It’s no secret that I’ve moved around a lot. My dad was some kind of ADD hippie nomad who never lived in the present. Because of this, we seemed to never spend more than eight consecutive months in any given location. When I was younger, I hated this lifestyle. I never stayed anywhere long enough to make real friends. I never really got to know very many people or even explore my own talents. It was a crash course in humanity and it bred extreme selfishness. I didn’t care about people’s backstories. Their pain or joy were lost on me. Why should I care since I would most likely be moving on so soon? This is no way for a kid to grow up, trust me.
Maybe the one benefit this lifestyle gave me was perception. Now, as I’m rounding that corner to 40, I observe people every where I go. I see someone in the airport and wonder, where are they headed? Are they running to or away from someone? The most inane idiosyncrasies fascinate me, too. From the 20-something girl who had no idea where the bathroom is located on my last flight, to the woman in the Hawaiian shirt and shorts in mid-December in the airport, to the hilarity of the woman to brought steaks on the plane – they all come from somewhere. They are all headed somewhere. All I can do is observe.
I find the potential of knowing their stories very fascinating, but rarely do I speak with people when I’m traveling. I use this time as time for me. It’s the only time in my busy life that I am not able to answer a text, a call, respond to an email. When I’m on a plane, I have the most clarity.
Where do you find your quiet? Do you have a place you can go to shut out the noise? Is there a dead spot on your drive home where you relish in the fact that no one can text or call you?
Karon says
I LOVE the quiet I get when traveling through an airport! Like you, I’m usually alone and take full advantage of “my” quiet time.
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Sean says
Isn’t that the best? It’s weird, too, because of the crowds, but the anonymity is pretty awesome.
Andrea @ My fun Healthy Life says
I too love the quiet time on a plane, but I also find a good amount of quiet time in my hot tub. My husband bought it for me about five years ago and it has been the best investment! I go there when I need quiet, an attitude adjustment or a bit of relief after a workout!
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Sean says
Ooooh … a hot tub? that sounds amazing. Ava uses mine for snorkeling adventures.
Galit Breen says
Oh I get this. We moved around a lot when I was little, too. And I am such an observer as well.
(Such an interesting thread you wove here!)
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Sean says
I love people watching! And talking to strangers. I’m just weird that way.
Carissa says
I try to find quiet everyday. Mostly I fill the silence with noise? I’m terrible with quiet? Growing up in a large family I think is to blame!
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Sean says
I can understand that. Noise can be quieting. I think? LOL!
Becca - My Crazy Good Life says
I love my time working at home. It’s silent, which is how I concentrate best. When the kids run in the door after school, I’m ready to take them on!
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Sean says
I bet that is nice and quiet. The times I’ve worked from home have been pretty peaceful, too.
Kelly says
It may sound funny but I find my quiet in the grocery store when I go by myself. There I am in my Zen mode with the music playing from the store and I am in my little own world buying food for my family.
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Sean says
🙂 I like to go on Saturdays when there are wine samples. Priorities…