Adapting to Your Environment
Humans have roamed this earth for hundreds and thousands of years, constantly adapting and changing to their environment for survival and convenience. In the Neolithic Era of our Homosapien history, humans stopped roaming and preferred to reside in just one place. They devised innovative ways to modify their environments for conveniences, such as agriculture, irrigation and building dwellings.
Fast forward to 2022, and you will find a society addicted to adaptation for convenience's sake. We have long solved the problem of getting fresh water to our village and can now instead get a cheeseburger and chips delivered to our door within ten minutes. Genius, right?
But let's talk about homes. Our homes are our immediate environment, the habitat of our families. It is the place we have effectively settled and return to at the end of each day—a place to feel safe and connected with our loved ones.
Our homes have adapted and changed dramatically over time. Let us reflect on some of the adaptions we have made in the last 60 years or so;
- Wireless internet connection
- Bedrooms for every occupant
- Private bathroom (ensuite), at minimum, for the main bedroom
- Two-living spaces
- Covered vehicle parking
- Study space or office
- Heating and cooling for year-round convenience
- Swimming pools
- Covered outdoor entertaining areas
- Extensive interior design
Quite the list, right?
And while homes have evolved to make our lives easier and more convenient, our primitive needs as human beings remain relatively the same. The needs of our children at different stages of their life vary greatly depending on their age. Babies and infants need our closeness to feel safe, while our teenagers start to make a break for independence.
But instead of adapting how we use our homes to serve our families best, we ask our families to adapt to suit our homes. So I ask you to be brave enough to use your home in a way that best serves your family's needs at the time. Our homes are a collection of spaces we can choose to use however we see fit.
Despite all their gorgeousness, babies are needy little buggers who need our constant care and attention. So although you may have a stunning, 'Home Beautiful' worthy main bedroom suite, its location in your home may be better suited when your kids are a little older.
Moving to the bedroom next to your baby may temporarily disrupt your vision of a perfectly interior-designed home, but it may allow your bubs to feel safe and create a quick and easy path for you to settle or feed when needed.
Perhaps Covid has changed your working arrangements, and you need a private office. Don't be afraid to bunk the kids in together to give you the space you need. Once upon a time, not so long ago, families all used to sleep in the same room! They will be fine; they might even love it.
I encourage you to use your spaces in the best arrangement for your most loved people. Can you think of a change to your home environment that might better serve you and your family?