A small town can feel boring until you notice everyone knows which dog belongs to which house.

Boredom is often just unfamiliarity with the detail. From a distance a small place looks like nothing is happening, and up close it is dense with knowledge, history and connections that nobody writes down. Knowing which dog belongs where is a form of care held by a whole street. Interesting has less to do with the place than with how closely you are looking.

Spend one afternoon this week treating where you live as somewhere you are visiting. Ask an older neighbour or relative what used to be where the shop is now. Follow up once, because you will not get that answer anywhere else.