The other day, I was wandering through a store, looking for something to wear to a wedding.
Miley Cyrus’s voice floated through the speakers from her recent song: ‘Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world’.
It’s an easy song to sing along to, light and catchy.
But as I hummed along, I couldn’t help thinking how we go to great lengths to dress up, look good, and show up for special occasions.
We spend hours, sometimes days, preparing for a single event.
Yet, how often do we show up for the environment around us? One that needs us.
Because lately, I’ve been struggling to stay positive in a place that feels like it’s literally falling apart – and fast.
I am not only referring to the South Coast but gosh, I was horrified recently by the appalling state of Durban and surrounding suburbs.
Litter lines the overgrown verges, trash piles up, and so many buildings desperately need a lick of fresh paint. No pretty gardens, just tatty, unkept spaces.
Where has our pride gone? It’s as if nobody cares about their neighbourhoods anymore.
What’s worse is that it now seems normal to throw your litter down and walk away, thus adding to the problem instead of making things better.
Sadly, there are very few areas, cities, towns or suburbs that truly stand out anymore.
Most are weighed down by the same neglect.
It’s depressing and I find myself wondering: why have we accepted living in such decay?
There is nothing pretty about dirt.
Urban decay is not just about buildings or streets – it affects our mental health.
You can drive the most beautiful car, but if you park it in an overgrown and shabby yard, the shine fades a little.
In the same way, we can dress ourselves up, but if our surroundings are neglected, it chips away at our pride and joy.
If we’re going to pretend it’s not the end of the world, then let’s do more than just carry on as usual.
Let’s make our streets, verges and public spaces worth showing up for.
Because when our environment looks good, we, ourselves feel a little prettier – and that’s no pretend.
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