I couldn't help but think back to how we met - through a blogpost! A fleeing moment of deja vu. People watching is therapeutic, but sometimes, the demands of our modern lives, where you ought to look fashionably busy, rushing between meetings makes people watching the sport of the idly unproductive. The need to be productive is derailing the quality of our lives, but such little joys one derives from just pausing and watching.
I really miss when blogs, and longform in general, were more popular which is why I hopped onto the Substack bandwagon! So lovely to reconnect here. I agree with you on how much the "need to be productive" takes away little joys and would add that it can also take away what makes life and relationships meaningful. One thing I miss from my Boston days is how even in my busy times, I would catch quick glimpses of people passing by in my commutes or walks. I find it harder to do in a car-centric city like Dubai unless I intentionally set aside time to people watch.
I enjoyed this snapshot of people watching in Mall of the Emirates and the chorus of many languages.
Intriguing notes on people watching as a solo woman, as well. I can relate to needing an "excuse" like a journal (though usually my phone) to people watch and not draw unwanted attention. Waiting anywhere in public, airports or grocery lines, I feel that obligation to look busy, even as I'm idling. It's hard to relax (or appear relaxed) in public without letting your guard down.
Beautiful use of language in the poem, including the man "gazelle-ing". I love a multilingual poem — and I'll consider telling the sea my worries now, too.
Thanks Jayne! I appreciate reading about ways you try to avoid drawing unwanted attention in public and it's an unfortunately common experience I hear with women especially women of global majority and POC. This has me think of having a future post cover this as I have seen how my experiences in different places impacted how welcome I feel to be present in my body in a particular place. I wonder if there is a way I can start a poll on Substack notes before I write this future post?
On another note, if and when you do speak your worries to the sea, lemme know what it says in response!
I’m not sure if we can put polls in Notes. Maybe a preliminary post with a poll or one embedded in the final post for reflection could work. I’d be very interested in that kind of discussion at any rate. Joy Sullivan here on Substack has an essay series where she discusses complicated emotions as a woman in various settings.
I really enjoyed reading this post Reema, and your poem is lovely. The piece made me reflect on how I don’t people watch as much as I used to. When my daughter was younger there were so many opportunities for people watching, waiting for her whilst she was at her ballet class is one example, I would always take a book, or some work to do, but watching the comings and goings of everyone in the foyer won me over every time. I’m going to think about what new opportunities I can create to people watch, thank you! 💕
One of the great joys in life is people watching, almost a built in piece of my DNA, I think. From stories told about what I'd notice about others as a young child, to my report cards clearly signaling that I was far more of a people watcher than a student, the delight is always present. There is the pure people watching with no interaction and then there are times, for example, when in line to check out at the grocery store, watching sometimes nudges me to engage in conversation. Another quick snapshot of people is those I walk by on walking trails. Part of the watching is overhearing a snippet of conversation that prompts me to imagine what the conversation is about and making up possibilities in my imagination as I keep walking, curiosity always pairing with watching.
I loved reading about how people watching has always been a part of your life and a reflection of your curiosity. I find for me as a child who was often lost daydreaming in my own head, it took me time to pay more attention. I would be interested in seeing you write about people watching as another well of today
I love this and indeed, I will write about this. Daydreaming, I believe, often comes from things we have noticed and paid attention to, then take into new spaces of musing.
I couldn't help but think back to how we met - through a blogpost! A fleeing moment of deja vu. People watching is therapeutic, but sometimes, the demands of our modern lives, where you ought to look fashionably busy, rushing between meetings makes people watching the sport of the idly unproductive. The need to be productive is derailing the quality of our lives, but such little joys one derives from just pausing and watching.
I really miss when blogs, and longform in general, were more popular which is why I hopped onto the Substack bandwagon! So lovely to reconnect here. I agree with you on how much the "need to be productive" takes away little joys and would add that it can also take away what makes life and relationships meaningful. One thing I miss from my Boston days is how even in my busy times, I would catch quick glimpses of people passing by in my commutes or walks. I find it harder to do in a car-centric city like Dubai unless I intentionally set aside time to people watch.
I enjoyed this snapshot of people watching in Mall of the Emirates and the chorus of many languages.
Intriguing notes on people watching as a solo woman, as well. I can relate to needing an "excuse" like a journal (though usually my phone) to people watch and not draw unwanted attention. Waiting anywhere in public, airports or grocery lines, I feel that obligation to look busy, even as I'm idling. It's hard to relax (or appear relaxed) in public without letting your guard down.
Beautiful use of language in the poem, including the man "gazelle-ing". I love a multilingual poem — and I'll consider telling the sea my worries now, too.
Thanks Jayne! I appreciate reading about ways you try to avoid drawing unwanted attention in public and it's an unfortunately common experience I hear with women especially women of global majority and POC. This has me think of having a future post cover this as I have seen how my experiences in different places impacted how welcome I feel to be present in my body in a particular place. I wonder if there is a way I can start a poll on Substack notes before I write this future post?
On another note, if and when you do speak your worries to the sea, lemme know what it says in response!
I’m not sure if we can put polls in Notes. Maybe a preliminary post with a poll or one embedded in the final post for reflection could work. I’d be very interested in that kind of discussion at any rate. Joy Sullivan here on Substack has an essay series where she discusses complicated emotions as a woman in various settings.
Will be sure to share that too!
Thanks for the recommendation, will think it through. Don’t think I heard about Joy Sullivan and that series of posts but will look into it, thanks!
I really enjoyed reading this post Reema, and your poem is lovely. The piece made me reflect on how I don’t people watch as much as I used to. When my daughter was younger there were so many opportunities for people watching, waiting for her whilst she was at her ballet class is one example, I would always take a book, or some work to do, but watching the comings and goings of everyone in the foyer won me over every time. I’m going to think about what new opportunities I can create to people watch, thank you! 💕
So glad this post is having you think about revisiting people watching and I would love to hear on what new opportunities you run into! ❤️
One of the great joys in life is people watching, almost a built in piece of my DNA, I think. From stories told about what I'd notice about others as a young child, to my report cards clearly signaling that I was far more of a people watcher than a student, the delight is always present. There is the pure people watching with no interaction and then there are times, for example, when in line to check out at the grocery store, watching sometimes nudges me to engage in conversation. Another quick snapshot of people is those I walk by on walking trails. Part of the watching is overhearing a snippet of conversation that prompts me to imagine what the conversation is about and making up possibilities in my imagination as I keep walking, curiosity always pairing with watching.
I loved reading about how people watching has always been a part of your life and a reflection of your curiosity. I find for me as a child who was often lost daydreaming in my own head, it took me time to pay more attention. I would be interested in seeing you write about people watching as another well of today
I love this and indeed, I will write about this. Daydreaming, I believe, often comes from things we have noticed and paid attention to, then take into new spaces of musing.
I love this: day dreaming not necessarily being the opposite of presence but part of it. I look forward to your writing!
Wonderful piece, thank you!
Thank you for stopping by!