learning to love my environment again
and it wasn't exactly through therapy, although that help(ed).
More than ever in society, mental health has not been more talked about. Whether it’s in person, over the phone, on an app, or splattered on headlines during your afternoon news, mental health now has a dominance that is hard to shake. Some of my strongest friends and I even employ text reminders to keep one another in check (highly recommended, btw).
After years of unease and resistance, I found myself at a crossroads with it. I went through two years of therapy that encouraged me to commit to and do the “work” - the much-needed shadow and inner aspects of it are still something I struggle with. But with each waking day, it gets a little easier. The tension, like a tight muscle knot, eventually dissolves allowing for renewed circulation of energy and healing.
But why stop at therapy? I recently watched a Netflix documentary on the cultivation and importance of Blue Zones. It blew my mind wide open. Blue zones are generally hot spots where you’d find an above-average amount of centennials - elderly who live to be well above 100. There are many nuggets of wisdom that any viewer could derive from the documentary’s extensive and empirical research - but the one thing that stood out to me was feeling at home and at peace in your environment.
One of the unique things that I discovered upon finding my artistic calling in fine art photography is how beneficial it was to simply print and hang up artwork that would eventually work its way into a future or potential collection. I hang them in small corners, around the entryway, above media consoles, or in a sitting area. Or as a focal point in the living room right above the fireplace. I try to visualize what my pieces would look like in your own homes.
As both an artist and collector, I consider myself the best customer to experiment with. And the results have been profound. I find myself more energized and gratified knowing that a beloved piece of fine art photography is always there to inspire me to look deeper and beyond. Even the smallest pieces, as an accent, make a world of difference.
Research has proven time and time again that our bodies and minds crave art for visual stimulation and by extension their therapeutic benefits as well. Having a well-adorned corner or space in your home can be instantly uplifting because it’s a marker of personal space and sanctuary. It not only makes our spaces look aesthetic, but art in any shape or form can reveal an inner language that only we can understand.
That said, I have some homework for you. I want you in the coming weeks to find a sacred space in your home, apartment, loft, or even outdoor garden and just put up a piece of art you love. Whether it’s something you’ve personally made, inherited from family, or recently collected or thrifted, I want you to hang it up. Then let me know how you feel afterward.
Alright, my coffee break is over. Until next.
Sending love and light,
Tommy