Why I Collect Places: A Human-Centered Guidebook to Better Wellbeing
There’s a certain kind of magic in finding a place that feels just right. A small bookstore where the owner remembers your name. A café where the coffee is secondary to the conversation. A public park that holds space for quiet moments.
I’ve always been drawn to places like these—the ones that anchor us, remind us of who we are, and offer ways back to ourselves, and each other. It’s why I started Our Guide to Life, a collection of human-centered spaces that nurture our wellbeing in ways that often go overlooked as we rush through our days.
Wellbeing Beyond the Expected
When we talk about wellbeing, the conversation so often stops at wellness trends—meditation apps, self-care routines, morning rituals. And while all of that has its place, what if wellbeing was also connected to where we live, how we shape our worlds, and how we create space for each other.
That’s what I’ve been exploring. Beyond the polished wellness industry, there are places—hidden, local, ordinary—that hold a different kind of support.
The museum that allows your mind to soar and your imagination to expand.
The coworking space that brings people into your days, and not just more ways to be productive.
The bakery that somehow soothes you, even if croissants are a far cry from green juice.
These places aren’t selling a version of self-improvement. They’re simply there, existing in a way that makes life a little softer, a little easier, and sometimes even a little more magical.
Why Now?
We’re living in an era of increasing isolation. Studies show that loneliness is as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. At the same time, the places that have historically brought us together—independent cafes, bookshops, music venues—are struggling to survive.
The irony is, we need them more than ever. We need places where we can show up as humans. Places where we don’t have to earn our belonging, where connection isn’t transactional, and where simply being present is enough.
This is why I collect places—not just for myself, but for anyone who might be looking for a way to feel at home in the world again.
A Guidebook for Everyday Wellbeing
Our Guide to Life is an evolving collection of the places that matter—places that meet you wherever you are and offer something real. It’s a growing map of
Independent and unexpected spaces—community gardens, unusual storefronts, gathering places.
Places that hold stories—libraries, bookshops, cultural hubs.
Third places that aren’t home or work—cafés, coworking spots, creative studios.
Spaces that make room for joy—live music venues, art workshops, immersive experiences.
Some of these places will be in your own backyard. Some might be places you’ve never thought to look. But they all share one thing in common: they make life into something to explore, making us more connected and more human.
A Collective Exploration
But this isn’t just my guidebook—it’s ours.
The places that matter most to you might be different from mine. Maybe it’s the beach at sunset where you exhale fully for the first time in days. Or the record shop where you’ve had the best conversations with strangers.
We all have places that ground us, restore us, and remind us that we belong. And when we share them, we make it easier for others to find their own.
So, tell me—where’s your place? The one that holds you when you need it most? The one that brings you back to yourself? Your happy place? Your calm place?
Let’s build this guide together. Because the right place, at the right moment, can change everything.
P.S. If you run a place that you think would fit in our Guidebook reach out to us. We’ll send you details to apply.
