Satisfying Your Restlessness (Locally)
We're the restless types. I've mentioned it several times over, now, but it bears repeating.
Read more on restlessness here, here, or here.
Of course we don't all have the time, money, or careful planning skills it takes to create a stellar trip three times a year, so how can we create the illusion of a trip to satiate that desire in between the big, carefully planned trips? Today, I'm going to cover ways to get creative in your own area. Whether at home, or out and about. Sometimes it may take some imagination, but as adults, how often do we exercise that part of our brains anymore? If you have kids, maybe a little more often, but still. Here are a few ideas - some of which I have yet to try - to help satiate your specific wanderlust.
Itching to visit another country?
Try creating your picture of that visit in your own home or city. Italy on the brain? Pretend you're there! Get dressed up, find a non-chain Italian restaurant or pizzeria, order the wine, and enjoy. If you're at home, put on an Italian lute music station, prepare and cook up your favorite Italian dish, open a bottle of Chianti, dance in the kitchen with your spouse, watch an Italian film, grab some gelato, and have fun pretending!
Been wanting something French, but don't live near a French restaurant? Croque-Monsieur sandwiches are easier than you think and soooo yummy. Do this sort of thing with any country and try to make it as authentic as you can. Indian food and a Bollywood film? Yes please!
Are you in need of a warm escape from the winter blues?
Find an indoor waterpark and spend an overnight there. How about a botanical gardens or zoo? These places need warmth for both plant and animal life to survive winter and can offer you that sweet escape, even if only for a day. You could even try a fitness center with a pool, hot tub, or sauna. Have a cool, beachy drink... even sneak one in, if you have to ;) Do you have a fireplace? Sounds cheesy, but desperate times could lead you to firing that baby up, laying out near it in a bathing suit, putting a continuous beach scene video on the TV, and enjoying a fruity drink all in your own home! Hey. Don't knock it till you've tried it. If anything, it'll give you a much needed chuckle!
Looking to get outside and take in some views?
Look up some nearby places for a hike and leave your phone behind. Are there some scenic wineries nearby? Who doesn't love some views with a nice drink? Are there any national or state parks within a short drive? Historic sites? I grew up in small town Iowa, and even there, the Native American history was very common and fascinating. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, deserts, etc... Try to go for places you've ignored for a while or were too lazy to drive to before. Go camping in your own town!
Another cheese-ball one: can you make a fire in the backyard? Or deck-out your porch or patio into a little garden escape? Fit a tent our some sleeping bags out there and take in the view of the night sky? In a little apartment I once had, my roommate and I had part of a rooftop to use, and Tom would come visit and pull all the cushions off my couch and create an outdoor bed/couch. He'd grab some beer, and we'd talk until late into the night. Throw in some lanterns or outdoor lights if you want to make it romanic-y. Sometimes we'd even walk to the nearest grocery store and pick up some ice cream for dessert.
Create your own challenges
Have you ever wondered where the best Mexican food is in your town? Spend the week trying a new place every other day and just split things to save money.
Or in one day, make it a challenge to go to different places and areas of town for different pieces: a yummy drink, a lunch to share, a place for entertainment, something sweet to eat, a scenic view, a physical activity, a place to rest for little bit, another drink stop, a place to buy a new hat, etc... make your own day, but creatively piece every little part of it together over hours and hours. It makes it almost like a scavenger hunt, but not rushed and not to win a prize. Just to be silly!
Find the open houses and estate sales
Sometimes we dream of a different house or style of home, but we wouldn't actually pursue it. So sometimes we like to just crash an open house and pretend. Or wander through an estate sale just to be nosey. Bonus points if you can actually find an item worth buying.
Go on a drive
A drive in itself probably won't help your wanderlust, but it very well may take you somewhere you wouldn't have expected. On one of my restless drives (with Tom) we ended up at a harbor almost two hours away from home late at night. We walked the dark paths along the docks and listened to the boats lapping air and water on the waves. We saw the shops of the main street only lit by the streetlights, and tried to picture them in the daylight. It gave us a little sense of wonder and a break from the mundane. And obviously we stopped for ice cream so...
Start planning a trip
This sounds like it would make things worse, but truly. Just the act of planning a trip can satiate some of that desire to "go." It can get you in that dreamy state, but also quench a little of the desire once you look at the prices and all the little details.
What else would you add?
My Best Decor Deals
Do you ever peruse Pinterest and see posts about how people made some amazing piece of furniture or decor for pennies on the dollar? Does it...
Do you ever peruse Pinterest and see posts about how people made some amazing piece of furniture or decor for pennies on the dollar? Does it sometimes drive you a little crazy because you don't actually have the skills/tools to try your hand at it? Like everything they make for cheap is super pretty, but unattainable for you?
I'm gonna let you in on a secret...
You don't have to be "crafty" to be good at DIY. You just have to know what to look for so that you don't actually have to do much to an item to make it work in your home. Be thrifty! Be picky!
Here are some of my best decor deals - some are used, some are new, but they all serve me well!
Living room carpet: $16
It was brand new from Restore by Habitat for Humanity, and even though it's not the color or pile I'd normally choose, it has served its purpose well and I'll never be upset when it gets ruined because it was so dang cheap!
All our curtains: none are more than $40 for a pair
$30 Master (IKEA)
$20 Wood room (Target)
$20 Guest room (IKEA)
$40 Living room (Tuesday Morning)
Honorable mention: all our curtain rods from IKEA. Cheaper than anywhere and simple.
All our mirrors: none are more than $30
$30 Vanity (IKEA)
$19 Entryway (thrift store - originally priced at $230!)
$15 Guest room (Home Goods)
$10 Full length (Wal-Mart)
Monet print: $6
A Goodwill find, of course! We just cut off the bottom part and framed it.
Large canvas in our Master: $20
Goodwill again. It was a canvas print we didn't care for, so we primed and painted it into a piece that suits our style. It's about five feet wide and was perfect for the large wall in our bedroom.
Guest room side tables: $11 for both
Goodwill. Yes, again. Solid wood... and with some sanding, a couple coats of paint, and some new hardware, they added the perfect flare to that room.
Blanket basket: $25
Home Goods is always a winner.
Vases: $2 or less
For vases, I think old canning jars of varying sizes are the simplest and prettiest. I'll spread a bouquet across two or three jars of varying heights and sizes to create a fun centerpiece and Goodwill almost always has more if I need them.
There you have it! Just a few of my favorite finds! I'll also tell you that TJ Maxx and Home Goods have the best prices on soft, cozy throw blankets than anywhere else, and you'll be surprised what kinds of gems you can find at Goodwill that need nothing more than a coat of paint. Never be afraid of thrifting!
January | 2017
For some reason it feels like this last month was AGES long. Just me??? Needless to say, a LOT happened in January. I apologize for my MIA tendencies lately. I warned you back in November (in this Instagram post) that you may see me more sporadically over the next while due to something we're dealing with in our personal life, and this month has been a busy one in terms of that topic. I am hoping I can be more consistent soon, so keep a look out! Let me dive in and share the scoop from our month.
Life Updates
We finally took our Bernese Mountain Dog home and he's been a complete and utter joy! We love him to pieces, and his sassy ways and dorky puppyisms constantly crack us up. He's gone from 12lbs to 20lbs in the last month and it shows! Also, you can now follow Hondo's rapidly growing Instagram account for pictures and updates. Plus he's already been approached for a sponsorship from a subscription box for pups, so there's fun things to come!
It snowed (iced) in Atlanta! Which is always a little scary because the driving conditions are terrible, but it's always a welcome scene for another otherwise brown winter. The pup definitely loved it the day after arriving in his new home.
Since bringing Hondo home, we've been far more active! He doesn't need a ton of exercise yet since he's little, but we certainly weren't doing a lot of moving before, so that's been incredibly positive. Not to mention the impromptu dates that have come as a result of being out with him!
I was able to freshen up my office with the help of my favorite print shop, Social Print Studio. See the post here if you missed it.
Had a couple hang out seshies with my girls Autumn and Alex!
I got myself locked in one of our bedrooms (they lock from the outside?!) WITH Hondo and I had to have Tom leave work early to come rescue us. It wasn't the first time I locked myself in a room of this house with no way to escape. This time at least I had my phone, but the funny thing is, I had shut the door to keep Hondo from escaping so I could take cute photos like this one... (I think it was worth it).
We started looking into landscaping help for our backyard. We are not very good green thumbs, so the help will be necessary. We can renovate an entire kitchen, but we can't landscape our yard?!
We took Hondo on a hike where we met up with a large group of other area BMD owners and dogs. He suddenly felt very small amongst the big ones! We loved seeing some familiar faces and loving on the big pups.
We had lots of appointments and we kind of gave up on cooking this month and still have no food in our house - haha - on a high note, a Culver's just opened up the road from our house which is AWESOME considering they are few and far between outside of the Midwest!
Lizards have started invading our porch and back yard. I would rather have lizards than insects, so I don't mind, but they are a little creepy.
Favorite Links or Posts
- This awesome paper tablet. We go through so many small sketchbooks for our various doodles and ideas in this house, so seeing this product totally had us geeking out.
- I love this post by Hey There, Chelsie on rocking the hot mess that is your life. It sums up a lot of my January and her tips are honestly really helpful.
- This post by Coming Up Roses on things bloggers are sick of hearing. So much truth!
- This new Ed Sheeran song:
January was busy, exciting, frustrating, sad, and happy all rolled into one. I'm glad to start off February on a positive note (and fewer doctor's appointments!) and am looking forward to the growing number of spring breakers who will be stopping by our home. That's still one of my favorite Georgia perks! How was your January, my friends? What are you looking forward to in February?
Little Ways Your Spouse Is Loving You Without Saying It
You know how sometimes we have a tendency to get so caught up in a routine or so unbalanced in our busy schedules we stop noticing the moments in between?
What I mean, are the moments when you aren't kissing, saying "I love you," bringing home flowers, going on a date, etc... those are all pretty clear moments of affection and ways we can show love to our spouse. I mean the moments when we're caught up in our own little bubble, slightly oblivious to what's going on in the other room or even right next to us.
Here a few moments maybe you're missing amidst the busyness, but are certainly little ways "I love you" is being said without actually saying it. Maybe some of them are even annoying to you, but take a minute and think of something they do or say that might just have a sweeter meaning!
- They tell you to drive safe.
- They message you out of nowhere to see how your day is.
- They get you a glass of water for your bedside table while you brush your teeth.
- They take baby/pet duty for the evening/morning/entire day.
- They cook you dinner - maybe even one of your favorites.
- They clean up the kitchen after a meal.
- They take care of the finances every week.
- They pick up dinner on their way home.
- They fix the leaky faucet or clogged drain (and you never even noticed!)
- They do all the laundry and make sure your bedding is always fresh.
- They tell you how handsome/beautiful you are every morning - before you've hardly opened your eyes to wake up.
- They pass on compliments others have shared about you.
- They give you a back-rub just because.
- They clean up your side of the bedroom/sink/etc...
- They surprise you for a midweek lunch date.
- They take a day off to help you with something.
- They tell you to let them know when you get to your destination.
- They always, always hug you when they greet you at the beginning or end of a day apart.
- They send you links to things that you'd like (or they like and just want to share with you!)
- They wait to watch that show with you.
- They hold your hand in the car.
- They give you that sweet look of admiration or one that says "you're hot and I love you."
- They tell you they're proud of you and appreciate you.
- They speak well of you around others.
- They drive a little slower, just for you ;)
- They bring you home a bottle of wine/beer/whatever.
- They always make sure there's coffee for you in the morning.
- They make sure you know how important you are to them.
- They take turns reading a book aloud with you.
- They keep your car in good shape and gas filled up.
- They fix your buggy phone or computer.
- They wait to have dinner with you - even though they're starving!
- They make you something (sewing, building furniture, DIY house project, etc...).
- They give you their jacket.
- They let you have the last bite of dessert.
- They drive you (I take this for granted all the time! I love my chauffeur!).
- They play with the kids so you have time for yourself.
- They encourage you to do what you love.
- They support you, right alongside you in your faith.
- They pray for you.
- They know your favorites and style and you could trust them to order you a drink, entree, pair of shoes, piece of furniture, whatever, without worrying about their choice.
- They know the temperatures you're most comfortable in the car, outside, etc...
- They keep trips organized and efficient.
- They clean up the dog poop.
- They ask you if you need anything from the kitchen before they come sit down.
- They take their shoes off before tracking all over the house.
- They listen to your boring work stories.
- They notice your new hair-do/haircut, shaved face, new earrings, etc...
- They give you secret signals in public that say "I love you" or remind you of an inside joke.
- They do weird things just to make you laugh.
- They remember to keep the necessities for the house in stock (toilet paper!)
- They randomly order something they know you'll love and don't tell you until you open it in the mail.
- They watch the shows or movies only you like, just so they can be with you.
- They don't judge you when you're gassy - haha!!
- They help you decorate a room and hold up items on the walls for "vision."
- They hold you tight when you need to cry.
- They open jars and reach things that are too high.
- They smell nice for you.
- They take the sweetest care you when you're sick.
- They sass you in the very best ways and never stop flirting with you.
- They genuinely respect you and it shows.
- They put God and faith before you.
- They're there in a jiffy when you're in a bind.
- They let you have the favorite blanket.
- They leave their stuff in the pile of whatever room because they had to drop everything to give you a kiss.
- They take pictures of you that you hate, but they cherish because it was a real moment.
- And that even if you've been grumpy with each other, those little moments in between are still there to fill in "I love you."
Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg, and mostly ones I could think of from our one relationship out of the millions of relationships in the world. How does your spouse "love you in between?"
Creating An Inspiring Home Office
Do any of my readers have home offices? Whether you work from home or just have a desk dedicated to bills and management of your personal...
The products in this post are c/o Social Print Studio.
Do any of my readers have home offices? Whether you work from home or just have a desk dedicated to bills and management of your personal finances or life events, it's important to feel a sense of order in these places. As someone who works from home, I must admit that using my desk/office area has been a bit of a struggle. The bed is warmer and cozier, and being able to just sit up after a night's sleep and hit the keyboard is convenient.
But...
It's not very good for me.
Someone please tell me you work from your bed too?! Please? So I don't feel like such a bum? Not only is it awful for my posture and generally just lazy, but it also breaches the boundary of use for our bed. The bed is a place for rest and is shared with the hottie I call husband, so to use it for work is a little unnecessary.
We don't currently have a room that is dedicated as my home office, but I've been in need of a place to comfortably do my work for some time. You've seen the renovation of our whole house over the course of this past year, yet somehow creating a home office got overlooked! For the new year, I decided I needed to tackle this problem and I've had get creative in making a portion of our master bedroom an office until we can perhaps transform one of our spare bedrooms into a joint space for both of us.
The thing is, this desk area doubles as a vanity for doing my hair and makeup, so it's important for me to be able to hide my beauty stuff so as to create a productive area for work. Over the last year, it's definitely felt like more of a vanity and less like a desk, but thanks to the help of Social Print Studio, I'm feeling so much more confident in using this area as my office! In fact, full disclosure, this is probably the first post I've ever written in its entirety at my desk and not elsewhere. Winning already!
When creating an inspiring home office for yourself (even in the confines of part of another room) there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind so it works for you specifically and will make you want to use it.
A proper desk for you
Though you may like the look of a minimal desk with no storage, will you find yourself in a disorganized pile of papers and odds and ends without a place to stow them away? Think about what you'd really need in a desk and what sorts of storage you might need for yourself. I don't personally have a lot of papers (I do everything electronically), but I need a couple drawers for my camera lenses, laptop sleeve, flash drives, and of course my makeup.
A comfortable, supportive chair
This seems like a given, but have you seen some of those office photos with bizarre, clear or oddly shaped chairs? Typical office chairs on wheels can be good in terms of support, but I was looking for something minimal, soft, and good for my posture. You might grimace looking at the white fabric, but it's a washable cover and it stays pristine. Figure out what sort of chair you'd most likely be able to spend several hours in and wouldn't leave you with a backache.
Decor that inspires
Do you have some favorite quotes or catchphrases that motivate and inspire you? Maybe even some photos that remind you why you do what you do? A candle that offers a refreshing scent? Images that give you a sense of peace or purpose? Put them somewhere prominent or in a place you might glance up to in between thoughts. This was a big one I had been missing, so I'm loving the wood prints from Social Print Studio. One with a Bible verse that reminds me to do what is good. As writer, it's a great reminder for me to put forth words that are truthful and pleasing to God. Another is a quote from Winston Churchill. Solid mix, am I right? God's Word and Winston Churchill - haha! Winston's words remind me to be brave and stand up for what I believe, even if it's something not everyone will agree with. Being brave in my writing is a personal struggle for me as we live in a world that's constantly offended. I don't want to be offensive, but I also don't want to always work with my tail between my legs. The truth takes courage. As for photos, I chose a wedding photo as a reminder of... well, need I say more? Tom is my number one fan, and I couldn't do what I do without him. The other photo, of me holding a vase of eucalyptus, was just a photo that brings me good thoughts and calms me when my mind goes off track. The wood prints I have are the smallest ones they offer (4x4), but they go all the way up to 16x20. Another bit of decor that I think adds a lot with a little, is some sort of plant life. Don't forget a candle (if that's your jam) to warm up your space and put off soothing scents. All of these pieces add not only to the aesthetic of an office, but they fit into our room and home with ease.
Organization
If your desk doesn't offer built-in storage, how about some bookshelves or stylish filing cabinets? Desktop storage also offers some good options when you need things at your fingertips. What about wall organization? Another one of my favorites from Social Print Studio are their wall calendars. Guys, their print quality is AMAZING and this calendar is not only visually stunning (with my choice of personal photos for each month), but it'll be perfect for me to fill out and be able to quickly glance over the month's schedule. It would go great next to a bulletin or chalk/white-erase board or some awesome floating shelves. If you're like me and sometimes need a more visual overview of your schedule, this calendar is the perfect addition to your office. For whatever reason, computer calendars don't always cut it for me and things get overlooked. Plus, the physical calendar just adds a great pop to my little space and makes me feel like I'm at work.
Healthy sustenance
When working from home, it's easy to grab the fastest, most unhealthy food choices. Chips, sugary granola bars, and soda. But by keeping a few healthy alternatives at your desk, you'll easily make better choices and keep yourself from wandering into the kitchen for something more. I try to maintain a healthy water intake every day, and this little glass pitcher is perfect for refills and looks pretty too. Also, what's easier than fruit?! Keep a little bowl of fruit or nuts near your office and the temptations for the bad stuff will diminish.
Good lighting
Isn't this an obvious one? Thankfully I get plenty of natural light in our house, but a good lamp is essential when that's not available. This one was a DIY project I had envisioned and my husband brought to life. Yet again, it fits in with not only my desk aesthetic, but the whole room.
Thanks to Social Print Studio for collaborating with me on this post. I've been a long-time customer and have ordered several of their products as gifts. You guys know I would never talk about or endorse a brand or product I didn't 100% love, and SPS is no exception. They are super responsive in terms of customer service and their products are truly great quality. Not to mention they make these great business cards I ordered several months ago. I leave them on tables and hand them out to business contacts I come across or potential clients - definitely recommend them.
What do you need in a home office? You better believe that when we create a joint office, Social Print Studio will be gracing the space once again :) Go check 'em out! (These giant photostrips are next on my wish list)
What We Didn't Picture
From relatively young ages, we all start to picture our futures. What we want to be when we grow up, what kind of person we'll marry, where we'll live, the places we want to see, the kids we'll have, the house we'll live in, the lifestyle we'll follow, and so on.
In college, that picture of our future starts to come within reach. We study fields we want careers in, maybe we meet our spouses, and the timeline of the next distinctive season of our lives seems to clarify.
I remember spending many a night throughout those fours years with my girlfriends (and even good guy friends) talking about our hopes and fears and expectations of life beyond the brick walls of that cold Wisconsin campus. As in the years prior, they were visions of jobs, spouses, children, places, and impacts we'd make in the lives of others. It was exciting and scary, but I'm still grateful that it was in an environment that urged prayer and devotion with one another.
I'm grateful because those prayers and moments in God's Word together, brought us increasingly closer and have helped each of us along in life's challenges today. A friend recently reminded me of the things we seemed to gloss over in our thoughts as we dreamed of our futures.
Because you see, what we failed to picture in our futures were the heartaches. The hard marriage seasons or divorce, the infertility, the loss of a child, spouse or other loved ones, the miscarriages, the financial burdens, the job layoffs, the loneliness, the anxiety or depression, the hard adjustments, the illnesses, the accidents, or anything else that falls under devastation and heartache. It was in that safe bubble of college dreaming that we visualized the happiness. I wouldn't trade that time or even go back and warn myself and my friends, because it was a place of innocence and joy. I think back on it fondly.
Now, however, the reality of those sweet timelines and plans have begun to set in. We do see the heartache and we have no choice but to face it. It's not all a grim view, of course, but with that picture perfect vision slowly morphing into one with sad seasons, you can't help but mourn the vision you once had.
Yet, it's how we face these challenges that will determine the outcome of our lives. In our marriage, we face trials head-on. We don't sugar-coat, and we lean heavily on the Lord. We see the struggles and sad seasons of our friends and we pray, offer a listening ear, support, and love them. We have learned how little we really know about the trials of those around us, how very little we actually control, and how blind we are to the heartaches.
But when we open up and let the people we love in, we create a safe place of vulnerability and honesty. A place where you hear "me too" or "how can I help you?" A place where you can face reality with the strength of many, instead of baring it alone amidst the everyday routine. A place where active prayer and God's Word are shared to remind you you're never alone and His plan is best... even when it's hard to accept it in the present.
Maybe the fantasized picture of our lives would have been the easiest or most ideal by our standards, but isn't it the hard things that stretch us and teach us and bring us new perspectives and understanding? It's a hard lesson, learning to be grateful for the tough stuff, but it's important.
You learn that even when you feel like you're about to fall apart, you don't. You're stronger than you realize. You learn to be grateful for the seasons of peace and quiet. You learn to value the little things, the little victories, and the people who are most important. The very things we didn't picture are the things that give us purpose and help us relate to others who are stumbling through the same storms. Sometimes it's God's way of bringing people together and teaching us humility, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.
How will you face the challenges you never pictured? Who will you ride out these storms with?
For me, it will be Christ. He is my rock, and he is the rock of my marriage and many of my friendships. I will face the trials I never pictured all those years ago, and take from them new perspectives and a kinder outlook. I'll choose (though I'll fail to do so many times) to trust His plan and be a witness of His grace and love. I'll work to be a shoulder for those who need it, and try to offer the same peace He gives to me.
Our trials can make or break us. What we didn't picture can help us grow, or crush us to pieces. Join me in letting others in, and allowing life's ebbs and flows to strengthen you to become a beacon of hope and solid confidence for those who need it.
And maybe by doing so, we'll see the incredible picture He had in store for us all along. We'll revel in the outcome and be grateful for the journey that got us there. Regardless of reality, I know that I'll spend eternity with Him. Today, I'm thankful for what I didn't picture. Are you?
Letting Go Of Perfectionism
We all have those areas where we need to be stretched. For some maybe they need to find ways to be more confident. For others they need to be stretched and challenged in their work so as not to become complacent. Adding a new baby stretches people, getting married and living with a new person stretches people, and in my current case... adding a puppy to a perfectionist's home stretches me.
I knew months ago that I was going to write this post. Not because it's been four or five days and I'm going to pull my hair out (he's not even shedding and he's been really, a pretty good little pup), but because it's an adjustment for the bubble I've created in our home. A clean, quiet bubble with no dirt clumps or carpet stains or unsavory smells. That's going to change, and I have to change with it.
It doesn't mean letting go of my already cleanly habits entirely, but it means taking things a notch or two down on my perfectionism spectrum. It means making room for messes that are made by a little creature that brings me joy. It's not going to be easy, and for any perfectionist out there, letting go of such habits is a serious challenge. Here are some things I'm going to keep in mind to redefine what "perfect" is to me. Not just in the case of our new puppy, but in my perfectionist nature as a whole.
Remember that God is in the messes too.
Have you heard this phrase? I've heard it several times lately, and the timing has always been just right. It's a simple statement, but think about it. Does God only meet us when our counters are clean and our beds are made? Does He only meet us when clothes are folded or cars are detailed? No. Of course not. His Word is there in the pile of laundry on the living room floor. We can pray for patience amidst the puppy accidents on the rug, and we can do devotions with our loved ones before we say goodnight in a room strewn with shoes, towels, and dirty socks. My house doesn't need to be perfect for God... so why does it need to be such a high standard of perfect at all?
Can your incessant perfectionism make the sweeter things less sweet?
We have a puppy! Of course I'm completely thrilled and overjoyed beyond belief, but does my need to vacuum very crumb off the carpet to keep things "how I like them," take away from this precious puppy-hood? It might. It's easy to justify by calling it upkeep or "for my sanity," but it's just a justification for not being able to let go of my perfectionism. Am I saying I should let my whole house go to rot? No, but the "freak" in my clean-freak nature may need to take a backseat so it doesn't sour the sweet things.
That's just one example though. Think of when you put some of your perfectionist tendencies before your children, spouse, or friends. Maybe you're a perfectionist with your work and it makes you a workaholic with little time to give your family. Before we know it, perfectionism can creep in and ruin even the sweetest things.
I'm not actually in control.
Sometimes I think perfectionism comes from a need to control. In a positive sense, it can give you a feeling of consistency when everything else seems to be out of whack. However, it can also give you a false sense of control. As much as I like to think I keep our home (as an example) in tip-top shape, things will still go awry because that's life. Roofs eventually need re-shingling - no matter how well you care for them, leaks in plumbing can occur, and carpet gets ruined.
Do you sometimes find yourself thinking your actual life plan should go one way and then... it doesn't? No matter how often you "play by the rules" or supposedly do everything right, you're not actually in control. God is. There are no better hands for my life to be in, so why stomp my foot and get upset when it doesn't? God doesn't make mistakes. But we do. Let go of the control and trust.
Leaving room for imperfection, leaves room for grace.
We all need grace. I've talked about it many times on this little space, but the truth is, I'm not always that good at giving grace, even though it's given to me so freely by my Savior. When my husband makes the same annoying (but pithy) mistake over and over, my grace starts to run dry. But with God, graces abounds... so where does mine disappear to? I'm not saying you leave room to purposefully sin, but to realize that mistakes are inevitable, life isn't perfect, and grace can offer so much freedom and practice in forgiveness, that imperfection shouldn't cause fear.
These are just a few things I hope to keep in mind in the coming months as we move forward and our "bubble" changes. Over the last four years, since Tom and I got married, we've experienced all sorts of changes to the plan we had envisioned, but... we've survived 100% of the curves in our path. With our feet firmly rooted in Christ, I know that letting go of perfectionism will undoubtedly yield good fruit. Even if it takes me a long time (which it will), I endeavor to find beauty and rest in the mess.
Home Office Inspiration
After we finished our kitchen reno (over a year ago already!), I think the DIY bug felt... satiated? Haha - hey, it was a LOT of work! But now that we've had a break, I've been feeling like our spare bedroom could use a purpose. It's been used as a storage room, a second guest room, and (don't laugh.. okay.. fine go ahead) Hondo's room.
We put up a wood accent wall that I think we are already tired of, but I do like the texture of it. I want to rough it up and perhaps paint it something sort of moody and fill the room with lots of natural wood, white, and functional pieces.
The challenge in this project, is that I'd like it to serve both Tom and I. He works from home occasionally, and I work from home all the time. It would be nice to have a place where our work stuff can gather and we can close it off from the rest of the house. Right now, Tom takes early morning conference calls each week from the couch in the living room and this means Hondo can't be disruptive and I can't make any noise either. So the current situation is not very conducive to work/life balance in that sense.
However, we do use this spare room as second guest room fairly often, so I also want to create a super functional room with desk space for two with the ability to turn it into a welcoming guest room when needed. This will be a big challenge since this is the smallest of the bedrooms, but I think it would be an awesome and unique way to liven up the space.
Here is my office inspiration board on Pinterest. I want to keep the cool tones we have throughout the rest of the house consistent with this room, as well as add our modern/mid-century flare.
My favorite image of the set, is the one with the navy wall, wood shelves, and rattan chairs. It's seriously giving me ALL the heart eyes!
Here is what that room looks like currently (when it's set up for guests):
We liked the idea of the wood wall, but quickly realized it's far too warm for our taste. I want to paint that puppy navy right this second!
To remedy the issue of needing this office to transform into a guest space, I thought it would be awesome to add a sleeper sofa. It would make a perfect spot for lounging if we wanted a break from the desk (and could even give us seating for small meetings) and would help create a space we'd enjoy working in.
via IKEA
I think with a couch in the room, we'd have to get a little creative with the use of space in terms of desks, but it would a fun challenge. I thought perhaps lining a couple of the walls with fold down desks would be nice for stowing them away when guests came to town. Or placing them just so, so they'd become side tables for the bed.