4: Environment

One of my favorite aspects of Human Design is the next piece I’ll cover: Environment.

Each of us has a type of environment that our body resonates with most deeply. By getting clear and intentional about our surroundings — whether it’s your city, community, home, or even your desk — we have the ability to experience more flow and inner peace.

• Shores

  Open spaces where two different landscapes come together.

• Mountains

  High-up places where you can get perspective, and see the full picture.

• Caves

  Cozy spaces of safety and security, where you can see who enters and exits.

• Valleys

  Acoustics play an important role, in order feel connected to and exchange information with others.

• Markets

  Spaces that are both comforting and stimulating with an eclectic, sensory mix of things you enjoy.

• Kitchens

  Central gathering spaces that allow for a special concoction of people, ideas, and cultures.

My Experience

I love this site by Vaness Henry which fuses Feng Shui with Human Design, and provides a much deeper look on these, along with tips and tricks.

I definitely resonate with what I’ve read about mine, Valleys.

Before moving to Portland, I traveled and checked out many different cities. I found that I was naturally drawn to places with easy-accessibility. I really benefit from a quick jaunt to a local coffee shop, a 5 minute drive to see a friend, and positioning myself anywhere buzzy (with the ability to retreat). San Francisco was good for this, too, being a small city at 7x7 miles. My home in Portland absolutely feels like a Valley town, and it’s made me feel so bright and happy!

The same goes for work. I can romanticize a WFH situation for a bit, but I’ve realized that the lack of “buzz” and social connection is absolutely missing for me.

I have loved to learn about friends’ Environments. People with Shores have expressed their need to be near bodies of water, or with freedom to roam; uneasy when landlocked. I also love to see a trend of people with Kitchens, thriving in large hubs like Los Angeles.

As always, each of us can thrive and succeed in multiple Environments: we’re never boxed in. Yes, I also love water and central gathering places. But it’s interesting to get curious about which factors of an place contribute to an extra level of vibrancy or comfortability for you.

I’ve gained empathy for people whose Environment might be opposite of mine. Everyone values different things about their home, and I love that this can shed light on deeper reasons for people’s preferences.

Next is your Cognition.