As you pass through the center of Shibuya Crossing in Japan, you are hit with the gravity of interconnected lives and diverse stories. An estimated 1,000 to 2,500 people cross the intersection every two minutes, and travelers merge in the perfect example of sonder.
Sonder is described as the strong feeling of realizing that every person you see has their own life story in which they are the most important person, according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
Let’s face it, we are increasingly becoming polarized, divided and pitted against each other. We find ways to disagree with one another to prove why we cannot possibly relate to them. We focus on sorting ourselves into categories based on morals, viewpoints and human rights perspectives.
Polarization is rooted in politics, but the end goal is profit. Partisan divides are shaping businesses, with workplaces divided by political parties and investment returns, credit ratings and greater economic growth influenced.
Among a society filled with animosity, there is a light swirling around at the end of the tunnel in the way we perceive others, specifically through the positivity and realization of sonder.
Instead of siding with division, we can side with awareness and understanding of others. In terms of sonder, enjoying the little things and appreciating the depth of any given person are good ways to start.
I recall a few specific moments in my own everyday life where I've found peaceful minutes of reflection in others.
Specifically, my good friend and I were aiding with election support outside of Baker University Center, a hub for students in the heart of Ohio University’s main campus. While we sat outside for most of the morning, our presence on the corner felt like a fixed hand on a clock.
Watching people go to and from class, talk with friends, etc., gave me a true sense of appreciation for humans just being humans. Specifically, how our species interacts with each other, picking up on small cues, emotions and connections.
I remember the bus driver on her regular loop passed us at least five times while we were sitting outside. Every time she would pass us, she would wave, each time with joy for interaction.
Even though we were sitting there looking at the same trees, bricks, generally the same people and having a similar conversation across multiple hours, I was struck by how our short interaction was the convergence of two full and busy people.
She had been around the entire city with her loop, interacting with locals and other people driving cars, but our small presence in her loop was something positive to be had, giving me a sense of sonder.
I often think about this in the context of other interactions as well. For example, after walking home one night to unlock my front door, I noticed a few men walking behind me on the street. Once I got inside and locked the door behind me, I heard them yell out, “pumpkin.”
Reminiscent of the popular TikTok sound that was circulating at the time, they noticed the baby pumpkin sitting on my front porch. I felt a sense of sonder at the idea that my small baby pumpkin sitting on the front porch allowed them even just a small moment of joy and camaraderie.
An ongoing record high of Americans are fearful of toxic polarization. According to Politico, 59% of Americans say political polarization is much or somewhat worse than five years ago.
Similarly, the AP-NORC Center reports over half of Americans say political polarization is extremely or very threatening to the United States.
The concept of sociopolitical stress also has an impact on students. With a constant exposure and discussion of political topics, ideologies and civic engagement, students are increasingly implicating their mental health in navigating viewpoints.
Sociopolitical stress includes social relations, governance and culture. According to the American Psychological Association, election stress during the 2024 cycle affected 77% of U.S. Adults, when in 2016, only 52% of U.S. adults reported the same stress.
The reality is, there is money to be made in driving people apart rather than allowing them to enjoy the little things and love humans for being.
So next time you see the guy with the banjo in the tree on Court Street or the lady selling flower stems on the corner of Court and Union streets, appreciate them and notice sonder.
With love,
Emily
Emily Stokes is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email Emily at es542222@ohio.edu
