How living in walkable spaces shaped my wellbeing more than I realized
When I think back on the times in my life when I felt the most connected, focused, and genuinely happy, one period always stands out: my years at Grand Valley State University.
Back then, I didn’t analyze why things felt so balanced — I just knew that campus life worked for me. But looking back, I realize something important:
➡️ Walkability and access to public transportation played a bigger role in my wellbeing than I ever understood.
Being able to walk to class, meet people along the way, take a bus across campus or into town — it made everyday life feel more fluid, social, and grounded. There was a sense of community built into the environment itself.
Now, after living in places with very different transportation systems, I’m noticing how strongly our surroundings shape the way we feel and function.
As someone working in UX and design, this connection makes even more sense:
The environments we build directly impact the experiences we have.
I’m starting a small series reflecting on how different cities I’ve lived in — and different transportation systems — have shaped my perspective on design, community, and wellbeing.
