What Lies Behind the Blinds? A Moment of Shared Humanity

By Shannon Bussnick, LSW

The act of drawing the blinds carries the weight of a thousand stories. It’s a universal occurrence, one that many of us partake in, yet it’s stamped with the unique essence of individuality. There’s something inherently human about the motion of opening or closing those slightly dusted panels that have us all hooked, whether we admit it or not. It’s a mundane task, yes, but isn’t life a collection of such moments, stitched together to form our existence?

Imagine, if you will, a quiet street at dusk. The houses, lined like notes on a musical staff, each playing their part in the evenings symphony. Lights flicker on, one by one, as the sun bids farewell, and with it, the blinds draw to a close.

But what stories lie behind these daily gestures? Is it merely the end of a day, or could it be the closing of a chapter, heavy with the weight of the unseen? Perhaps it’s the long-awaited removal of one’s mask, a decloaking, a breath of fresh air.

In these moments of transition, from day to night and back again, we find a mirror to our own lives. The act of drawing the blinds is both an awakening and a conclusion, a boundary between the world and us. It symbolizes hope at the dawn, as the light seeps in, promising new opportunities, new battles to be fought, and new joys to be discovered. And as the blinds close, there’s a sense of belonging—to a family, to oneself, or perhaps to the comforting embrace of solitude.

The beauty of it all lies in the mystery. As you pass by a window, catching a glimpse of someone in the midst of this daily ritual, there’s an unspoken connection, a sense of shared vulnerability. It’s a reminder that, despite our seemingly disparate lives, our emotions, challenges, and aspirations might not be so different. We all yearn for love, strive for success, and seek solace in the quiet moments.

But what of the day sandwiched between the opening and closing of the blinds? Could it be that the person you see is celebrating a triumph or nursing a wound?

Maybe both.

Or maybe they’re meandering through the mundanity of life, counting down the hours until they can retreat to their sanctuary once more. The mystery is intriguing, I must admit, presenting a silent invitation to ponder the infinite possibilities that exist within the walls of each home.

And should your eyes meet, in that brief window of connection, what then? A smile, a wave, perhaps an awkward glance away.

While I can’t be sure of the appropriate response, these are the moments that remind us of our shared journey, and how in the grand scheme of things, we’re not so alone. That can be enough for many of us, the significance of a mundane act pushing us forward. That slight acknowledgment could be exactly what we needed, a signal that, despite the vastness of our world, we’re all just neighbors. Even if we never say hello.

So, the next time you find yourself witnessing this seemingly trivial act that is one of us opening or closing our blinds, a unique rarity in my opinion, remember the depth it carries. It’s a testament to the cyclical nature of life, to the endless possibilities each new day holds, and to the shared human experience that binds us all—behind the blinds or in front of them. We may live apart, but in these small moments, rests a profound sense of unity and understanding.

And remember, this act of curiosity doesn’t have to be perceived as nosy or invasive, in the absence of better words. But rather, as an act of awareness, recognizing the common thread that ties us all together.

So here’s to the mystery behind the blinds, to the stories untold, the vulnerabilities we shelter, and to the hope that tomorrow brings. Let’s keep drawing the blinds, turning on the lights, and looking forward to the next chapter—or light-filtering upgrade.

And if our eyes do happen to meet in that fleeting moment of shared humanity, and you happen to catch me, or another, in a less-than-glorious, just-rolled-out-of-bed look, what’s the worst-case scenario? We all have an alarm system at this point, right?