Onism (noun) Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows | The awareness of how little of the world you will experience.
“The frustration of being stuck in just one body, that inhabits only one place at a time, which is like standing in front of the departures screen at an airport, flickering over with strange city names like other people’s passwords, each representing one more thing you’ll never get to see before you die.”
ETYMOLOGY: Portmanteau of monism (the philosophical view that a variety of things can be explained in terms of a single reality) + onanism (alternative word for self-pleasure).
Taking a picture of folks on a bus and feeling a little sad that I am not on that bus because they appear to be having so much fun. Even when I am enjoying exactly where I am and what I am doing.
Being ok with where I currently am (Malabo), but wistfully wishing I was back where I was (Croatia here). So magical. Sort of the grass is always greener attitude, which I hate.
“I looked through others’ windows
On an enchanted earth
But out of my own window–
solitude and dearth.
And yet there is a mystery
I cannot understand–
That others through my window
See an enchanted land.”
―
Greener grasses: SMB; J-DUB; Planetmom; Brittnjess; Sarah; herman; Liv; meatnpotatoes; Joyce; KG; bratty; ninjawhales; Lyna; Brendan
I love airports. Especially the bars! So many memories.
Haha! Best part of flying these days.
You’ve been so many places! And you still want more? You really have wanderlust! I am currently in Spain; so different than living in the USA. I can’t even think of a place where this kind of open, welcoming society exists. I’m 73 now, and I feel that there are places I want to go — like Croatia — that I’ll never get to see. My knees are getting old, too, and where I used to be able to walk miles in cities (like London — I love walking around that place), now about 3 miles and I’m starting to get pretty achy. Is there ever total satisfaction in life? Earthly life? I wonder…
I hear ya. That’s why i am considering retiring and then traveling while I can still enjoy it.