Familiarity

Sezane cardigan
Oak + Fort trousers (c/o) (similar)
Mejuri croissant ring (c/o) (similar)
Mejuri ring (c/o) (similar)
Mejuri earrings (c/o) (similar)
Location: Osborne Village – Winnipeg, Manitoba

I don’t have much to say for myself these days – I was honest about that earlier this week. And yet, I find myself showing up here twice weekly, anyway, as if nothing had changed. The truth is, at least partly, that taking photos and writing are part of my routine, something I’m trying hard to hold onto at a time when it feels like so little is normal. I crave the familiarity of doing the things I used to do, but many – enjoying wine at a wine bar with friends, a mid-week dinner date, travel planning – remain out of reach. So I come back to photography and writing, to creation, because they are solitary, indoor activities that I can always fall back on. And that’s exactly what I need right now – things I can rely on, because so much that was once guaranteed is now uncertain.

But it’s not just that. The need to cling to the security of my life twelve weeks ago is only part of my motivation. My desire for familiarity manifests itself many different ways, and many of them are surprising. I scroll my phone with more intention these days, hoping to see posts from my favourite accounts, because I want to know how others are coping (and what loungewear they’re wearing.) I check my Bloglovin’ feed every morning for new posts. Often, it’s an exercise in (mild) disappointment. Everyone is dealing with different challenges right now and, as a result, many people are creating less. That leaves those of us who have more time than ever to read and react with less to engage with.

I don’t blame anyone who feels like they aren’t in the right headspace to create right now, or is dealing with other barriers that keep them from posting. But I miss the ones who aren’t around, much like I miss the friends I can’t see in person.

…and I realise that others feel the same way. That they might even feel the same way about me, if I stopped showing up here.

In my ordinary life, I loved new experiences and new adventures. (Except when ordering takout. I go for Pad Thai or vegetarian sushi every time, without exceptions, because why mess with success?) But life at the moment is far from ordinary, and I appreciate what little familiarity remains. A simple blog post from someone whose photos I enjoy goes a long way to brightening my dull days, and I hope that my posts can do the same for some of you. Either way, I’ll be here.

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