Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Dark Streets and Lighted Windows

An essay on loneliness and living in New York City during the pandemic of 2020.

All you Rear Window fans will understand why I love looking at windows. James Stewart's character watched his neighbors' lives through their windows while he sat in front of his, nursing a broken leg. But, most of the time, when I look out my own window or walk around in New York City, I can't see inside the windows. They're too high up or too far away or the shades are drawn. But they fascinate me for different reasons. I wonder, when I see a lighted window, who lives there and what their life is like.

An essay on loneliness and living in New York City during the pandemic of 2020.

Usually it's just a mild curiosity but spending this past year in relative isolation has increased my interest. When there are no open restaurants, theaters, museums, etc. walking the city was one of the few things I could do to clear my head and calm my nerves. I'd take my dog and stroll around. And I'd look at the windows and wonder about the people who live behind them. Are they alone or do they live with someone? Are they happy? Are they well? 

An essay on loneliness and living in New York City during the pandemic of 2020.

Social media is a sort of window into people's lives but it is almost always the highlight reel. The actual truth lies behind these windows. For most of this year I have been alone except for my dog. I am well but I am not always happy. I don't like to be alone. 

An essay on loneliness and living in New York City during the pandemic of 2020.

When we have too much time to think, it can be easy to imagine that everyone is better off than we are. That the lives behind those lighted windows are better than mine. But I know it's often not true. I know the people who live there have bills piled up, medical problems, family arguments, pain and loss. Not always. Sometimes they are happy just as I have sometimes been happy this year. 

An essay on loneliness and living in New York City during the pandemic of 2020.

In the "before times" I was in and out of my apartment all day. I work from home but I was walking my dog and getting into conversations with other dog owners, running errands, picking up packages, meeting friends. My neighbors often knocked on my door or I had texted them to come eat leftovers from a photo shoot. I enjoyed all the interaction. Now it is minimal, out of safety, and I am often alone. 

An essay on loneliness and living in New York City during the pandemic of 2020.

But I wander through the city and I look at the windows and I want to know about the people inside. What are they doing tonight? Are they watching the same Netflix shows I am? Are they happy? Are they well? Are they lonely like I am, waiting for life to open up again?

Sometimes I think we see only those things that we desire and that's often families and friends gathering, celebrating holidays, toasting the incoming new year. We do not see what's hidden behind the windows. How many will be alone on New Year's Eve? I will be although I'm resolved to treat myself well. I will make a festive charcuterie board for one and pour myself a great cocktail. I will make plans and be optimistic. I hope the people behind the windows will be too.

3 comments:

  1. Love the site!
    I once heard the English word for someone who looks at (& enjoys) lit windows: do you know that word?
    Kind regards, Andrew

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  2. I somehow stumbled on your lovely Lit Windows post, it' so atmospheric and emotive. Lockdown was hard, but it led some of us to creativity such as this! I also have a thing for lighted windows.

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  3. I forgot how I got here, but I love your Lit Windows post! I have done the same thing myself; wondering if people are well, what their lives are like, do they pets.. and so on. Many years ago when I picked my daughter up from school, we would walk home looking at the windows! Christmas time was especially lovely, when the evenings were dark and the lights were bright! Thank you for your blog. x

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