In a garden, a park, or a forest, it's a pleasure to look around. Whatever form nature takes, it's always beautiful. Or at least fascinating.
It's different with environments built by people. A cityscape can sometimes be charming, but far more often it's bleak.
Gray buildings. A cacophony of signs. Conflict in everything from the details to the architectural styles.
The ugliness of the world affects you whether you like it or not.
"When Beauty was denied there was depression," said architect and design theorist Christopher Alexander.
By the way, people living in cities are about 30% more likely to suffer from depression than those living in rural areas. And antidepressant prescription rates are inversely proportional to the amount of greenery around where people live.
Of course. Human beings and their environment are connected like communicating vessels. Or, even more precisely, like a crystal and a supersaturated salt solution in a flask.
So when a wave of gloom hits you outside, there's a simple way out:
Look up. Be still. Really look.
A clear sky, fluffy clouds, or gathering storm clouds are always marvelous. The elements are different today than they were yesterday. In fact, they change every moment.
You only need to hold back your skeptical mind: "Yeah, what's there that I haven't seen already?" Devaluing and desecrating the world is easy. Sanctifying it... that's the hard part.
A general rule: when the horizontal weighs you down, the vertical will save you.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
Stuck? Your business grows when you do. I’m your business therapist to guide your shift. See testimonials here. Ready? Book your Catalyst session.