In the whirlwind of ambition, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams, it’s easy to get caught up in the intoxicating allure of passion. We idolize passion, celebrate its fiery intensity, and dream of the day we’ll ignite our lives with the same explosive energy. But what happens when the fire starts to burn too brightly? What happens when the very passion that once fueled us starts to consume us?
In Daisy Jones & The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid offers a powerful metaphor for this struggle through the words of one of the novel’s key characters. The quote speaks to the tension between passion and the things that truly matter: the things that nourish us, keep us grounded, and sustain us through life’s trials.
“Passion is… it’s fire. And fire is great, man. But we’re made of water. Water is how we keep living. Water is what we need to survive. My family was my water. I picked water. I’ll pick water every time.”
In these words, the narrator acknowledges that while passion — fire — can be exciting, exhilarating, and at times even necessary for creativity and drive, there is something even more vital. Passion might ignite us, but it is love, connection, and the steady, life-sustaining support of our families and communities that keep us going when everything else threatens to burn out.
The Duality of Passion
Fire is often celebrated in the stories we tell ourselves and others. From the fire of ambition that pushes us to build empires to the passionate love stories that sweep us off our feet, we are conditioned to think of fire as the force that drives success and emotional fulfillment. But fire is volatile. It can rage uncontrollably, burn out too quickly, or cause destruction in its wake. The high of passion can leave us feeling hollow if it isn’t tempered by something deeper.
This is where water, symbolizing the steady and unassuming support of our loved ones, comes into play. Water doesn’t burn out. Water nourishes and sustains. It’s the quiet moments, the steady relationships, the grounding force that allows us to weather the storms of life. And while passion might give us the spark to begin, it is water — our loved ones, our family, our sense of belonging — that keeps us from being consumed by our own intensity.
The Fire of Ambition vs. The Water of Family
In the world of Daisy Jones & The Six, characters like Daisy Jones herself are the embodiment of passion. Daisy is driven by the fire of music, creativity, and fame. She burns with desire to be heard, to be seen, and to make her mark on the world. She is a force of nature, just like fire: bright, bold, and impossible to ignore. But, as the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that while Daisy’s passion might lead her to great heights, it also leads her down dangerous, isolating paths.
On the other hand, characters like Billy Dunne represent the quiet, stabilizing influence of family. Billy’s journey isn’t one of fiery ambition or fame for fame’s sake. His journey is about balance, understanding the importance of responsibility, and the connection to those who depend on him. His family — his wife and children — are his water. They are what keep him grounded, what remind him of what truly matters in life.
Billy’s choice to prioritize his family over his musical career, to choose water over fire, is not a rejection of passion, but a recognition that family offers something far more lasting. As much as Billy loves music and has a burning desire to succeed, he knows that it’s his family who will be there when the fire fades.
Why Water Always Wins
What Taylor Jenkins Reid is exploring through these contrasting metaphors is the idea that passion alone isn’t enough. Passion might drive us to chase dreams, to leap into the unknown, and to push the boundaries of our lives. But it’s the steady, nurturing force of water that ultimately sustains us. We are social creatures, and our need for love, connection, and support is inherent to our survival and happiness.
Choosing water over fire isn’t about abandoning passion or ambition. It’s about understanding that while passion can drive us, it’s the grounding forces in our lives — our relationships, our sense of community, and our connections to those who care for us — that give us the strength to keep going when the fire threatens to burn us out.
In real life, we often see people who are consumed by their ambitions, who chase success at all costs, only to find themselves lonely, disconnected, or exhausted. Passion may have brought them success, but it hasn’t brought them fulfillment. It’s only when they reconnect with the people and values that matter most to them — their own “water” — that they find true peace.
The Quiet Power of Family
In the end, water symbolizes more than just family; it represents the quiet strength of those who offer us unconditional love and support. These are the people who help us rebuild when we’ve been burned, who catch us when we fall, and who keep us from getting lost in the chaos of the world. Family, whether biological or chosen, is the water that replenishes us when we feel drained.
Choosing water — choosing family — is an act of prioritization. It’s a decision to focus on the things that truly matter, to invest in relationships that bring meaning, and to recognize that passion, while important, is not the only force we need to thrive. Water gives us balance. It reminds us that we can burn brightly, but we also need the nourishment and grounding that comes from the love and care of those who are there for us, no matter what.
Conclusion
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s words in Daisy Jones & The Six remind us that passion is important, but it is the steady presence of water — love, connection, and family — that sustains us in the long run. Fire may give us the spark we need to ignite our dreams, but water is what keeps us alive. And when it comes to choosing between the two, there’s no contest. Water will always be the choice we need to survive, to thrive, and to find true fulfillment in life.
As we navigate the highs and lows of our own journeys, it’s a choice worth remembering. In the end, we can all pick water. We should pick water, every time.
