Motion Sickness in a Static World

I get dizzy easily. I mean, if I spin out of a desk chair too fast, I need to lie down. I often fantasize about owning a Victorian fainting couch just so I can properly stage the drama of my equilibrium failing. Despite that, I will still ride a carousel. There is something about mounting a wooden dragon and watching the scenery never change. But after the first two go-arounds—and the realization that this ride is longer than expected—it opens a unique opportunity to really study that static landscape.

I live on that same loop. I have a stable routine of work, home life, and desperate attempts at fitness. But the constant flow from one familiar place to the next can be dizzying. The landscape rarely changes. It's easy to get bored and start daydreaming. I have time, anyway; life is a pretty long ride.

When life gets demanding and I am bored with the scenery, it's easy to snuggle up to my wife and browse Zillow for our new home, in our new town, with our new life. No more boring nothing. But here is the rub: this isn't our first city. Everywhere is pretty once, but after a few rides, you get the layout. The daily, mundane movements of being alive make it easy to glaze over the landscape.

So, I offer a challenge. That jogger you pass every day heading home? See if you notice anything different about them from the start of the week to the end. You might find a piece of your imagination starting to warm up. Next thing you know, you might even find your own life charming again.

There is nothing wrong with searching for other landscapes, but it is important to understand what you are actually looking for. That perfect view might be closer than you think. Besides, who actually enjoys moving?

Word Count: ~285 words

Approximate Read Time: 1 minute, 15 seconds