Life itself is the proper binge.

In the rich tapestry of life, where moments are woven with the threads of joy, sorrow, and everything in between, Julia Child offers a bold and profound insight: "Life itself is the proper binge." These words, simple yet profound, invite us to look at life as something to be embraced in all its fullness, to be experienced with the same zeal and passion as one might savor a decadent meal. Just as food can nourish both the body and the soul, life itself is the banquet—an endless offering, filled with variety, complexity, and richness, one that we should dive into with wholeheartedness and joy. Child’s words challenge us to reject the notion of restraint, urging us instead to live fully and indulge in the present moment, as life is the ultimate feast that should not be taken lightly.

In many cultures, feasts and bingeing were not seen as acts of excess or indulgence, but rather as expressions of abundance and gratitude for the gifts of life. The ancient Greeks, who celebrated the symposia, gathered together not only to feast but to engage in philosophical conversation—a joyous occasion where life’s deeper meanings were discussed over a shared meal. This sense of indulgence, however, was not one of gluttony, but of appreciation, of recognizing that life—in all its beauty, chaos, and complexity—is meant to be savored and celebrated. Julia Child, much like the ancient philosophers, saw life as something to be enjoyed with full awareness, not something to be consumed mindlessly or hastily.

Consider the life of Ernest Hemingway, who lived with the spirit of indulgence that Child champions. Hemingway’s adventures were as exuberant as his writing, a man who embraced both the dangers and pleasures of life with an unbridled passion. He immersed himself in the world of bullfights, cocktail parties, sailing, and writing, each experience filling him with a sense of living that went far beyond mere existence. Hemingway’s life was a celebration of the moment, of feeling every sensation, every emotion, as intensely as he could. His life itself was a binge—not in the sense of self-destructive excess, but in the sense of a deep, unapologetic engagement with the beauty and complexity of existence.

Yet, life as a binge does not necessarily mean excess for the sake of indulgence. Rather, it means living with passion and presence. Mary Oliver, the renowned poet, embodied this understanding when she wrote of the wildness of life, urging readers to listen to the calls of the earth and embrace the fleeting beauty of each moment. Oliver’s poems often reflect a keen awareness of the preciousness of life and the need to savor it—not just in moments of pleasure, but in moments of deep connection with the world around us. Her words encourage us to move through life not with hurry or hesitation, but with an open heart, ready to take in all that it has to offer.

The key, then, is to understand that life itself is rich and complex, filled with both light and dark. Julia Child’s idea of the "proper binge" reminds us that there is no need to shy away from the full experience of being alive, with all its contrasts. Just as gourmets do not indulge in food merely for the sake of excess, but because they understand the richness of flavors, so too should we dive into life with appreciation for both its beauty and its challenges. Bingeing on life is not a call to act recklessly, but to be mindful of how we live, to embrace each experience fully and to celebrate it in all its facets.

Consider the wise teachings of Confucius, who urged his disciples to live life with balance and integrity. For Confucius, the pursuit of the good life was not one of overindulgence, but of living with purpose, mindfulness, and respect for both the world and oneself. In this light, life’s binge is not about acting without thought, but about engaging with life’s richness and complexity—experiencing the full range of human emotions, relationships, and actions with intention and gratitude. Just as we would savor a fine dish, we should savor each moment of our existence, knowing that each moment carries with it its own unique flavor, its own unique lesson.

So, what is the lesson we can take from Julia Child’s words? To live fully is to embrace every moment as it comes, to experience the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, with an open heart. Let us not shy away from life’s richness—whether in times of peace or struggle—but rather allow ourselves to immerse in it. Let us binge on the experiences that life offers us, not in a way that leaves us drained or exhausted, but in a way that fills our souls with the nourishment of presence, joy, and meaning. Life is a banquet that is constantly unfolding before us, and it is ours to indulge in, not with recklessness, but with the fullness of heart, mind, and spirit.