Summary

The article reflects on the significance of going outside, not just as a physical act but as an interaction with the world that involves personal presentation, emotional vibes, and the psychological transition between private and public spheres.

Abstract

The author emphasizes the daily routine of venturing outdoors, regardless of weather conditions, and the considerations that go into this act, such as attire and the image one presents to the world. The article delves into the philosophical aspects of leaving one's home, comparing it to stepping through a membrane into another world, and questions what we carry with us emotionally and mentally on this journey. It suggests that our external presentation is less impactful than the emotional 'vibes' we emit and receive from our surroundings. The text ponders the implications of a hypothetical scenario where the boundaries between our private and public lives dissolve, challenging our sense of identity, security, and vulnerability. It concludes by questioning the motivations behind our choices of attire and the protective roles they play, both literally and metaphorically, in shielding us from the external world.

Opinions

The author believes that our daily decision to go outside is influenced by more than just the weather, encompassing our emotional state and the image we wish to project.
There is a suggestion that we adopt roles or personas when we leave our homes, akin to actors preparing for a stage performance.
The article posits that the emotional 'vibes' we carry are more influential in our interactions with the world than our physical appearance or clothing.
It is implied that the dissolution of the boundary between our private and public selves could lead to a significant shift in self-identity and perception.
The text questions whether the clothes we choose serve not only to protect us from the elements but also as a form of emotional shielding.
The author speculates on the potential transformative effects of living without the conventional demarcation between our private and public lives.

Going Outside

Are you ready?

I leave my apartment every single day, no matter the weather. If the weather is bad I might only go outside once. If it’s good I’ll leave three to eight times. If it’s really good I might leave my apartment and almost forget to come back home.

But seriously, do we direct our lives according to the weather? Hopefully not. Do we leave our apartments with umbrellas or with ridiculous optimism and joy?

Sometimes before we go out we spend a ridiculous amount of time deciding what we will wear. We are concerned with the image we present to the world. Sometimes we go out because we’re out of eggs or smokes — and we may not care what image we present.

Sometimes we go outside just to get the hell out of inside.

But we go outside and we interact with a big, huge, crazy world.

Going outside is like walking through some kind of membrane. We are leaving one world and entering another. What do we take from one world into the other?

And what do we take from the other world into ours?

As we leave one world for another what do we bring into that other world besides appropriate clothing and perhaps an umbrella?

Before leaving home, what do we do besides getting dressed? Do we step into a role much like an actress prepares herself for a role she assumes before stepping onto stage? Do we assume a character and hide behind a mask?

Most importantly, what vibes do we bring with us?

Do you ever go into a convenience store or restaurant or other business on a regular basis and notice how the clerk or waitress reacts to the vibes that you chose to bring with you that day? Does the world react to the vibes you carry with you as you enter the world?

And more importantly, how do you react (or more precisely respond) to the vibes of that world? It’s all about vibes, right? The clothes don’t make as much of an impression as the vibes, right?

It’s all about the vibes. Someone said that, right?

What if the lines of demarcation between the world in your private home and the world ‘out there’ suddenly dissolve? What if you were suddenly naked and everyone in the world ‘out there’ could suddenly see your world ‘at home?’

And you had no umbrella?

Would your thinking become no longer demarcated? Would the two worlds become one? Would that create a mind-blowing shift in self-identity? Would you feel like you had no place to hide? Would your vulnerability be blown wide open?

Would you feel naked?

How would your dreams and possibilities change? Would you feel limitless or more limited? Would that line of demarcation now feel like what was holding you back? Or holding you in a mental state of security?

What do you wear when you go outside?

We look outside our window and see that it is cloudy and drizzly. We dress accordingly and bring our umbrella. Are we shielding ourselves from others as well as what the Universe is bringing us?

What are we afraid of? What are we hiding from?