Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but it is a truth rarely universal acknowledged that we are constantly, always, looking to behold beauty, for it is that which our minds find individually joyful, that we experience as most soothing.
Whether it be looking upon the gifts nature bestows upon us, glancing at our reflection in the mirror or relaxing in a room that makes our heart feel giddy, we are simply happier when that which our eye comes to rest upon is something we consider aesthetically pleasing.
Part of The BrocanteHome Way
Sanctuary. Ritual. Beauty. Becoming. Read more about me and BrocanteHome here.
But hells bells beauty gets a bad rap! Its pursuit declared both vain and vacuous and its appreciation considered peripheral to more intellectual interests,
And to that I say balderdash! Which is why one of the rather bossy missives on the original BrocanteHome Manifesto says “make everything around you as beautiful as can be“.
Let’s begin then by considering why beauty matters, and more so why it has always mattered. For though it may be so that we now live in a world where beauty extremes are both simultaneously celebrated and derided, if we can come to an understanding of what constitutes beauty to us, we can gently allow that definition to shape each and every aspect of our lives and allow it inform so many of our choices.
Why then DOES it matter?
Simple Aesthetic Pleasure: . Aesthetic pleasure is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, contributing to our overall well-being and the majority of us enjoy experiencing the awe and wonder gazing upon something we consider beautiful, inspires in us.
Cultural and Historical Significance: Throughout history, beauty has been associated with ideals, values, and societal norms, and in many cultured beauty standards are deeply ingrained and have influenced art, literature, and religious belief.
Emotional Connection: Beauty creates a sense of connection and inspiration. For isn’t it true that we often feel emotionally moved by beautiful works of art, music, or literature? Thus it could be said that beauty serves as a source of motivation, fostering creativity and innovation.
Psychological Impact: The perception and pursuit of beauty has deep psychological effects: boosting self-esteem and confidence, improving mood, and reducing stress, while contributing to our sense of wellbeing and reassuring us that all is as it should be (as opposed to chaotic or ugly).
Social Influence: Beauty impacts social interactions and relationships. Studies have shown that attractive people often receive preferential treatment, affecting their personal and professional lives as a result of a phenomenon known as the “halo effect,” – highlighting the social importance of beauty in society today and challenging us to create our own version of beautiful along the way.
Evolutionary Perspective: Some argue that our appreciation for beauty has evolutionary roots, and that we seek attractive traits in potential mates, for example because they signal good health and genetic fitness which over time influenced our innate sense of what constitutes physical and emotional beauty.
Artistic Expression: Beauty is a central concept in the arts and artists use it to provoke thought, challenge norms, and convey powerful messages.
Cultural Identity: Finally, beauty can be tied to cultural identity and heritage. Different cultures have unique beauty standards and traditions, which serve as a source of pride and identity and provide a sense of deeply inviting cohesion.
So we can see why beyond our own front door beauty is a concept central to so many aspects of our lives, but why does it have meaning within our own four walls and why do I consider it so important that I have included it in the BrocanteHome Manifesto?
Because in beauty there is calm.
And calm is central to clarity of thought and our ability to create and commit to the routine and ritual we depend on to live lives less ordinary.
But isn’t there clarity of thought in the purely functional, I hear you say?
