The Importance of Environment for Well-Being: Choosing Spaces That Uplift and Heal

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. This quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti feels like a wake-up call—a reminder of just how much our surroundings shape our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In a world that often puts profit over people and convenience over connection, it’s hard not to feel like forcing ourselves to adapt to environments that don’t support us is a kind of betrayal—of wisdom, of intuition, of ourselves. Maybe the real issue isn’t that we’re failing to adapt, but that the environments we’re being asked to adapt to are just plain unwell.

Our Surroundings Are Sacred

Our environment shapes us in ways we can’t always see but definitely feel. From the air we breathe to the spaces we spend time in, our surroundings influence everything. When we’re in places that drain us, being told we should just adapt feels wrong—almost like a distortion of spiritual truths. It can feel like spiritual malpractice: being told we’re supposed to transcend our environment, be more evolved, or act like our surroundings don’t matter if we’re truly spiritual. But what if our hearts are asking us to pay attention, to remember what it means to truly live? What if our souls aren’t asking us to rise above our surroundings but to honour them? Not to just get by but to actually thrive?

Creating spaces that nourish us isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic need. Places filled with beauty, simplicity, and a connection to nature’s rhythms can heal us in ways we sometimes forget are possible. Honouring this truth means saying no to what depletes us and yes to what fills us up. It’s an act of self-respect and wisdom to choose environments that align with who we are and what we value.

My soon-to-be home: A retreat and workshop centre nestled in the forest, shared with fairies and friends, part of an intentional community.

Living Biologically: Returning to Our Roots

As humans, we’re wired for things that often feel out of reach these days: the calming presence of nature, real relationships, moments of stillness, and freedom from the relentless buzz of modern life—screens, EMFs, the never-ending to-do list. These aren’t luxuries; they’re needs. But somehow, they’ve been pushed to the background in the name of progress.

Living biologically is about coming back to basics. It’s about syncing up with nature, making space for fresh air, sunlight, nourishing food, and genuine connection. It’s about recognizing that the frantic pace of modern life isn’t what we’re built for. We’re built for simplicity, for beauty, for harmony with the natural world. And that’s where we thrive.

The System Is Broken, Not You

It’s so easy to be hard on ourselves. We wonder why we’re tired all the time, why we feel disconnected, why it’s so hard to keep up. But here’s the thing: it’s not us that are broken—it’s the system. And the system has a lot to gain from convincing us otherwise.

Think about it: a person who feels broken is more likely to buy into the endless cycle of consumption and self-improvement. But when we step back, it becomes so clear. We’re not supposed to adapt to unhealthy lifestyles; we’re supposed to reject them. Saying no to the rat race, to draining environments, and to harmful habits isn’t failure. It’s wisdom. And saying yes to beauty, ease, simplicity, and health isn’t indulgence. It’s necessary.

The Courage to Say Yes and No

Living well takes courage. It takes guts to say yes to what lifts us up and no to what pulls us down. It means stepping away from the noise and choosing what makes us feel alive and at ease. This isn’t about running away from reality. It’s about creating a better one.

When we honour our need for nature, community, creativity, and peace, we reclaim something powerful. We remind ourselves that we’re not broken. We don’t have to apologize for wanting environments that allow us to flourish.

May we all find the strength to create spaces that nurture us, and may we have the courage to live in alignment with what truly matters.