My street

2021, working from home. I can get so annoyed by my view outside. I am working hard, providing my kids with food on time – you know in between video calls. And important ones! It's important work, after all. So high pressure, you have to keep going. And then you look across the street....

And there he is. Quietly reading a book in his easy chair. And in the afternoon after his luxurious lunch where he always takes a lot of time for...he calls for hours relaxing and having fun - it's probably not about anything compared to my stressful and serious business calls. 

I look at my neighbour and wish for a more relaxing life for me and my kids. It is unfair!

And then a specific moment, another day in lock-down. I have my tense conversations. And my projects that involve premature babies, vitamin-enriched products for sick people. Projects with deadlines and so on…..

I have a break - finally. 

And as I'm standing outside blowing off some steam...he happens to come for a round.  And I say: ‘Hello, so finally I have a break. It's busy.'

‘Yes. You still have work.’

And I say ‘Oh... How's it going...are you looking for new work?’

'Not for a while. My mother is seriously ill, I'm calling her more often now.'

Ouch.

In my street we have started living in a bubble! 

Our OWN bubble.

All the street lives its own little life here. We don't know what the others are going through.

We fill it in. We look from behind our windows at the neighbours and....

The neighbour who has invested in a big LED TV so he can watch movies properly now at home. Yes, get jealous, but he is just divorced and needs the distraction. And that TV is seen by the big family across the street, an entrepreneur with money problems and five kids - who could never afford it. It's a big mess over there at home, a lively bunch. And that is seen by the well-groomed lady on the corner who lives alone. Who finds a living room like that especially ‘cosy’.  

And so on…

We live the life the other person dreams of.

It reminds me of this wonderful short film I recently watched again: Neighbours Window youtube link 

So, I now take longer breaks more often after watching Neighbour Across the Road. I think that was what I needed to see. I see my neighbour taking time as a healthy reminder and try to adopt that.

And I also bought a card to wish strength to him and his mother.

As long as I keep looking, especially at people in my street - I remain a beautiful person.