The Lost Art of People-Watching
Written By : Jacqueline Rappa
Lately, I’ve been struggling with what to write about. I feel uninspired, which is frustrating, especially because I consume so much media. Podcasts, TikToks, movies, books... but none of it seems to stick. How, in a world where creativity is constant and content is everywhere, do I still feel blocked?
It’s burnout. It’s fatigue. It’s comparison.
I scroll and see a video and think, why didn’t I think of that first? Why didn’t I pair that outfit together or land on that thought-provoking realization?
Yesterday, on my commute to work, I unplugged. No scrolling. No reading. (Okay, I still listened to music.) But a few minutes into the train ride, something shifted. Thoughts started to come to me, thoughts that felt solely mine. I was watching my surroundings, the people, and embracing the moment I was in. It all just clicked.
Being inspired by what’s tangibly in front of you feels like more of an art form than finding inspiration from behind a screen.
These days, people-watching feels like a rebellious act. When are we ever truly unplugged? There’s always a new email, a new podcast episode, another season of reality TV. And don’t get me wrong, I love all forms of media. When you consume with intention, it can lift your mood or spark conversation. But getting out of your comfort zone? That’s where the shift really happens. For me, that shift is as simple as looking up from my phone.
During my forty minutes of people-watching, I noticed an older woman with purple hair. I caught myself making an assumption – maybe she never felt bold enough to dye her hair when she was younger. Maybe confidence came with age. And with that observation, I realized that things like hair color and fashion choices can be small acts of protest.
I noticed two guys around my age talking nearby. At first, I thought they were friends, but as I kept listening (yes, I was eavesdropping), I realized they had just met on the commute. They were talking about their jobs. And it struck me – even in this digital age, we’re still capable of connecting organically.
People-watching is a forgotten art, one we should all make more time for. The world unfolds in the people around us, each person offering a glimpse into a different perspective or story. There’s so much to absorb just by observing: the way someone expresses their individuality, or even how birds fly together like they’ve rehearsed it a hundred times. There’s a sense of wonder in these small, fleeting moments. Especially in a city, where life is always in motion, try soaking in what’s actually happening around you, not what’s on your screen.