committed to posting every two weeks, and after a year, I haven’t missed a beat.
Looking to the future, I plan to continue this biweekly writing exercise. I hope to settle deeper into my voice and firmly identify what I bring to the table as a writer.
Some light housekeeping…
For those of y’all gracious enough to support my work financially: your subscription may be on auto-renewal. I’d hate for you to be automatically charged against your will, so I recommend checking when you switched to a paid subscription and keeping an eye out for an email notifying you that your subscription will renew soon. If you have any issues, just reply to this email—I’d love to help.
What I’ve learned.
Work hard, have fun. Everywhere I look in life, this message comes roaring through. Writing is hard, but it is also incredibly fun. It is a powerful release of emotion unlike anything else. To think and then write those thoughts is a seemingly simple process, but once you make the attempt, it can feel daunting. However, as you sit with those thoughts, and settle into the magic carpet ride of your inner consciousness, something beautiful happens. You find a flow—no different than a perfect turn in fresh powder—that moves you to create something beautiful.
Let’s run through some of my favorite posts from the past year. If you recently subscribed to Kudos, maybe check these out.
Also, if you have a favorite edition of Kudus, please let me know in the comments :)
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The “best-performing” post of the past year was Outlook Cove. This personal narrative of my time in Kodiak, Alaska—helping with my friend Sydney's commercial fishing operation—was a blast to write. It’s a long post, but that hasn’t seemed to dissuade people from reading.
Not only can you clean the dirt off in a banya, you can also clean your soul. Spend twenty minutes in a room over 150 degrees, step out into the cool Alaskan air, take a few deep breaths, ideally jump in some cold water, then hop back in the banya, and you might just meet God. Shit, it’s the closest I’ve ever been. The banya encourages you to take a second, breathe deeply, and think about nothing. When I buy a piece of land, a banya will be the first thing I build.
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It’s hard for me to pick a favorite post, but 26 Candles might be the one I’m most proud of. I dove headfirst into the vulnerability of life in my mid-20s, and it was quite rewarding. I felt that not only did the piece accurately express my emotions, but it also placed the reader in my shoes and helped them see what I was experiencing. I find it very difficult to accomplish this. But, at its core, I think that is the ultimate challenge of writing. Don't tell me… show me. Make me feel it. Make the words take my mind into your mind.
I made my 26th lap around the sun last week, and now I’m wondering—is this when the quarter-life crisis is supposed to hit? And, more importantly, is that dramatic or exciting? These days, I feel ever-pressed by the world around me. I wonder why I hold myself to such a high standard. I wonder why I don’t know where I’m heading. I wonder why I can’t seem to find love. And I wonder what I am doing wrong, despite getting so many things right.
So, I guess the quarter-life crisis is hitting. And yes, it’s a bit dramatic.
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The story of my AIRE 1 weekend training, and a broader discussion about outdoor activity.
The rain soaked us as we dug furiously through the avalanche debris. With each shovel strike, the clock ticked down toward our ten minute goal. With every passing second, the likelihood of survival dropped significantly. To describe the snow as heavy would have been an understatement. It was essentially like shoveling wet concrete. Buried two meters below us was our best friend.
This was the Mt. Baker backcountry and thankfully, it was practice for the real deal.
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I am obsessed with music. I love listening to it, thinking, and talking about it. This post was fiery, passionate, and incredibly fun to write.
Here’s another Sturgill line that’s bound to make you question the definition of modern country music.
Every time I take a look inside that old and fabled book
I'm blinded and reminded of the pain caused by some old man in the sky
Marijuana, LSD, psilocybin, DMT
They all changed the way I see
Love's the only thing that ever saved my lifeI’ll let you read between the lines, but that’s quite an Outlaw perspective for a genre of music typically dominated by God-loving, drug-fearing folk. When this album was released in 2014, it achieved moderate success, but by no means soared off the charts. However, among those who appreciate the depth and grit of modern Outlaw Country, this album is considered one of the best ever. A country album centered around the exploration of hallucinogenic drugs may not work for Nashville, but it works for me. I recommend this album to anyone, psychonaut or not.
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A lighthearted—and, in my opinion, funny—4/20 post.
Hot on the heels of gamblers and Bigfoot enthusiasts, anglers may be some of the most superstitious people on the planet. We’ve got lucky fishing hats, funny routines, and strict rules about what can and cannot be on the boat. We hold on to these superstitions because, deep down, they mean something to us—even if they are completely absurd.
As I look through what I’ve created this past year, I couldn’t be more proud of myself. Creativity is not something that has historically come naturally to me, but this feels right. Most importantly, I’m incredibly grateful to every single person who reads and subscribes to Kudos.
Super proud of you Cliff🫶
You’ve got a gift…continue to build on it and never stop exploring! The World is yours to experience and share🤲
Congratulations on your 1st anniversary of writing. I enjoyed hearing some of your favorites. I listen to your post because your voice connects to my heart. Keep doing what u doing and Have Fun! Love you 😘