Choose Your Own Path
Why Desire Lines Are the Secret to Original Writing
At UC Berkeley, they did something weird.
Instead of constructing footpaths across the central plaza, they left the grass untouched. It was just open space.
Within weeks, students had worn trails into the turf—cutting across corners, weaving through trees, and creating the most direct routes between buildings.
These were “desire paths”—the natural, organic tracks people actually wanted to walk.
Only then did the planners pave them.
This wasn’t laziness. It was design genius. Rather than imposing a system from above, they watched and learned - and then simply built upon what was already working.
The Best Content Doesn’t Follow the Map - It Follows the Footprints
Too many creators try to follow the paths laid by others—templates, swipe files, trending topics.
It’s the content equivalent of walking the long way round because someone said it’s “best practice.”
But the best content doesn’t follow the crowd. It cuts across the grass:
It’s the personal story you were scared to share.
The contrarian view you thought might upset someone.
The experiment that failed—but taught you something real.
Those are your desire paths.
And the moment you start writing them down? You stop blending in—and start standing out.
Want to carve your own path? Here’s how:
Map your moments – Reflect on real-life experiences that shaped your perspective. Turn them into short stories that fuel your content.
Break the format – Write a pattern interrupt as your opening hook. Start with a punchline and work backwards. Use dialogue. FFS - even swear if it’s true to your voice. Test what feels the most you.
Challenge assumptions – Take a common idea in your niche and flip it. Ask, “What if the opposite were true?”
Follow your feet – Notice what you naturally rant about, explain to your friends down the pub, or scribble in notebooks. That’s your voice trying to lead you.
Because you’re not here to be a carbon copy. You’re here to blaze your own trail.
The grass is waiting.
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👻 Content Champion Ghostwriting
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📧 loz@contentchampion.com