We are always underestimating the importance of our surroundings. I’ve found that I have to constantly remind myself to give them the attention they deserve, or else I will neglect them and eventually be dragged down by the results of that neglect.

Most often when I have a sudden burst of concern for my environment, I indulge it by spending a few hours cleaning up. Today, instead, I got some advice on making my apartment look better.

Aesthetics are so underappreciated, at least these days. Partly, I think, it is because we believe that beauty is a luxury and prefer to put our time and resources into other things. I wish that we had a concept of practical aesthetics, because I’m convinced that being surrounded by beauty of any kind can drastically improve the other facets of our lives.