Who else finds themselves wandering at night, gazing up at windows and pondering the lives taking place inside? It’s not limited to just nighttime for me; it’s something I experience wherever I am, whether it’s day or night. Light spills from a home in such a warm and inviting way, soft and glowing, almost like it’s sharing a little secret about the lives inside. I find myself unable to look away, captivated by how a lit window provides a brief peek into another person's life. The outline of a curtain, the subtle shadow of a figure, and the hint of furniture all encourage the mind to explore.
Every time I walk through my neighborhood, I feel a peculiar sense of sadness wash over me. These windows are more than mere glass—they're gateways to stories and lives I'll never fully understand. Behind them, people go about their everyday, remarkable lives. Meals are being cooked, discussions are taking place, laughter echoes through the rooms, and maybe there's someone sitting quietly, deep in thought. I think about their happiness, their sadness, and the everyday things they do. What challenges do they face? What moments fill their hearts with joy? Do they ever experience loneliness or wonder, as I do?
I frequently reflect on the milestones that define our lives. Their first love, that thrilling moment when they understood they were noticed by someone who genuinely mattered. Their first heartbreak, when everything felt impossibly heavy for the very first time. The thrill of a first kiss, maybe shared in the very house I’m walking by now. Or the subtle unease that arises when they understand that life is on the brink of change in ways beyond their control. I think about the dreams they hold, the losses they've faced, and how they seek to find healing.
What really stands out to me is how universal it all is. No matter where we find ourselves in the world, who we are, or what separates us—our race, beliefs, or social standing—we all share the common bond of being human. Everyone goes through love, loss, hope, and despair. No matter our wealth or age, we all share the same waves of feeling. Heartbreak is universal; it doesn’t matter if you’re in a luxurious penthouse in London or a simple village house somewhere in rural Borneo. Joy knows no limits.
And yet, even with this common bond, our lives are only briefly connected. Walking by those glowing windows, I quietly observe their presence. In that moment, they truly feel noticed. Their lives exist in my mind, even if only as fleeting reflections. But that moment slips away fast. I keep going, and they do too. Our paths may never meet again, and I’m left with just the fleeting thoughts of who they could have been.
The transience of it all adds to its beauty. There’s a certain beauty in being a quick witness to another person’s journey. It makes me think about how expansive and complex the world is—countless lives unfolding simultaneously, each with their own challenges and victories that I can never completely grasp. It’s a profound thought that behind every window I glance at, there’s someone experiencing life just as fully as I do. They are the main protagonists in their own narrative, just like I am in mine.
I sometimes think about whether others gaze through my windows in the same manner. Do they notice the warm light spilling from my home and wonder about the person inside? Do they think about my happiness and sadness, my challenges, and my aspirations? It's a mix of comfort and oddity to consider that I could be a part of someone else's brief moment of reflection.
Imagining lives through windows feels like a way for me to connect with humanity. It serves as a reminder that, despite our feelings of isolation, we share more similarities than we often realize. It serves as a reminder of how fleeting and delicate our relationships can be. We cross paths for just a moment—a brief look through a window, a brief shadow—and then we drift away from one another.
But those moments really do count. They highlight the beauty of our humanity and the vast, interconnected nature of our world, even in moments when it seems limited. They make me appreciate my own life, realizing it's just one of many stories happening behind countless windows.
Ultimately, we are all radiant souls, experiencing our lives in homes brimming with brightness. And for a brief instant, we are visible through a window.
Note:
All photos are taken around my neighborhood.
Many years ago, I came across a YouTube channel named Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which gave a name to an emotion we all experience but lack a name for. The channel's creator is not active, and the most recent video was released three years ago to promote a book inspired by the channel. Please feel free to check it out.
I discovered a new word, "sonder," from this channel, which inspired my post today. I've added a video explaining what "sonder" means.
That's it for now. If you read this far, thank you. I appreciate it so much! Kindly give me a follow if you like my content. I mostly write about making art, life musing, and our mundane yet charming family life here in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Note: All images used belong to me unless stated otherwise.
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