There are places in the world that make you feel whole, grounded, and deeply nourished, and there are places that quietly take from you, chipping away at the equilibrium you’ve worked to cultivate. It can feel as though the culture of a place seeps through your skin, shaping your energy and attitude before you’ve even noticed.
I feel this acutely when I return to my hometown. Memories flood in, some welcome, some weighted, and the people I once knew seem to look for a version of me that no longer exists. Resistance rises, as if my past is tugging at an identity I’ve already shed. Yet this time, I find myself standing at a distance, observing with curiosity: can the rhythm, culture, and character of a place really permeate who we are?
Psychologists would say yes. Research on place attachment reveals that our environments are not neutral backdrops, but rather living contexts that shape our sense of belonging, identity, and well-being (Scannell & Gifford, 2010; Lewicka, 2011). When our needs align with a place—continuity, safety, beauty, social connection it can restore us. When they don’t, we may feel subtly diminished. This is not failure on our part; it is simply a misfit between who we are and what the place offers.
Science affirms what we often sense intuitively. Access to green and blue spaces—such as parks, forests, and coasts has been shown to lower the risk of depression, ease stress, and sharpen attention (Mechelli et al., 2024; Nature exposure and mental health, 2025). Even something as simple as hearing birdsong can lift mood. Proximity to heritage buildings and culturally rich environments has also been linked to higher life satisfaction (Historic England, 2023). These findings hint at something profound: wholeness is not only internal it’s relational, a dance between self and surroundings.
But what about the more intangible pull of place? Astrocartography, a branch of astrology, suggests that specific locations may amplify different aspects of our nature, including our vitality, creativity, and drive. While scientific evidence for planetary influence is lacking, many people find meaning in the idea that some places resonate energetically, while others seem to challenge them. Whether viewed symbolically or spiritually, it mirrors the truth psychology tells us: not every place will align with our growth, and sometimes the wisdom lies in recognising where we flourish and where we fracture.
So how do we notice whether a place is nourishing or depleting us? Our behaviours and attitudes hold clues. Do we find ourselves more open, creative, and social in one environment, and more withdrawn or irritable in another? Do our daily rhythms; sleep, energy, patience shift in ways that feel aligned, or do they feel constrained? Our adaptability can also reveal much: in some cultures, we easily soften to the pace, the food, and the rituals. In others, we feel like we’re swimming against the tide.
This is not about judgment, but about awareness. When we recognise the signals of wholeness or depletion, we give ourselves permission to choose environments that sustain us. Travel then becomes not just about movement, but about listening. Listening to how our body, mind, and spirit respond to a place.
Perhaps the invitation is not to belong everywhere, but to understand where belonging and wholeness, are most possible.
So I leave you with this reflection: what does your behaviour, your mood, your adaptability reveal about your relationship with the places you move through? Where do you feel expanded, and where do you feel diminished? And what might these signals teach you about the environments you need to thrive?
As we move through life, certain places lift us up, while others quietly drain us. Becoming aware of these dynamics—how a culture, environment, or community resonates with your energy can guide you toward wholeness. One way to explore this is through reflection, noticing your moods, rhythms, and responses to space and culture. Below, I’ve shared journaling prompts to help you tune in to where you truly thrive, and how to honour the environments that support you. Take a pen, a notebook, and yourself, and let the reflections unfold.
Journaling Prompts: Finding Your Place
Use these prompts to explore your own relationship with place, culture, and energy. Take your time, and let your answers emerge honestly and intuitively.
-
Where do I feel most alive and nourished?
Reflect on places you’ve visited or lived. What made you feel whole there—was it the people, the environment, the rhythm of life, or something else? -
Where do I feel drained or constricted?
Consider places where you’ve felt restless, anxious, or disconnected. What aspects of the culture, environment, or pace contributed to that? -
How does my body respond to different places?
Notice your energy, mood, sleep, and focus. Do specific environments support you physically and mentally, while others pull you down? -
How adaptable am I in new or challenging spaces?
Observe whether you can soften into a new culture or environment, or if you feel resistance. What does that reveal about your needs and boundaries? -
What signals of wholeness or depletion do I notice?
Journaling about these moments can help you recognise patterns: where you thrive, and where you need to step back. -
If I could choose a place that aligns with my energy, what would it look like?
You may wish to reflect symbolically (astrocartography, intuition, energy) or practically (climate, people, culture, lifestyle). -
How can I cultivate wholeness wherever I am?
Consider small practices—such as connecting with nature, finding rhythm, and seeking supportive communities—that help you feel nourished even when the place itself is challenging.
References
Scannell, L., Gifford, R., 2010, Defining place attachment: A tripartite organising framework, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(1)
Lewicka, M., 2011, Place attachment: How far have we come in the last 40 years?, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31(3)
Mechelli, A., et al., 2024, Urban Mind study: Green space and mental health, King’s College London
Nature exposure and mental health, 2025, Wikipedia entry
Historic England, 2023, Heritage and happiness report
Davidson, J., Milligan, C., 2004, Emotional geographies, Social & Cultural Geography, 5(4) People, 2024, How to Read an Astrocartography Chart
The Times, 2025, Would you let the stars dictate where you live?
