When it came time to plan our editorial content for this issue, I initially thought of my experience with the five senses and how I interact with my surroundings in a sensory way every day. And I realized that I pretty routinely engage all five of my senses just during the hours I’m at work: I always have my iPod on (much to the chagrin of my coworkers who are trying to tell me the phone’s ringing or ask me an important question about the issue), I constantly stare out of the window at the treetops (our office once was an attic and is right at eye level with the bright green leaves), I rub my hands with rosemary lotion at least twice a day (the smell is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up), and I make daily trips to City Bakery around the corner for the best tasting chocolate cookies around as well as to Greenlife to pick up everything from produce to ice-cold frozen treats, trying to decide on the night’s dinner.
In fact, I interact with the five senses in my own way so often that I hardly ever notice how those around me engage with the senses in their daily routines. So, hoping to learn more about those around me and to conduct a “scientific” experiment to see if one of the senses gets more attention than the others, I turned to my coworkers and headed to our favorite workweek haunts to ask the willing:

“What’s your favorite sense, and how do you nourish it throughout the day?”

Abby U: My favorite sense is taste. I nourish it throughout the day by eating foods that I love. I always enjoy my day so much more if I start it off with an egg sandwich and a cup of coffee—two of my favorite tastes.

Valli S: Taste. I work in a grocery store, so I’m always eating!

Bryan H: Sound…music! I can’t imagine me without music.

Nathan J: As a graphic designer and artist, I’ve more or less dedicated my life to making things that I believe are visually pleasing, and therefore I’m forced to say sight is my favorite sense. I’ve always been fascinated by the way things look. But, recently I’ve been experimenting with sculpting, which is very tactile; therefore, touch is something that interests me as well. I suppose the intangible nature of work created on a computer has left me with a bit of a void to fill!

Scot V: Can I say common sense? It’s the forgotten sense! Of the five, I would have to say mine would be sight, and I nourish it by paying attention to the small details in life.

Amber M: Sight is my favorite. I indulge sight by taking many walks and taking in everything around me, because it’s all beautiful!

Dylan W: My favorite sense is sight, because I get to look at the beautiful mountains of WNC and my beautiful wife every day!

Stacey G: Since moving to the mountains from Michigan, my eyesight has become my favorite sense. I’m in awe of the amazing scenery, colorful landscapes, and splendid sunsets all around me. This area is a treasure for the eyes.

Chad U: Sound. I nourish this sense by wearing my iPod every morning when I’m walking to work.
[Note to Chad: Your lovely wife, Abby (NLJ’s office manager), wished you would have copied Dylan on this one!]

Weigh In
What’s your favorite sense, and how do you nourish it during the day? Share with us your secrets for getting a sense of your surroundings.
Email submissions@newlifejournal.com.

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