Environment Is Everything: Building a Space That Inspires and Uplifts
Whether you work from home or not, it's important to consider building a space for you to flourish. Here are some tips on how to optimize your own environment so you can be inspired.
When I first transitioned from working a 9-5 in the office to running my business from home, the shift was extreme. It’s not like I hadn’t been warned either. I had heard everything from how hard it was to work from home to how some people succumbed to alcoholism because of the lack of structure.
That’s when I really started to consider how important physical space is. Our environment has the ability to build us up or to create a mountain of resistance. The bad news is that our environment can creep up on us and leave us unsuspecting of its negative effects, but, the good news is that even small changes can transform our space and us along with it.
Changing an environment for the better starts with awareness
Does everything have to start with introspection? I’ve found the answer to that to be an exhausting but resounding ‘yes, yes it does.’ Environments are no different.
Spaces can feel nourishing or draining and the difference is entirely subjective. I’ve found that when I’m paying attention, I can tell when an environment is unsuited for me because I start to feel drowsy.
Tapping into that self-awareness has helped me take my own energy intuition more seriously and actually do something about it much faster.
What has my mind associated with this space?
It turned out that my main issue with working from home was that my mind had associated home with comfort and relaxation. Oh, and all my vices were just a few feet away (I’m looking at you TV, wine and backyard patio set).
Home just wasn’t categorized with work, and my mind insisted it wasn’t going to budge. So we negotiated.
We dedicated set parameters for work (time and a specific room). We decided on some rules (restricting the number of trips to the fridge but having free reign on tea consumption). We designed the space to feel like an office by adding helpful things, and taking away distractions.
In sight, in mind
Psychology tells us that if we can make something even just a little bit harder (like taking the batteries out of a remote, for example), we become far less likely to follow through (in this case, watching TV).
Naturally, I’ve found that the opposite is true, too.
Back when I moved into my first home, my intention was that it was the beginning of a brand new chapter of growth. So, when I decorated, I let that intention come through in everything I chose as well as everything I didn’t choose.
I made a mental list of everything the best version of me would do: I would read more, I would be disciplined in my work ethic, I would work out every day, I would have a morning ritual.
So, I added two shelves of books in my living room, started a tally on my calendar to track my workouts, kept my journal and tea within arm’s reach of where I would start my morning routine and wrote affirmations in places I would see often.
Every one of these things became conscious and subconscious reminders of who I wanted to be, and by integrating them into my everyday environment, the space began to serve me.
Ambiance? Or strategic design?
As a Muralist by profession, I think a lot about how to make
spaces better. And what I’ve discovered is that sometimes the biggest
transformations can happen through small, practical changes.
When designing my own spaces, I thought long and hard about what areas of my home would be ‘productive’ spaces and which would be ‘relaxing.’ In the productive spaces I installed white lights, a quick and easy change of light bulbs that drastically changed how energised I felt. In the relaxing spaces, I left the builder installed lights- standard bulbs with a yellow-ish hue that were easy on the eyes.
Another way I drastically changed my environment was by leveraging a bit of colour psychology- something I picked up when I started to merge my educational background with my chosen business as an artist.
Our energy is affected by what we see. Certain colours set the tone for how we feel in an environment, that’s why businesses think so hard about them. And in my opinion, we all should.
Personally, I’ve integrated a lot of yellows and blues into my home and work spaces. These colors are also among my go-to's for my public murals for some of the same reasons:
Yellow signals energy, attention and happiness to our brains. We are drawn to it. Blue is calm and soothing. So, it makes for a beautiful residential addition- whether it’s as an accent wall or scattered through decorations.
Questions to consciously build a better space
Overall, I’ve found that a shift in environment can positively affect the mind, body and spirit. We put time into carefully considering our health, our careers, our finances- why not put some time into the spaces we spend the most time in?
So, I leave you with a few questions to get you started on your journey to create an environment that inspires and uplifts:
- What is the purpose of this space? (Is it for work? For play?)
- How do you want to show up to this space? (Imagine you are your best self. What are you doing? How are you interacting with your space?)
- What things can you replace that will remind you of who you want to be? (Time to swap out the TV for a library? The alcohol pantry with a smoothie bar?)
- What brings you joy? (Plants? Specific colours? Little artworks that have motivating quotes?)
Start with these. You might just find that sometimes change can start from the outside in.
- Jasmin Pannu
I think it's important to share our stories. It's how we can grow and help others. That's why I write about all of my lessons learnt and yet-to-be learned here.
More inspiring articles:
- Why I Make Every Big Life Decision Without Telling Family or Friends
- When ‘Fake It Till You Make It’ Works…and When It Doesn’t
- Why Is Ghosting Happening To You And What You Can Do To Avoid It
- 5 Brain Hacks to Build Back Confidence If People Haven’t Been Treating You Well
- How To Tell if Your Expectations Are Too High For a Relationship
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.