As art consumers, our interactions with artworks can result in aesthetic pleasure.

Instinctively, we reach out for attractive things; beauty literally moves us.

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Aesthetic experiences can arise from the appreciation of human artifacts, such as artworks (e.g., music, poetry, sculpture, visual arts, nature, and the built environment). In the presence of beautiful things, we feel a broad range of emotions, such as fascination, awe, wonder, and admiration. The quality of life is affected by the quality of the aesthetic experience we gain in our daily life (Cahn, 2020).

Our daily routines (cleaning, living, social interactions, going to work, doing errands, or just sitting quietly) are not normally appreciated because they lack the novelty of the special events. But they are immensely important for our happiness. Through repeated practice, we can cultivate an aesthetic sensibility regarding everyday objects and activities. Artful living means taking a genuine interest in all details of daily life.

Here are various concepts to explore to enrich our aesthetic appreciation of our everyday routines (Saito, 2017).

1. Beauty for beauty’s sake

Aesthetic pleasures are typically pursued and enjoyed for their own sake. The focus is on the pleasure that arises from the act of doing something rather than........

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