Jeni Champion has been a designer at ID Studios for over 2 years. She is kicking off our Designer Forum section with:
5 Reasons Why Living AND WORKING in San Diego Promotes Happiness
When I was growing up with my family north of Los Angeles, I spent a couple of summers visiting Pacific Beach and I remember thinking to myself, “I am moving here one day.” I have lived in San Diego for almost 10 years now and everyday I think to myself “I can’t believe I live here.” As humans, we typically take a vacation to relax, de-stress, have fun, try something new, escape the day-to-day grind, and be in a carefree state of happiness (for as long as our vacation time allows).
We’re lucky to live where people come to vacation. We’re livin’ the dream and here are my top 5 reasons why I love it!
1. Let’s be real, we have THE BEST WEATHER in the country
Summers in San Diego are amazing of course, but the locals know the best time of year is October-February. So spending a Sunday afternoon in November reading a book or doing some work on Mission Bay’s quiet sand is pretty much the equivalent to the desk in your office, just with a view and some tan lines.
2. We can wear flip-flops all year round (and a lot of us actually do)
I can bet that if we’re all being honest with ourselves, we don’t like shoes. We would let our sandy, ocean dipped toes free to breathe all year round if we could. The funny thing is the weather says we can, and sometimes a casual Friday at work in San Diego allows it too!
3. So many sunset views, so little time
From Sunset Cliffs, Crystal Pier, Coronado Bridge, to Fletcher cove, they’re just so pretty it hurts. Sometimes they’re so good social media is flooded by pictures of natives marveling at the beauty.
4. You can spend an entire weekend without your car
Whether you live in Encinitas, Downtown, Pacific Beach, or North Park you can park your car at home on Friday after work and not turn it on until Monday. These communities offer us everything we need with just a walk, a bike ride, or a short trolley or Coaster ride away. We look forward to those days with NO TRAFFIC, and quick accessibility to all of those things we need.
We don’t only crave this in our personal lives, but in our work lives too. As a designer of workspaces, this lifestyle provides insight into how we as humans function. Spaces that promote happiness and comfort also promote productivity and motivation. We’re designing spaces that people want to come to every day (even when the beach is calling).
5. Work –Life balance
Contrary to popular belief we don’t actually all surf to work. But we do work hard so we can play in our beautiful city. We spend so many hours of our lives at work, why not make workspaces a place we want to be and are excited and energetic to come to every day.
In order to live the laid back happy life of a San Diegan, it’s not just what we do on the weekends, it’s the lifestyle we live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
