Why Beauty Matters
When I say “beauty” I don’t really mean makeup or skincare, although those have a time and a place. What I’m really talking about is romanticizing our lives. Creating spaces that honor our hearts. And delighting in the small things. Beauty is anything that is pleasing to the senses, especially sight – no matter how big or small.
Beauty connects us to the world, boosts our mood, and helps us to ultimately feel better. Beauty grounds us in our bodies in the present moment. It is therapeutic and has the power to heal us. It’s not frivolous – it’s essential to our human experience.
As I mentioned in my September reflections post, last month was rough. I learned that I have a tear in some hip cartilage that will keep me from running a marathon in December. As someone who craves structure, loves training and is trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon, this wasn’t the news I wanted.
Rarely does life go according to plan and I’m trying my best to embrace my new reality. One in which I have lots of time to carve out new routines, move my body in different ways and discover new sides of myself beyond running. It’s been more difficult than anticipated, and so I find myself leaning into beauty as a means to cope with my emotions. I’ve decided to reframe this time of rest as an opportunity to create and appreciate beauty like I have never done before.
Creating beauty in my own home has given me an outlet to process my grief and frustration. I can’t control everything. But, I can ensure my space is a joy filled sanctuary. Enter my Harry Potter Halloween decor. Never ever did I think I’d hang floating candles from the ceiling, but here we are. This simple, magical touch creates both a literal and figurative lightness to our living room. It feels cozy, special and healing. Lighting them (with my wand of course) is a tiny delight that I look forward to every evening.
How to Experience Beauty Everyday
Experiencing beauty in our daily lives doesn’t have to be hard, expensive, designer or new. It’s about learning to see tiny wonders and finding more awe in the very ordinary.
- Notice how light travels through your home. How it changes from morning to evening.
- Enhance your morning routine by incorporating beauty into the mundane of starting your day – drink from a favorite mug, place a single flower on your sink, take your coffee outside and notice the trees moving in the breeze. Appreciating beauty before the chaos of the day begins will help you feel more grounded.
- Refresh your bed linens. Fall is a great time to lean into cozy textures and layers that are easy on the eyes and the skin.
- Create more ambient light in your home. Use more lamps, light candles, avoid harsh overhead lighting.
- Read a book designed to help you improve and keep it somewhere you see it often as a reminder of the hard work you are doing. I love “The Pivot Year” from Brianna Wiest.
- Get outside daily. Even for just ten minutes. Feel the air on your skin and get some sun on your face.
- Buy yourself flowers.
- Clear off the kitchen table so you have somewhere pleasant to eat.
- Look in the mirror and show yourself some grace and compassion. Experiencing beauty is heart work and it takes time to let it in.
Tell me! How are you creating and appreciating beauty this fall??