By Rachel Schemmerling- Timeless Living Designs
Twelve years ago, on January 27, 2013, I sat in a hospital bed surrounded by a group of Yale medical students. The Resident Physician looked at me and delivered the life-changing diagnosis: I had MS, or Multiple Sclerosis. For five days, they worked tirelessly to figure out why my entire body was numb and tingling, why my chest felt like it was being squeezed, and why I was so fatigued that I could barely finish a sentence without feeling the pull of sleep. When the moment came for my reaction, I smiled and asked, “Okay, so what do we do about it? How do we fix it?” They smiled meekly, unable to offer a definitive solution.
That moment marked the start of a journey I never asked to be on. But it was also the wake-up call I needed—a signal that my life needed an overhaul. I had to stop denying what I truly wanted and start honoring what mattered most to me.
Four months later, my dear friend pulled me from despair, and together we started a small business. We spent our days repurposing furniture, building a website, and frequenting flea markets to sell our wares. It was hard work, and I often fought through the fatigue and pain, but it kept me distracted from the darker thoughts MS brought with it. We felt like regular Martha Stewarts, finding joy and purpose in our creativity.
During this time, I learned a powerful lesson: your environment has so much to do with your health and happiness. I began to understand how deeply connected our physical spaces are to our mental and emotional wellbeing.
While I found joy in our creative pursuits, I also realized that I needed to prioritize my health and focus on what I truly wanted for my family. My husband and I had always dreamed of a second child, but after years of trying, it seemed out of reach. Still, I refused to let MS take away that dream. I closed my home furnishings consignment shop, stepped back from my interior design business, and devoted my energy to my health and our family.
Exactly one year after my diagnosis, on January 27, 2014, I found myself at a very different kind of appointment: my first prenatal visit. I was pregnant with my daughter, something I had thought might never happen. The universe has a funny way of waking you up and forcing you to take a closer look at your life.
It was during this period that I stumbled upon Dr. Esther Sternberg’s groundbreaking book on healing and the mind-body connection called Healing Spaces, The Science of Place and Well-Being. Her work affirmed what I was beginning to realize: our environment plays a crucial role in our wellbeing. From the air we breathe and the light that fills our spaces to the colors, textures, and layouts of our homes, everything around us can either support or hinder our health.
Scientific studies back this up. For example, research has shown that exposure to natural light improves mood and regulates sleep cycles. Indoor plants can purify the air and reduce stress. Organized and aesthetically pleasing spaces can boost productivity and create a sense of calm. Conversely, clutter, poor air quality, and harsh lighting can contribute to anxiety and fatigue.
This understanding inspired me to approach my interior design work through a wellness lens. I’ve seen firsthand how creating intentional, health-supporting spaces can transform lives. From using natural materials that improve air quality to incorporating stress-reducing elements like soft lighting and calming color palettes, I now design spaces that nurture both body and mind.
My journey with MS taught me to prioritize what truly matters: health, happiness, and creating a supportive environment. It’s a lesson I carry with me in my work and in my life, every single day.
Twelve years later, I’m still walking, still thriving, and still learning. MS didn’t define me; it redirected me toward a life of purpose and intention. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control the spaces we live in and the choices we make to honor our wellbeing.
If you’re curious about how your environment might be affecting your health and happiness, I’d love to help. Let’s create spaces that inspire and heal—because where you live should support how you thrive.