Vastu, also known as Vastu Shastra, is a traditional Indian system of architecture and design that seeks to align buildings and structures with the natural forces of the universe. It is believed that by adhering to Vastu principles, one can create a harmonious living space that promotes health, wealth, and happiness. The importance of Vastu in interior design lies in its ability to create a balance between the natural elements and the built environment. According to Vastu, each direction is associated with a particular element and energy. It is important to align the various elements of a building or structure with these energies to create a harmonious living space. One of the key principles of Vastu is the concept of "purushartha," which refers to the four goals of human life: dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). Vastu seeks to align the design of a space with these goals, ensuring that the space promotes the well-being of its inhabitan...
Why do we crave bookshops when life falls apart? A deep reading of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
This article reflects on Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum, a gentle novel about burnout, healing, and second chances. Through Yeong-ju and her quiet community, the book reminds you that meaning often returns slowly, through books, people, and ordinary days that begin to feel like home again. Why do so many of us secretly dream of walking away from everything? At some point, usually on a crowded weekday morning or during yet another meeting that could have been an email, you wonder if this is all there is. You did what you were told. You studied, worked hard, built a career, stayed responsible. And yet, instead of contentment, there is exhaustion. Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop begins exactly at this uncomfortable truth. Hwang Bo-reum’s novel does not shout its intentions. It does not promise transformation through grand revelations. Instead, it sits beside you quietly and asks a gentler question. What if the problem is not that you failed, but that you nev...