Sonder is a term that's gained popularity recently, and it's not hard to see why. In a world where everyone's obsessed with their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, it's refreshing to find a word that captures the idea of appreciating others' lives, even when you're stuck in your own.
Coined by a British author in 2013, sonder is a fancy way of saying you wonder about the inner lives of strangers. It's the feeling of being stuck in a crowded train car, wondering what everyone else is thinking, dreaming, or feeling. It's the sensation of being at a party and noticing the intricacies of someone else's relationship, or the realization that your neighbor's messy apartment is, in fact, a reflection of their beautiful, messy soul.
It's a word that's equal parts poignant and absurd, like finding yourself lost in thought, wondering what the person next to you on the bus is thinking about their cat. And yet, it's a feeling we've all experienced at some point in our lives. So, let's all take a moment to appreciate the sonder in our lives, and maybe, just maybe, we'll find a little more joy in the mundane.
Sonder in Pop Culture: The Movie, the Book, the Meme Sonder and the Philosophy of Emptiness: Is There More to Life Than We Think?