Contrasts in society are exposed all too frequently: the contrast between the rich and the poor, the young and the old and between different social groups. Contrast at an individual level is emphasized far less frequently, and I feel there is a wealth of possibilities worth scrutinizing. In this time, where the days of the week occasionally lose their name and become a tangle of time, it is more important than ever to sometimes continue to create contrasts yourself.
Humans are not designed for contrast by nature. Your brain rapidly becomes accustomed to the highs and lows. It uses the experiences of the last few weeks to reassess the point of departure. This is why you often no longer even realize whether you are on a low of high tide.
Humans are not designed for contrast by nature
Something that amazes me, for example, is that a weak sun and 17 degrees in February is cause to take a walk outside, while the same conditions in August would keep you indoors. In the summer, you have already experienced a multitude of beautiful days. It is almost a pity that you can only enjoy a new situation for such a short time before it feels normal.
Wouldn’t you want to undress your partner five times an evening and dress them again fifteen minutes later just for the pleasure of undressing them again? Just so you could relive that drumroll moment again.
Wouldn’t you want to undress your partner five times an evening and dress them again fifteen minutes later?
How awesome would it be to have all four seasons occur every month? Spring in each first week, followed by summer, fall, and a week of winter. Being able to sunbathe and ice-skate in the space of a month. To see the leaves change from fresh green to the colour of overripe mangos in under four weeks.
What works for me to get out of the rut is to seek out people outside of my usual bubble. Friends I seldomly speak to or family members I don’t get along with all that well. When I get home, I appreciate my pleasant university environment all the more. Now that un-bubbling is more difficult due to corona, you could always hang that one painting in your room upside down. Or, if you want to take a more drastic step, temporarily switch rooms with a housemate.
Oscar Delissen is a third-year bachelor’s student in Food Technology. He enjoys cooking with sharp knives and colourful festival shirts.