What is sonder?

Sonder is the profound realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. It encompasses the understanding that every individual has their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and inherited craziness.

It's important to note that the term was coined by John Koenig and is part of The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, a project creating neologisms for emotions that lack a readily available name. Therefore, it is not a word with a long or established history in the English language. Its strength comes from its ability to give a name to a common, yet often unspoken, feeling of empathy and existential awareness. Understanding the concept helps cultivate a greater sense of compassion and perspective. Thinking about sonder may lead to a deeper appreciation for the human%20experience and the interconnectedness of all lives. It's a reminder that you are not the sole protagonist in a world of supporting characters, but rather an extra in everyone else's story.