Charles Bukowski and the Meaning of ‘Don’t Try’: Lessons on Authenticity, Purpose, and Living Intensely

Lilian Corrêa
18 de nov. de 2025
2 min de leitura

When I was in college, I often heard about Charles Bukowski, but I must admit I never really delved into his poetry. Recently, while reading one of his quotes, I came across a photo of his tombstone, which reads: “Don’t try.”

For a few minutes, I tried to decipher that message and immediately connected it to his intense and “far from exemplary” personal life. Bukowski was a man who, even in his darkest days, was a great poet — an alcoholic, a gambler, a womanizer — perhaps seen as despicable by society. Yet, he was the opposite of what we often see today: a real man, authentic and unmasked, in his worst version and brilliant in his writing.

Through what many would call “failure,” he found fame and shared profound lessons about life. I discovered that, to him, “to try” was often the most subtle way of avoiding. And that’s when “Don’t try” started to take on a new meaning for me.

Bukowski also said: *“Find what you love and let it kill you.” (“Find what makes you feel alive and let it consume you.”)

In other words, surrender yourself completely to what makes your heart beat faster, without fear of the consequences. Live for your purpose — even if it demands everything from you.

I learned this lesson years ago and still believe in it: It’s better to die living intensely what you love than to live dimly, without purpose — because life is only one.

I remain aware that each day brings me closer to the end — after all, we are not immortal — yet I’m still happy, because I know I’m transforming people, whether through my services or the exchange of experiences in every encounter.

And that, to me, is a noble way to live.

Thank you to everyone who believes in my work. 🙏✨️