The Importance of the In-between

By: Adi Zweibil Frischer

Having lived in two very different countries, and experiencing different methods of getting from one place to another, I now know how important the time in between is. The in-between of places are often disregarded because it is neither here nor there. We often pay more attention to the time spent before or after the “insignificant” moments of life. However, I rely on the calmer, and “less” important moments. I believe that the small occurrences that happen in between one place to another are the most meaningful. 

My “in-betweens” have varied in life. When I lived in Brazil, my transportation was to most places by car. The streets of São Paulo are not necessarily considered safe enough to walk in. Therefore, everyday before school I would spend one hour in traffic, in a tinted bulletproof car, music playing from the radio catered for my parents, with a permanent gray sky as my view. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I would arrive at school already drained. Not to mention the ride back after a long day of studies. 

The meaning of my route to school changed when I moved to the U.S. My house was conveniently seven minutes from the high school. So, I made it a habit to walk to school and back every day, even after I got my driver’s license. With the fresh air, feeling of safety, and headphones in, I would always get to school in a slightly better mood than when I had to wake up early just some time prior that morning. When you have taken a path many times, it does not take a lot of mental power to move, so my mind was left with only my thoughts and emotions. Therefore, the walk back home was always a time to process my day. If I got a really good grade, I would bask in that feeling the whole trek home. Whenever I had a bad day, I enjoyed having those few minutes to myself alone to feel all the negative emotions I needed to feel. 

My classes in school back in Brazil were stationary. The teachers would come to us while we stayed in the classroom. Sitting in an awkward silence, staring at the same view of the 

same classroom we have been in for hours did nothing to re-energize our young minds before our next subject. Since moving to the United States, I have always considered those quick 5 minute walks while changing classes a critical part of my day. It was a perfect time to connect with class friends about the difficult test, or bond over a boring class. A simple enthusiastic “hi” while walking the halls has always been enough to elevate my mood. 

Through my experiences in Brazil and the United States it is safe to say that I have learned to prioritize my times “in-between”. Staying stationary, and not allowing my body and mind to re-energize can deeply affect my experience of where I am heading to next. I recommend that anyone who lives in a place where they can walk around freely outside, should do so as much as possible. It might just turn a bad day into a great one.