la vita quotidiana: the magic of everydays

As I reflect more on my return to “normal” life after traveling, I am fixated on this sense of loss we tend to feel after a vacation. Like that come down feeling after an amazing concert, or returning back to school after holiday break.

I am anxious for work, but more nervous for my own self. Will I fall back into old habits? Will my sense of wonder vanish? How can I keep that child-like sense of awe that travel brings, even during these everydays? Most of all: will I still be in love with life just as it is? or will I forget its miracle of simply existing?

However, as I write this, I realize that that is silly. To say that I am the one who has control of the presence of the awe gives me far too much credit. It is only me who chooses to look for it, — it is always there regardless. If I allow myself the eyes of a traveler, perhaps I can see the wonder in the everydays, “La vita quotidiana”. I first learned of this concept in Italian class years ago. It struck me even back then — originally as weird that we spent a whole lesson talking about the concept — but as the years pass I have come to realize why.

It is actually pretty serendipitous that I write this today; Exactly two years ago today I visited Austin, Texas (my current home city) for the first time ever. My eyes got big when I saw the skyline seamlessly blend into the blues and greens of hill country. Can you believe I was excited when I first felt the moisture of the humid air on my skin?

And yet, as with most things, time wears down the shiny newness. But when I choose to look, I can still feel it; The chirp of birdsong in the morning, the fog that creeps over the lake after the rain, the hot beams of sun that embrace my skin, the stardust that somehow makes up every coffeeshop, every bookstore, every bar in this city. A city whose heartbeat is calm, comforting, even in the chaotic hum of adventure that exists within it. Whose nervous system would be at peace, aligned, even with all of its different truths co-existing. A city who has mastered work and play. A city who never asks anything of you, except for you to just be.

Perhaps none of this life is normal? Or all of it is. Even the weird break from routine is, in a sense, normal. Routine wouldn’t exist as a concept without its opposite.

Regardless, there is always special to be found in the normal, mundane hum of life. It is simply up to us to choose to see it.