Lately there’s been a lot of talk about self-love, and I think it is so so important, but what about house-love? After years of practice, I’m proud to say that I can finally look at myself in the mirror and tell myself, “Good job body!” I even did that this morning, and I just had a baby 8 months ago! But how often do you do this only to turn around and look at your house in disgust? I know from experience how easy it is to get caught up in the pattern of thinking, someday I’ll have my dream home, and guess what current home? You’re not it! We all think, once I have my dream home, I’ll… (insert literally anything here) … But just like we can’t hate our bodies into loving them, we can’t do that with our homes either. Here’s how to love the home you’re in right NOW.
Talk nicely to your home
Just like you must practice changing the negative mantras in your mind about yourself to truly love yourself, you’ve got to do the same thing with your home. Start taking on an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity one. When you think, “This house is too small, there’s not enough storage”, try to change it into a positive thought like, “I love how cozy our house is. We’re never very far from one another and it forces me to declutter”. Try to be grateful for and notice all the wonderful things that you DO have, not what you don’t.
Take care of your home
It becomes easier to love your home when you take good care of it. This means keeping it clean, organized, and running smoothly. It does not have to be perfect, just functional! If there’s something about your home that annoys you, (for example, I cannot stand the shoes strewn around our front door) start brainstorming practical solutions. For example, from now on, all shoes will go in this cute basket I got at the neighbor’s yard sale! It doesn’t have to be fancy, built-in, or expensive. It just needs to make your life a little bit easier. Soon you’ll start appreciating your own creativity and how your home serves you.
Make it yours
Have you been waiting for your dream home to hang pictures on the wall? Are you worried about getting pillows for the couch because they’ll just get destroyed? Stop waiting and worrying. Live your life! Make your home yours and hang those pictures. Buy the pillows-they’re just pillows! The great thing about decorating your home is that nothing is permanent. Think about how you want to feel when you enter a room of your home and then how you can create that feeling. When I walk into my bedroom, I want to feel peaceful and relaxed. For me, that means no clutter on the floor, I make my bed every morning, I have a nice comforter that matches the shams, and a stack of books I can’t wait to read on the nightstand. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Give your home (and yourself) grace
Even when you get your dream home one day, it won’t be Instagram worthy every second of the day. Sometimes it will get messy and dirty. I know what you’re thinking, “But once I have my dream home, I’ll also have a cleaning lady!” Yes, I think that too and we probably will both have cleaning ladies. But the point is, it won’t always be perfect like you’re picturing in your head. Because it’s called living life! It’s time to embrace the messiness and imperfections of your current home. Just call it charm and character! And then when you do have your dream home, you won’t be disappointed when you realize that sometimes it’s imperfect in its own way as well.
Greenery, Greenery, Greenery
I feel like I’ve mentioned greenery in every single blog post I’ve written. Because I believe in it that much. Greenery gets overlooked and underestimated way too often. You don’t have to buy a living thing, just please go out and spend $20 on some faux plants from TJ Maxx or Hobby Lobby-anything! I’m telling you; it will brighten up your home, give it some personality, and help create that feeling you’re looking for.
David and I don’t live in our dream home right now and I’m ok with that. I daydream about our dream home often and add to my running list of things I want to put in that home on a regular basis. One day, when we are millionaires and money is no object, we WILL have heated toilet seats. But until then, I can honestly say I love our little home in the middle of nowhere right now. Just how she is. We’ve created so many beautiful memories here, brought home a puppy and a baby, wanted to kill each other over renovation projects, had meaningful conversations, and laughed and dreamed about our future. This home is nowhere near perfect, but we honestly love it! And I know you can love yours just as it is too. I’d love to hear in the comments what you love about your home!