Today I went shopping close to Hackescher Markt, which, despite not being the weekend, was full with people. It was sunny and hot and there were people and bikes and cars and trams (and yes, boats) everywhere.
I started reading „Rheinsberg“ from Kurt Tucholsky, and one of the first pages, he makes the claim that the hustle and noise of the city drains one’s energy, even if you don’t notice it anymore at some point.
Is that true? I’m not sure it’s true. I’m not sure it’s true because when I’m in the calm countryside, do I really feel like I have more energy? Also: Energy for what? For taking care of my kids? For doing the dishes? For social interactions? Am I able to concentrate for longer in complex conversations after a day spent in a cabin in the woods? Actually: Maybe. Maybe that’s true.
The city gives you cultural, visual input that the countryside can’t, though, and I do feel motivated and energetic when inspiration hits.
Maybe the perfect life would be spent in a calm, boring village; with (bi)weekly visits to the inspirational city.