Obscure Sorrow

This Christmas, while shopping for gifts for others, I decided to treat myself to something special—The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig. It felt like discovering a treasure map for emotions I’ve always felt but never had words for.

This book doesn’t just label those fleeting feelings; it invites you to immerse yourself in them, to explore their depths. Words like “sonder” (the realization that everyone around you has a story as vivid as your own) and “anemoia” (nostalgia for a time you’ve never lived) resonate deeply.

As I turned the pages, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. Each word seemed to tell its own story, and I found myself wanting to create flash fiction inspired by some of them—tiny tales that bring these emotions to life.

In May, I participated in several AWA workshops as part of their Writing Around the World monthly series. Each day of the month, AWA facilitators lead an AWA workshop. I attended ten of these sessions, including one with Kimberly Lee, a writer and AWA and SoulCollage facilitator, who led the workshop Strange Words--Writing with the Lost, Unusual & Untranslatable!

We crafted stories using lost, unusual, and untranslatable words, which thrilled me. I've always been fascinated by words, especially those that are forgotten, no longer in use, or those that appear in my dreams. Since then, I've been reading books about such words and dreaming of words and worlds that do not exist but might in another realm.

So, stay tuned. In the upcoming weeks, I'll be sharing stories inspired by the words in this book. Who knows? You might find your own emotions mirrored in these pieces of fiction. After all, the language of feeling connects us all.

—Annecy Báez

I am an educator, psychotherapist, mixed media collage artist, and the author of "My Daughter’s Eyes and Other Stories." As a facilitator for SoulCollage® and Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA), I integrate energy healing, dreamwork, and writing to promote growth and connection. My work with individuals and groups is focused on empowering people to embrace their unique stories and tap into the healing power of creativity and self-expression.