One’s aesthetic is highly instinctive. Usually you see something and instantly know you like it. In my opinion there is a deeper psychology behind it. Your aesthetic preference is formed long before you consciously recognize it. It is influenced by the smell of certain fabric, the paint on the walls of your childhood room or furniture in your grandmother’s house. These things leave imprints and traces that later influence your taste in things you like. Aesthetic preferences are a self expression of who you are as a person. A lot of people might think one’s aesthetic is linked to the visual identity of things, however, in my opinion it is more to do with a sense of emotional familiarity. People are often drawn to what feels comforting and homely to them. Whether that is a certain pattern that makes them feel nostalgic or an emotional connection to an object.Â
However, there is more to forming a personal aesthetic, it does not exist in isolation. It is deeply influenced by what people consume in terms of books they read, cinema they watch, influencers they follow on social media or the songs they listen to on loop. It is interesting to see how someone’s external influence merges with their emotions and creates a cultural and personal outcome. It takes awareness, not categorization, to understand why we select particular aesthetics. We start to comprehend how we navigate emotion and space when we recognize what appeals to us.
No matter what the internet feeds to us, aesthetics is not just about decoration, but rather a connection to one’s identity, feeling and memory. The reason why humans pay attention to detail or curate their personal space to their liking, is because the human brain thrives on beauty. There is something about an aesthetically curated space that makes you feel at peace.Â
Let me paint a picture for you. A living room with antique furniture, yellow lamps brightening up an otherwise dim room, beautiful rug laid out, an old record player playing your favorite song not just makes the room look like it is out of architecture digest but also makes you feel a sense of comfort and warmth, and that is why aesthetics matter so much. It lowers the stress levels in our brain, and brings with it a sense of safety and order. Places that are organised, with minimised visual clutter, gives our brain breathing room to fully relax. Weather that is lighting up a scented candle or filling up your window sill with plants.Â
Why do people prefer going to aesthetic cafes, curating outfits, and taking pictures of perfectly plated food? Other than following trends or updating their instagram, it is also because of the dopamine hit it gives them. Aesthetics drive how you conduct yourself as well. For instance you are more likely to have deep intimate conversations with someone in a candle-lit restaurant. Compared to a bright, brunch cafe. The outfits you wear, the conversations you have, the company you hang out with are all dictated by aesthetics.Â
Having an aesthetic is not superficial. Being aesthetic is much deeper than social media would like you to think so. It goes beyond being superficial. Our aesthetics are a reflection of our identity, marking itself as one of the things that make us human.Â