Backstreet Alchemy: Istanbul Breezes — Finding Treasure in the Everyday　80

80. Sea Breeze and Grilled Fish: Reclaiming the Master of One's Soul

At the foot of the Galata Bridge in Istanbul, the sound of fatty mackerel sizzling on a griddle mingles with the crashing waves. Drifting on the sea breeze is the savory aroma of soy sauce, lemon, and charred charcoal.

As I turn my eyes away from the "efficient schedules" and "glamorous lives of others" reflected on my smartphone screen, the instant this powerful scent pierces my nostrils, my fingers stop, and my heart is filled.

"I’m hungry."

That primal stimulus pulled me back to the "here and now," along with these words I once heard:

Turning the Everyday into Gold

We open our smartphones to make life convenient, fill our planners to manage time, and gaze at social media to deepen connections. Yet, somewhere along the way, we find ourselves shaving off our own time and hearts just to maintain the tools—telling ourselves, "I must reply," "I must record," "I must be efficient."

We think we are mastering the "tools" of convenience, but instead, we find ourselves running on tracks laid down by the tools themselves.

When you bite into a freshly grilled Balık Ekmek (fish sandwich), no digital metrics or external evaluations exist. There is only the heat of the grilled fish, the crunch of the bread, and the saltiness of the sea breeze.

Sometimes, put your tools deep into your pocket. Surrendering yourself to the "living scents" that leap into your senses is a small yet luxurious ritual—a way for you to step away from being a "tool of your tools" and return once more as the "master" of your own life.