Why Small Places Still Matter

Hello ☺️ This is my first time writing here, and I am very excited.

I have always loved to write, but somehow I felt out of place every time I tried. I would start with huge motivation, thinking it would be wonderful — I had so many things I wanted to write down and share. But once I got into it, I would lose the rhythm and give up after a while.

Interestingly though, throughout the years, I always found my way back to writing in one way or another. Many times we tend to feel that if we are not perfect at something, it’s not even worth trying or spending time on it. But it’s true that practice makes perfect — we have to keep doing something to become really good at it.

So… I am writing 🙂

Today something extraordinary happened. It wasn’t a huge thing, but it felt like one. Something simple, but still inspiring — something that made me unexpectedly emotional.

Nowadays, I often feel irritated and tired. Sometimes I experience sudden waves of gratitude or cheerfulness (I learnt not long ago how important it is to not allow ourselves be consumed by stresses and to intentionally practice gratitude for all good things we have), but most of the time I feel like I am just surviving — waking up, doing my tasks, and going to bed.

I woke up early, did some chores, opened my computer, and started working. Then my son woke up and we chatted. My husband left for work, and my son and I went to a small printing shop nearby to print some documents my husband needed for the tax office.

The shop is about three minutes away. On the way back, we stopped by my favorite yarn shop to buy some yarn. We were done quickly, and the weather was so lovely that I didn’t want to rush home, knowing I would have to continue working — answering customers, billing, dealing with online accounts, and other issues. So I told my son we would take the longer way home.

As we were walking and talking, I noticed the tiny honey shop on the left. Outside, there was a small game — a red button and a clock. The sign said that if you could stop the clock at exactly 10.00 seconds, you would win a tiny jar of honey. I thought my son would love this, so we went in and asked the lady if we could try. She said, “Of course.”

My son didn’t quite understand at first. On his second try, he stopped at 9.30 seconds. He wanted another attempt, but the rule was that you could only try twice. Then it was my turn — I didn’t win either.

We thanked her and were about to leave when she quickly said, “It’s okay — come inside and try some honey.” She was warm and welcoming, but -I could tell- also strong-willed. So we followed her.

Inside that tiny shop was an amazing sight: all kinds of honey jars — small, medium, large — and so many mixtures I couldn’t even look at all of them: chestnut honey, sunflower honey, honey with orange, matcha, caramel, and many other honey products. Nothing artificial, everything natural and locally made.

I was surprised and happy. I love natural things, and I know how powerful and healing honey can be.

She gave us little wooden sticks and opened jar after jar for us to taste. She explained what each type was good for, what she would recommend, how they were made.

I am an introvert and I love my small world and routines. But somehow, this conversation with this lovely woman made me feel deeply good. She validated some of my thoughts and feelings. There was nothing negative in her voice. She didn’t push us to buy anything, she simply shared her thoughts and knowledge.

She even asked my son if he would like a hot fruit-honey drink and made one for him, for free.

I chose two jars of honey, and when I paid, I noticed she had entered a lower price into the card machine.

When we left, she walked us to the door.

I remember seeing this shop open about a year ago. I rarely saw people go in. It’s surrounded by fast food places, restaurants, and three shopping malls nearby. Huge sales, flashy advertisements, the newest “McSomething,” discounted perfume, face creams. And yet, there she was. Selling something simple, real and honest.

On the way home, I realized how grateful I am that a little shop like this exists near me. Not just fried chicken, desserts, sugary drinks and noise.

Tell me, in a world full of noise and big companies fighting for our attention, what small, quiet place has made you feel truly seen?