Unpacking ‘aesthetic sense’: What it is and how it can improve your life.
By Slavica Zlatar-Banika
Table of contents
→ What is an ‘aesthetic sense’?
→ “Aesthetics is crucial”.
→ “Without beauty, we fail.”
→ “Beauty will save the world.”
7 life-changing benefits.
1. Enhanced creativity.
2. Increased confidence.
3. Greater influence + inspiration.
4. Improved decision-making.
5. Well-being. Spirituality.
6. Simplify your life.
7. Enrich your legacy.
What is an ‘aesthetic sense’?
I recently took Dr. Jordan Peterson’s Big 5 personality test at understandmyself.com.
For those of you not familiar with the Big 5 test, the aspects rated are agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness (intellect and aesthetics) and neuroticism.
Most of my results were as expected. (Dis)agreeableness and mild neuroticism? Yikes. Not all perfection over here. But wait. I had a very high score in openness — especially the aesthetics aspect of it. Oh, I felt good. Vindicated. It all made sense now. But what did this mean exactly? According to the quiz: “…a person’s aesthetics score reflects their creativity. People who are high in aesthetics love beauty. They are sensitive to colour and architectural form. They like to collect things. They respond strongly to beauty, creativity and art.”
If you have a high aesthetics score — you naturally seek out beauty. You love and understand it. On the other hand, what if your score is lower? The good news — it can change over time. Your aesthetic sense can be nurtured and cultivated. But, why should you do this?
Dr. Jordan Peterson: “Aesthetics is crucial”.
Renowned psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson emphasizes the vital role of aesthetics in our lives. He passionately argues that beauty isn’t a luxury but a necessity — a powerful antidote to human suffering. It’s not a mere option but rather a crucial aspect of our well-being. After all, why else would people be so willing to invest in things of beauty, often at substantial costs? Dr. Peterson believes it’s because we are all inherently ‘starved for beauty’, seeking it out as an integral part of our human experience. Seeking out and appreciating beauty may be the secret to living a beautiful life.
Stefan Sagmeister: “Without beauty, we fail.”
Photo used with permission from Stefan Sagmeister November 2023
In the realm of design, renowned graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister eloquently captures a universal truth. His words resonate deeply, highlighting the profound connection between humans and the emotional impact of design. In this insightful quote, he urges us to embrace beauty as an integral part of our creative endeavours.
“Humans connect to the world through emotion. And design without beauty is void of emotion. We cannot resonate with it. We cannot exist happily in it. Without beauty, we fail. I think that a beautiful design is one that has been designed with love and care; somebody really thought about it and put a lot of themselves, a lot of love, put a lot of work into creating it. We will make beautiful things if we care about what we’re making. Go out and make beauty part of your overall goals.” — Sagmeister
Dostoevsky: “Beauty will save the world.”
As Sagmeister urges us to infuse our creations with love and care, Fyodor Dostoevsky reminds us that such intentionality isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about a transformative force that helps us navigate the complexities of our existence. Dostoevsky’s quote reflects on how aesthetic experiences can transform us spiritually and existentially rather than just giving us materialistic or hedonistic pleasure. Dostoevsky believed that true beauty, whether in art, nature, or human goodness, can inspire and elevate the human spirit. It can help us find meaning and purpose in life, connect us to higher ideals, and give us a sense of transcendence. Beauty is not just about superficial or materialistic pleasures. Instead, it represents a transformative force that can help humanity navigate the struggles and sufferings of existence.
Life-changing benefits of developing your aesthetic sense.
Neuroscientists agree that the effect of beauty on the brain adds to dopamine levels and a sense of well-being. Focusing on aesthetics will distract from the negative. Your mind will learn to seek out beauty and tune out the ‘noise’.
Even though aesthetic preference can be subjective, research in cognitive neuroscience suggests exposure to aesthetically pleasing stimuli can benefit mood and cognitive function. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of this phenomenon.
1. Enhanced creativity.
A refined aesthetic sense fosters creativity by influencing how we perceive and interact with the world. It helps generate innovative ideas and solutions that can be applied to various problems and aspects of life — not just the creative industry.
2. Increased confidence.
Being clear about our own aesthetic leads to increased confidence in personal and professional settings.
3. Greater influence + inspiration.
A well-developed aesthetic sense can inspire others and positively impact those around you. It can attract new people and experiences and improve our world. You can become a magnet.
4. Improved decision-making.
Improving your aesthetic sense helps you make smarter decisions in design and everyday life. This clear sense of style positively affects choices about your appearance, home, experiences, and overall decision-making. It can save you time and money.
5. Well-being. Spirituality.
Aesthetics evoke positive emotions. Immersing yourself in beauty — across all of life’s touchpoints — enhances your overall well-being. It cultivates a more positive mindset, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.
6. Simplify your life.
Refining your aesthetic sense leads to a clutter-free life. It allows you to filter out distractions and focus on the beauty that surrounds you, making your everyday experiences more serene and meaningful.
7. Enrich your legacy.
What we collect in our lifetime can become a legacy passed to the next generation. This encompasses not only physical items but also the experiences we accumulate.