I wish the black and white thinking of the internet didn’t spill over into life because it’s difficult to love beautiful things without hearing the judgement that it’s frivolous or self indulgent.
I too believe that beauty or however we choose to define beauty is what makes this life, a life worth living.
Nothing makes me feel more alive than having a morning cup of tea in my mug, chips and all. Or painting the walls in my rental something other than white. Devoting the time to make playlists for every possible mood.
And you’re right, an aesthetic life has only made me appreciate every movement, every note of a song or a scent, every ingredient, color, material and so on.
I will add these books to my reading list, thank you for the suggestions
I feel so seen by this. No one in my life really understands why I yearn for aestheticism, and why it's what keeps me afloat in the madness. It's a haven I can return to and something that I often use to cleanse my mind. You put these feelings into words so beautifully!
this means so much to me. aestheticism has always been a kind of anchor and a place to return to when everything else feels too sharp or too fast. i’m really glad it found you, too.
"when i say beauty, i do not mean luxury. i do not mean perfection. i mean the texture of existence. a chipped plate you can’t throw away. a song you play over and over, even if it makes you cry”
You did such a good job of describing what it is like to be aesthetically oriented. And so happy to see one of the Santa Maria Novella scents featured. Chinquanta is my personal favorite!
Are you neurodivergent by the way? Your "quirks" perfectly describe sensory issues commonly associated with neurodivergence (spoken as someone who is autistic & ADHD).
Caitlyn thank you so much. I feel seen by this. I think the yearn for aesthetics for me is about having more of life ; food in a clay bowl, bedroom full of plants, sex with a curated playlist for the occasion.This article probably changed me, even if just a bit.
Caitlyn thank you so much. I feel seen by this. I think the yearn for aesthetics for me is about having more of life ; food in a clay bowl, bedroom full of plants, sex with a curated playlist for the occasion.This article probably changed me, even if just a bit.
I’ve always judged myself a little for feeling this way so thank you for allowing me to reframe it. The night before last I saw Sarah Snook perform all 26 roles in the Picture of Dorian Gray and it was insane — truly the best play I’ve ever seen. Please see it if you can in the next couple weeks!
But your article, and quotes like this are helping me find the space I need to enjoy this expressive aesthetic side of my soul without guilt
“for wilde, beauty was not a luxury. it was a language and a way of saying, i am still here. i still feel. i still care about how the world looks and sounds and smells and sings. that, to me, is not shallow. it is a rare and necessary kind of courage.”
The philosophy of beauty and aesthetics is something I think about often because it always seemed important and significant to me that it has such an impact on how I experience life. This is one of the most deep and resonating pieces I’ve read in a long while, and I’ve thought about it all day… thank you! And I’d also like to recommend Cire Trudon since you love scents… they have exquisite candles that make me feel like part of a story when I light one.
beautifully said. aestheticism as a quiet act of resistance reminds me of camus: "the only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." <3
As a fellow aesthete, this piece spoke to me.
I wish the black and white thinking of the internet didn’t spill over into life because it’s difficult to love beautiful things without hearing the judgement that it’s frivolous or self indulgent.
I too believe that beauty or however we choose to define beauty is what makes this life, a life worth living.
Nothing makes me feel more alive than having a morning cup of tea in my mug, chips and all. Or painting the walls in my rental something other than white. Devoting the time to make playlists for every possible mood.
And you’re right, an aesthetic life has only made me appreciate every movement, every note of a song or a scent, every ingredient, color, material and so on.
I will add these books to my reading list, thank you for the suggestions
yes! the way aesthetic attention gets flattened into performance or excess when it’s really just devotion. thank you for sharing your thoughts
I feel so seen by this. No one in my life really understands why I yearn for aestheticism, and why it's what keeps me afloat in the madness. It's a haven I can return to and something that I often use to cleanse my mind. You put these feelings into words so beautifully!
this means so much to me. aestheticism has always been a kind of anchor and a place to return to when everything else feels too sharp or too fast. i’m really glad it found you, too.
So lovely… this line in particular:
"when i say beauty, i do not mean luxury. i do not mean perfection. i mean the texture of existence. a chipped plate you can’t throw away. a song you play over and over, even if it makes you cry”
You did such a good job of describing what it is like to be aesthetically oriented. And so happy to see one of the Santa Maria Novella scents featured. Chinquanta is my personal favorite!
There is a great new version of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" on Broadway. Loved it and highly recommend.
Are you neurodivergent by the way? Your "quirks" perfectly describe sensory issues commonly associated with neurodivergence (spoken as someone who is autistic & ADHD).
Thank you, this puts into words something I've been feeling and mulling over for a long time but couldn't express ❤️
Caitlyn thank you so much. I feel seen by this. I think the yearn for aesthetics for me is about having more of life ; food in a clay bowl, bedroom full of plants, sex with a curated playlist for the occasion.This article probably changed me, even if just a bit.
Caitlyn thank you so much. I feel seen by this. I think the yearn for aesthetics for me is about having more of life ; food in a clay bowl, bedroom full of plants, sex with a curated playlist for the occasion.This article probably changed me, even if just a bit.
I’ve always judged myself a little for feeling this way so thank you for allowing me to reframe it. The night before last I saw Sarah Snook perform all 26 roles in the Picture of Dorian Gray and it was insane — truly the best play I’ve ever seen. Please see it if you can in the next couple weeks!
I love aesthetics and I’m drawn to them always, I have the same experience as you - “feeling devastated by bad design” haha
But for some reason I also carry some sort of guilt around this. Like it’s too frivolous, even though it brings me so much joy and total peace.
I also cringe when I see people trying to attain a certain aesthetic at the cost of the planet or people, but I know you’re not referring to this.
But your article, and quotes like this are helping me find the space I need to enjoy this expressive aesthetic side of my soul without guilt
“for wilde, beauty was not a luxury. it was a language and a way of saying, i am still here. i still feel. i still care about how the world looks and sounds and smells and sings. that, to me, is not shallow. it is a rare and necessary kind of courage.”
The philosophy of beauty and aesthetics is something I think about often because it always seemed important and significant to me that it has such an impact on how I experience life. This is one of the most deep and resonating pieces I’ve read in a long while, and I’ve thought about it all day… thank you! And I’d also like to recommend Cire Trudon since you love scents… they have exquisite candles that make me feel like part of a story when I light one.
beautifully said. aestheticism as a quiet act of resistance reminds me of camus: "the only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." <3
"beauty is not a distraction from meaning, it IS meaning" - I love this!!
Thank you for the recommendations
Wow. This one really broke me open. I lingered over many sentences.
My battered copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray is calling out to be reread!