big light little light
I’m currently working on a theory that in every relationship there is a big light person and a little light person. And because I have my own tinyletter and my girlfriend doesn’t I’m here to you why the big light is best.
A new debate has been raging over my social media these last few days and I want to set the record straight cos I’ve been getting a lot of hassle over my big light stance. Look, I'm saying a big light is necessary ALL the time but I do think for certain jobs a little light just doesn’t cut it.
Let’s say I’ve come home, I've had a busy day at work but I need to cook dinner and do a wash. Am I going to put on a little puny desk lamp in this situation? Flick on my illuminated Himalayan salt lamp? Light some atmospheric candles? NO! I’m going to put the big light on so I can bloody well see what I’m chopping and afterwards I’m going to eat my dinner in the warm, omniscient glow of the big light. I don't want to hang my washing out in the dark.
The little light says to me: bedtime, your day is done, rest is soon to be at hand. Sure for reading in bed or late night study a little lamp is where it’s at. No one wants to cuddle up on the sofa and watch all of Dick Wolf’s new imaginatively titled police procedural, FBI, with the big light on. That I will grant you is wrong. I’m not say a trip to the cinema should happen under 40000 watts but I am saying there’s a time and a place for the big light and to deny this as fact is to deny my human right to see what I’m eating.
One friend (little light) told me her boyfriend requires a big light AND a lamp to study, and reader, I understand, I too have done this. When the light is bad and you are tired, doubling down on your luminosity can give you the focus you need. Another friend (big light) tells me that she has come to an agreement with her (little light) husband so that the big light remains on until she has finished eating after which they move to the little light. Another friend enthusiastically told me the big light was needed for her knitting, her girlfriend disagrees. One friend (little light) on finding out I am a big light person even expressed regret at inviting me to her wedding earlier this year. Truly this is a debate that is dividing friends and families.
Until I moved in with my girlfriend I didn’t even know I was a big light person. I simply turned the light on when I wished and switched over to the lamp whenever it felt right. Moving in with someone has been a series of adjustments both large and small, of discovering quirks I didn’t even know I had and of going round the flat after my girlfriend has left for work and turning off all the little lights she has left on, before I finally shut off the big light and leave. So dear reader, please let me know, are you a big light or a little light person?
FYI this is how i imagine all you little light people:
While I’ve got the big light on, a small announcement, I’m shifting the tiny narrative to a monthly schedule for the foreseeable future. As some of you know I’m currently working full time + doing an MA and soon my dissertation will be taking up my time *terrified sob* If anyone has submissions or work to share however do let me know as I’m always open to submissions on any narrative based topic under 1000 words. See you all again in December x x x
If you have a tiny narrative to share please get in touch at thetinynarrative@gmail.com
If you have a tiny narrative to share please get in touch at thetinynarrative@gmail.com