pica
n. the smallest measurable unit of human connection, typically exchanged between passing strangers—a flirtatious glance, a sympathetic nod, a shared laugh about some odd coincidence—moments that are fleeting and random but still contain powerful emotional nutrients that can alleviate the symptoms of feeling alone.
I still have some of these that happened years ago, stored away in areas of memory that I even sometimes remember to go looking in at the right times.
Reminds me of something John Darnielle said once that has also stayed with me. I don’t remember the source, but I think it may have been a radio interview?
“Loneliness is something you carry with you, it’s not something you experience because you’re alone.”
(via cleversimon)
