Sometimes life doesn't have to be so fast. It doesn't have to be chased by time, targets, or expectations that we sometimes create ourselves. Sitting on a wooden bench that's starting to wear with age, I savor a simple, warm bowl of instant noodles, and somehow it tastes even more delicious today. Maybe it's because I'm hungry, or maybe it's because today I've decided to truly pause and enjoy what's in front of me.
As I slowly spoon the noodles into my mouth, my left hand holds my phone. I open a short video, watching someone speak in a familiar dialect, full of stories that feel so close to everyday life. Her face looks tired, but full of enthusiasm. Perhaps she, too, is sharing small moments like this: about life that's imperfect, but real and as it is.
The sound of a spoon clattering against a pink plastic plate is striking, but that's precisely what makes it so unique. Outside, the ground is still wet from last night's rain. The fresh, slightly damp air and the smell of earth seeping through the cracks in the wood add to the peacefulness of this morning. There's no luxury here, but it's precisely in this imperfection that I find wholeness. Something that can't be bought or borrowed: sincerity and a sense of sufficiency.
Moments like these aren't listed on the calendar as "important," but somehow they feel more precious than many of the things often flaunted on social media. This isn't about image, not about success or achievement, but about being an ordinary human being who occasionally stops, chews noodles leisurely, and laughs at a short video while swaying her feet carefree.
Today I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to sit here, finish the last instant noodles in the kitchen, and let my mind wander for a while, before tomorrow I'm back to the busy, ever-moving world.
Note: I am writing in Indonesian and using the help of Google translate to translate into English.
All gifts from this post will be burned and made into strength to support other hivers posts.
| Photographer | Smartphone used | Location |
|---|---|---|
| @gunting | Realme C53 | Aceh Province. Indonesian Country. |