Sonder (n.)

This term describes the moment when you realize that every random passerby is living a life as intricate and vivid as your own. Each person is filled with their own dreams, friends, daily routines, concerns, and inherited quirks—a rich narrative that unfolds around you like an unseen anthill, with countless lives interconnected yet often unknown to you.

Fata Organa (n.)

A fleeting glimpse of genuine emotion observed in someone across the room, seemingly lost in conversation. Their eyes may shine with vulnerability, quiet anticipation, or even a hint of boredom, giving you a backstage pass to their unfiltered self.

Chase Matthew's "Darlin'" captures this essence beautifully, showcasing the complexity of emotions that lie beneath the surface.

Anemoia (n.)

This term refers to a nostalgic feeling for a time you have never experienced. Imagine stepping into a faded memory, observing the lives of those who existed before you, sharing the same air and gazing at the same moon, yet leading entirely different lives.

Catoptric Tristesse (n.)

This describes the sorrow of never fully knowing how others perceive you, whether positively or negatively. Despite reflecting each other like mirrors, the true image of ourselves is often softened and distorted, leaving us pondering how we truly come across.

Gnossienne (n.)

A moment of realization that even those you've known for years harbor private, enigmatic lives. Within their personality lies a door locked to you, an unexplored area of their existence that remains tantalizingly out of reach.

Nighthawk (n.)

This term refers to those nagging thoughts that haunt you late at night. Tasks left undone, guilty feelings, or uncertainties about the future can linger in your mind, only to resurface when you're trying to find peace in sleep.

Kairosclerosis (n.)

The awareness that you are currently experiencing happiness. The act of consciously trying to savor this feeling often leads to its dissolution, leaving you with only a faint trace of that joy.

Onism (n.)

This word captures the realization of how little of the world you will actually experience. Picture yourself at an airport, staring at a departures screen filled with enticing locations you may never visit, as you remain rooted in your own reality.

Chrysalism (n.)

This term embodies the serene feeling of being inside during a thunderstorm, listening to the rain tap against the roof. The muffled sounds create a sense of tranquility, as you comprehend the tension being released outside.

Opia (n.)

This word describes the complex emotions felt when looking someone in the eye, a gaze that is both invasive and revealing.

Monachopsis (n.)

The subtle yet persistent sensation of feeling out of place, a common experience that many can relate to.

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Jorja Smith's "Feelings" featuring J Hus further explores the nuances of these emotions, adding depth to our understanding of how we connect with others.