People Watching
Originally uploaded by Gobdol

Lets get things straight right of the bat - we're not talking about creepy stalker behaviour but utilisation of the power of observation. In a world that moves too fast, why not take some time out to slow the pace and observe the goings on around you?

Wikipedia describes observation at the activity of "receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses". Use your daily observational experiences to grasp a greater understanding of yourself through your relation and reaction to those in your proximity. Take in the motions of others and gain richer gratitude for the experiences you enjoy in your day to day.

Though, observation need not be explored only through watching, but through listening, smelling and touching too. Utilising our other senses may seem somewhat redundant while dealing with the concept of drawing from the experience of observing those around us. However, it is worth remembering that we possess such senses. A simple way to exercise and strengthen our other senses is to close our eyes and hone in on the observations we can still make without our the use of our sight.

Why not:

Take that stool in the window of Starbucks instead of relegating yourself to the far dark back corner. Watch the traffic, the pedestrians, the mums with prams and the suits on their way to and from the office.

Close your eyes while sitting in a coffee shop, guess what the women beside you is drinking. You can smell the strong espresso, but is that a sweet caramel note too? What about the deep delicious aroma of cocoa on a chilly morning... breath deep & enjoy. Decide what their coffee says about them, create characters in your mind.

Take note of the subtly or otherwise of a persons hand when greeting with a handshake. Imagine just what kind of tasks you imagine they have done with their hands.... are their hands tough from years of toiling away in their prized garden... or soft from dedication to Creme de la Mer?

Sit on a park bench with a book in hand, sneakily peering out over the top at the people as they pass. Look at the way they piece together their outfit, draw inspiration and plot your weeks wardrobe.

Sit at the back of the bus, watch as people get on board and write prose about the life you imagine they lead.

Lay in the grass on a sunny day, close your eyes for a few minutes and listen to the conversations around you. (hey, if they're being had in a park, it can be considered for the taking!) Listen too, for the other sounds you miss out on when rushing through your city ordinarily.

Keep an eye out as you go about your day, take one earphone out and stare out, not down, help those who need it - offer seats on public transport, help the person struggling with too many bags, hold the door open for the person with their hands full.


Do you take time out of your busy day/week/life to people watch? Is observation a sorely overlooked simple pleasure and gainful life experience?