Issue 20, sonder and strangers

You know that feeling when you’re sitting in cafe, staring at a stranger and wondering what their story is? There's a word for that: sonder. It's the mind-blowing realization that we’re all main characters in our own lives. And this week, we’re diving into how this concept can be used for creative inspiration. Here are some of the coolest examples of this we can think of.

"The podcast shorter than your subway ride, recorded on your subway ride."

The New York Times

You’ve heard of Humans of New York, but have you heard of Subway Takes? Hosted by Kareem Rahma and Andrew Kuo, this show hits the NYC subway to ask passengers one simple (yet loaded) question: “What’s your take?”. People share their most controversial opinions, right there on the train! Check it out for the wildest opinions you didn’t know you needed to hear.

"There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't met yet."

William Butler Yeats, poet

Ever see a stranger and wonder, “What’s it like being you?” Well, The Strangers Project has been asking that exact question for over 14 years and has collected more than 85,000 hand-written, anonymous stories from people all around the world. These anonymous stories, covering everything from love to loss, offer a raw glimpse into the lives of strangers. It's a reminder of how complex yet familiar the human experience can be. Check them out on Instagram.

"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes."

Mary T. Lathrap, poet

You know the phrase 'to walk in someone else’s shoes'? Well, the Empathy Museum takes that idea super literally. You actually put on a stranger’s shoes — yes, their real shoes — and listen to their story as you walk around in them. If plain old people-watching just isn't cutting it anymore, this is one way to take it to the next level.

Alter. Sonder

Create a backstory for a random person on a train – let your creativity transform a fleeting glance into a rich narrative.

practice

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