Some writers create not just stories but entire worlds that resonate deeply. Rebecca Solnit is one such voice, whose metaphor of the “blue of distance” captures both the physical and emotional landscapes of longing and unattainability.
In her reflections, Solnit describes how blue appears at the edges of the world—in deep water, on distant horizons—not as a tangible entity but as scattered light, a phenomenon that evokes the beauty of what is out of reach. She writes, “The color of that distance is the color of an emotion… of where you are not.”
This metaphor extends beyond nature, speaking to life’s inherent contradictions—the pull between where we are and where we long to be. The blue of distance represents solitude, desire, and the beauty of yearning for the unattainable.
In beauty and self-expression, this idea resonates: we often seek perfection, glimpsing it momentarily but never fully grasping it. Yet, much like the distant blue, our evolving sense of self is beautiful precisely because it remains a journey, not a destination.
What is the “blue of distance” in your own life? How might embracing its mystery and allure deepen your appreciation for the beauty of the here and now?
