Word of the day:
Monachopsis: (noun) The subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place.
There’s one we can certainly all relate to sometimes; nice to find a single word to describe the feeling.
An interesting aspect of the Spanish language is the two versions of “to be”. One of them is a temporary state of being, like “Yo estoy feliz”… “I am happy”, as in, at this moment, I am happy. But “Yo soy feliz” would imply that I am always happy, as in a happy person.
Indeed, when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense to be able to have that distinction. “You estoy frio” vs. “Yo soy frio”… I am cold at the moment, versus I am a cold person. “I am cold” could mean either.
I think that word is one of those that probably would always be used in the temporary… it’s not like we always feel out of place. Except, I suspect, if I lived in the U.S. at the moment… I am certain I’d be feeling out of place, and I’m pretty sure it’d be a persistent feeling… especially given how the more polarized things get, the more obvious it becomes that things will never get better. There will be no giant moment of national enlightenment… just people sticking their heads in the sand deeper and deeper.
That’s what I find myself thinking when I read the news… some of what people believe – or want to believe – or want others to believe… it’s unbelievable.
One would think this book that’ll be out soon – the one written by Trump’s niece – might serve to start some change. It won’t; it’ll just polarize things more.
Not like I have any solutions… not like there are any. This whole experience is like one of those mathematical models that you can define, but not solve. You have to actually model it… start things off with initial conditions, and let the complicated algorithm works its way through it. And one day, maybe, you have some understanding. We’re all in the midst of that experiment… and it’s certainly filling me with monachopsis. Yo estoy monachopsis.
I just have this feeling that this thing is never going to go away. Now with mandatory masks everywhere (in 40 degree heat) and barely into Stage 2 – it will be snowing by the time we it stage 3
Minor point: I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone say “Estoy frio”. Only ever “Tengo frio”. Technically, I suppose it could be correct. I’ve just never heard it.
Sorry for the pedantic digression. Carry on.
Yup, that’s the way I feel when grocery shopping with my mask on and realize I’m the only one in the store with a mask. I guess living further out in the valley masks aren’t as popular. But I will continue to feel out of place just because I want to keep you all safe. I’ve noticed me wearing my mask keeps people away from me . . . thanks for your concern. ????
“Yo estoy monachopsis” ????????????