A universe of little things
Before 2020, travel ruled my life. In 2019, still basking in the afterglow of incredible trips to Iran and Japan, I planned my next adventure in the snow-capped peaks of Pakistan’s Hunza Valley. The food looked outstanding. The people were reported to be kinder and more gracious than anyone else. I couldn’t wait - then COVID hit.
Life completely changed and 2020 became the first year in my life that my passport didn’t acquire a new stamp. Travel was demoted to a distant fantasy and I celebrated my first anniversary with my boyfriend via Skype during lockdown.
Anyways - how is this all a creative prompt?
We all have a castle we’re building in the clouds, waiting for the day our efforts become a flawless happily-ever-after. Then things happen that change us and the world permanently. It seems those dreams are forever shattered.
But the universe is made out of little things, the tiniest things. Seemingly scattered throughout space at random, yet coming together to create planets, water, and us - all with such specificity and purpose. Remember last week’s prompt? Follow your North Star. That way, no matter what chaos life throws at you… you’re still building the little things that always seem to end up taking off with a life of their own, even if it’s when you least expect it.
That year of lockdown that I spent indoors with an expiring passport and an arsenal of instant ramen in the cupboard was the year I bought the domain for Escapist Handbook, hoping one day it would be a travel blog full of images, illustrations, and travel stories.
When I launched Escapist Handbook as a creative studio this year, I had the domain and many assets already lovingly created by 2020 me. The boyfriend I virtually celebrated a first anniversary with is now my husband, and instead of Skype dates, we enjoy home-cooked meals in our own beautiful home.
I suppose all this is a roundabout way of saying… life is not always clear. But keep nurturing the little things, and you never know when it’ll be their turn to nurture you.
