Nostalgically exemplified by Proust's humble Madeleine , the simple everyday has a charming permanence that is far too often overlooked. Sitting on a London tube early morning and glancing at the familiar fashions, coffee holders, watch straps, cuff links and closed eyes, it's clear - indeed inevitable - that these sensory facts are neglected without so much of a morsel of contemplation. However, it is within the tapestry of this everyday that the threads of our thoughts, ideas and emotions are woven.
It is those myriad fashions, those typically British coffee holders, those generic ties and those cuff links that were fished out of ones bottom drawer. that provide cohesion and permanence, saving us from the potential insanity brought on by an ever-changing tide of politics, current affairs and the economy.
Despite the arguable monopoly of literary classics when it comes to romanticizing the banal, access to the unexpected charms of a pint at the local public house, and the purchasing of a double-shot espresso each morning from the same kiosk, are unhindered by social class. In fact, the daily realities of life in the 21st-century are reassuringly far-removed from the dichotomies of the 'elite' and 'the people' that the media love to depict. That is not to say that stark inequities don't exist, but rather that life outside of econometric data and statisticians' reports is more unified than one would think.
With the inter-connectivity of people the world over and the avail of modern technology, we are inundated with constant reminders of the need for Carpe Diem, 'you only live once' decisions, exotic adventures and intrepid explorations of far flown lands, all presented to us conveniently through the omnipotent medium of Instagram. Whilst the wonder of discovering new geographies and peoples mustn't be understated, the banal of the everyday should likewise be a cause for celebration, the pleasures of which are easily enjoyed without the need to meticulously plan airport transfers, inoculations and the tailoring of ones budget for months on end.
For it may well be, perhaps at surface-level, frustrating that many of us live out our daily lives with pub trips, supermarket visits, clothes shopping, and, without trying too hard to channel Paul Weller, pneumatic drills and ripped-up concrete. However, why should we see these 'things' as necessarily mundane? There is surely a satisfaction to be taken from the fact that these things all symbolize, if nothing else, a secure and comfortable existence within a modern world that seems to be otherwise filled with widespread incertitude and angst.
Leaving apart the 'spiritual' narratives of mindfulness, the esoteric, living in the moment, yoga and so-called 'awareness', the everyday rhythm of commonly occurring events simply acts as testament to our ability to continue to enjoy the smaller things in life.
It is easy, often tempting, to take for granted the routine situations in which we find ourselves during the average week - when you're stuck in rush hour and can't move your legs on the train, it's no wonder that the banal is almost held in disdain. However, just as a young backpacker would stand in awe at the godly serenity of mountain views and Amazonian rainforests, so should the everyday citizen hold a loving appreciation for all that makes up our everyday lives, no matter how bad the traffic, or the weather.