Embracing the Known
On the underrated skill of appreciating life’s familiarities
The unknown gets a lot of credit.
People who venture off into uncharted territories for the sake of experiencing novelty are often deemed brave.
In comparison, those who stay put and maintain a life surrounded by familiarity are labelled unadventurous.
When taking a closer look reality paints a slightly different picture. The ability to appreciate life to the fullest without resorting to uprooting yourself requires the same — if not more — amount of courage.
It’s relatively easy to inject vibrancy into life by packing up your bags and heading off somewhere new. Just ask any expat. Now to do the same by staying put requires a completely different approach and another set of skills.
In one case you flood your life with new externals. You move to a new country and suddenly every person, place, and experience is exotic. These externals bombard change upon you from every direction and flood your senses. It can be overwhelming but at the same time extremely exhilarating.
In another you’re forced to be more creative in the pursuit for life satisfaction. It requires you to appreciate what’s already there and to dig deeper within yourself. You can still search out new people and experiences, but ultimately without the change of environment you become the main catalyst for change.
Both situations are invaluable. Both serve important purposes.
Transplanting yourself and becoming immersed in a new culture is an incredible way to gain perspective. The world would be a much better, kinder place if everyone had the opportunity to experience even just a sliver of life through the lens of other fellow — distinct — human beings.
On the other hand, staying put has the potential to teach you important lessons about yourself. It limits the opportunity for distractions and makes you focus on what’s in front of you. It asks you to shine new light on life’s constants and uncover wonder from within the mundane.
A few weeks ago I returned to Brazil with the idea of calling it home for the first time in a long time. The city I spent a good chunk of my life in has grown up in ways I’m finding out about on a daily basis.
Last time I lived here downtown was still grungy and rough. My football team played in their original beloved stadium. Grandma was alive and well, with enough energy to look after her garden, cook up a feast, and have the occasional go at me over my tattoos.
A lot has changed and at the same time, a lot hasn’t.
The familiarities that have lingered seem ready to continue where we left off, on call to transform into roots and routines. And while I take my time to settle back in I know they’re there — waiting patiently for me stop by, say hello, and muster up the courage to embrace the known.
