Goldfish Bowl

The purposelessness is challenging. The city feels like a goldfish bowl, full of distractions that enslave rather than serve. In the words of David Byrne of Talking Heads: "How did we get here?"

Isolation within the city is magnified. I recognise that. Visiting the libraries removes my loneliness. Why? Well, the people I am sharing the space with are making an effort in some shape or form to expand themselves, be it reading a book, working on a college paper, or even watching a YouTube video. As I observe the people in these spaces, the common thread is obvious: community free spaces remove demand and activate agency.

Escaping the concrete into parks and woodland contributes to a deeper insight into the human condition. The demand to grow is removed; instead, I become rooted in presence. My younger self escaped rural life for the energy of the city, but when we live in rock, we have to be mindful that it is a hard place.

Softening comes as I write this post. My guilt of not serving or achieving at the moment dissolves. Letting my day, month, years unfold will use less energy than carving a path that has no direction.