Shadows as Structure

The Geometry of Light

As the days shorten, the light in my studio has become a character in its own right. In the late afternoon, the sun hits the floor at such a sharp angle that the room is split into two worlds: the illuminated and the obscured.

I’ve noticed that my best thinking often happens in that pool of light. There is something about physical darkness at the periphery that helps contain a thought, preventing it from wandering into the distractions of the room. We think of lighting as a matter of comfort, but it is actually a matter of architecture—it builds the boundaries within which our minds feel safe enough to explore.

The Monroe Minute
Work today using only a single, focused source of light, such as a desk lamp. Notice how the surrounding shadows improve your concentration.

Until the next page,
Sloane S. Monroe

Sloane Shay Monroe

I don’t write to idealize love, but to explore it honestly, with emotional precision and depth.