The Nurturing Home
Photo by JR Harris
By nora bouz - Well-being Building Designer
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
~ Maya Angelou
This heart-quenching quote by the brilliant poet and author Maya Angelou makes me contemplate what makes this ‘home’ which we call our own, where we take refuge and can be exactly how and who we are?
It is, without a doubt, a nurturing and loving home. And although beautiful, its aesthetics go beyond reflecting a particular design style or trend but rather reflect the authentic sense of beauty and style of those who live in it. Its design elements are mindfully curated to improve life, inspire, and support growth and flourishment; its every corner and every object are irresistible invitations to create, rejoice, rejuvenate, relax, and deeply connect within and without.
The human need for authentic expressions
Authenticity and uniqueness are essential ingredients for a nurturing environment. We need to express ourselves and tell our stories through our intimate environments. Making our home distinctively reflect our true sense of beauty and core values is crucial to strengthening feelings of belonging and inner connectedness, which are essential aspects of our well-being.
Photo by Taylor Simpson
Physical and psychological health
Every element and object that make our home impacts our physical and psychological health, from air quality and sleep to energy level, habits and movements. We know for a fact that nature is the source of our health and happiness, so for our home to be healthy and nurturing, we can integrate its elements and processes into our home. This will help us regulate our circadian rhythm, boost our energy, enhance our mood, and rejuvenate our bodies, minds, and souls.
Contemporary basic needs
In this day and age, our basic needs have broadened. We are beyond the need to sleep, cook, eat and entertain. Now we also need an environment that helps us be efficient, focused, and creative; where we can de-stress, recharge and have fun. As we are spending more time at home, we need a design that helps us maintain healthy habits, whether physical, mental or spiritual, strengthen family ties, improve intimacy, accommodate all members of blended families, and meet an ageing generation’s needs.
Photo by Manja Vitolic
It’s our human nature to seek ‘home’ and to belong. Home weaves the ingredients essential for our health and happiness; “it’s the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned” because it is the reflection of our innermost authenticity: our inner and outer worlds become coherent. It’s where we feel embraced, loved, supported, and ready to embark on a beautiful and purposeful life.
What would you do to start your transformation?
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