- places to explore on foot / long walks in the shade of towering conifers
- music that I not only love and find aesthetically beautiful, but that also gives me a sense of transcendence.
- being near bodies of water
- coffee (morning, afternoon)
- listening intently to someone very smart every once in a while (conversations, lectures, podcasts)
- being listened to every once in a while
- being able to express myself with verbal fluency, and understanding everything I hear in response without impediment (during at least half of my waking hours)
- being seen and understood as approximately what and who I am
- time to work, read, write think and reflect without interruption
- times when I am completely alone
- quiet
- reading. learning.
- lobsters at least once a year
- light
- knowing what to do as well as when and how to do it (feeling competent) every once in a while
- having my incompetence, mistakes and weaknesses met with compassion
- having certain days on which I can sleep in and on which I can spend 0 seconds putting makeup on my face
- autumn at least once a year
- old brick buildings
- a few people who love and accept that these are the things I need
Some of these surely sound trite or obvious or entitled and privileged (oh fuck am I aware of how privileged some of these expectations make me) but they are, aside from basic bodily imperatives, the things I need to feel human. Some are more important than others (I think I might still feel like a person without ever eating lobster again), but there you have it. I think we can sum it up thusly: nature, a sense of belonging, solitude.
Awesome question and loving your list. You make me think. Like you, I also need my quiet time, esp. after socializing with many people within the course of one day. The brain goes into overdrive and I need a lot of time and space to process everything and recharge.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging people would be in my list. Moments of "You too? I thought it was only me." The sweet, delicious delight of recognition and understanding of someone who's been there, too. Exchanges of sincere smiles (even with strangers). Inside jokes. Sharing memories with certain people. Ah, I can go on and on...maybe I should just write it down in my own blog LOL!
So... Excited about Trump?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear about how you've been lately. I hope all is well! ~ E.
ReplyDeleteIs the dark, ambient noise produced by Oranssi Pazuzu familiar to you?
ReplyDeleteThis probably sounds weird from a stranger, but I miss reading new entries from you. From time to time I'll come back and re-read through old entries because they're always interesting to read. Not just because you often wrote about your experiences as a new immigrant in Finland, but because your writing style makes whatever you happen to write about nice to read! I hope you're doing well :-) ~ E.
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