I have had this nagging feeling for the last few weeks about the journey I’m on in regards to our home and ALL the things in it. I’ve never felt so strongly that I should share my thoughts with all of you. After all, I started this website and work now with clients because I feel I have so much to share with them. I have learned soooo… much over the past 8 years of creating our home into a place that we just love. It’s by far finished, but the never-ending fun of making it what we want it to be for us is truly exciting!
So back to this nagging feeling. Now bear with me, the words that come from mind may not translate all that well when I hit the “publish” button. Remember I’m not a writer. Never in my mind have I realized so much that “stuff” is what I do want to live without. I want a minimalistic life for the two of us and for our kids, but I want a Great life I may add!
I want to teach my kids that less is more. I want to teach my kids that their closest doesn’t have to be plump full with clothes and toys to bring happiness to them. I like opening my kitchen cabinet doors and I can see open space, just because I don’t need Four of everything. I want to own just enough stuff to be able to lend something to someone because they don’t have it or could use one. I want my home uncluttered so that it makes cleaning up all that much easier for us as a family giving us more quality time together. I want to sit down at night and feel “calm” in my home. I want to spend money on items for my home that give me peace, not a Bad MasterCard Bill. I want to have things in my home only because they have a use OR they are needed or valuable for future use. I want to be Intentional about what I bring in my home.
These are just a few thoughts running around in my head lately, and I think that’s one of the reasons that my living room design is coming along so slowly. For starters, Darryl and I really haven’t had time for anything related to our home, and that’s okay. There would have been a time and season a few years ago that this idea would not have flown well or sat well with me. I am a doer and I am learning to “hold up” when I feel that something needs some more thought. This space that I am creating in our living room is not just any space, it’s our space. It’s the space that we spend time with the people that we love, it the space that we settle in to watch a movie together on a Saturday night because we’ve had a crazy week, and it’s also a place where we read to our children. It’s a special place and it has to come together “perfectly” for OUR HOME and not for anyone else’s. It just can’t be thrown together by visiting 2 stores and handing over my debit card. It needs to mean so much more than that.
Intentional Design | Intentional Living.
Does any of this ring true for you?
Absolutely! The clutter in our home drives me bonkers some days, especially now with kids. It amazes me how “stuff” accumulates and I’m always on a mission to tame it. I look forward to sharing in your journey of a simpler life.
Thanks Rachel, it is so comforting when I walk into a room and I don’t see lots of stuff! That goes for inside the closets too!
You are so right on, Jodi. One of my biggest problems is releasing the things I dont use or love that have sentimental value. I often keep things just because someone I love gave it to me.
keeping things that someone gave you and you don’t use is a hard decision. It all depends I guess on what it is?
I agree wholeheartedly and it’s good to be reminded of this. Especially as I am often challenged with the temptation of consumerism and always wanting more. Reality checks and perspectives are good things sometimes. Your thoughts are making me think of the quote: “live simply so others can simply live.” (I’m also thinking of the cookbook “More with Less” as well as a study guide that was written to go with this cookbook about living simply.) Thanks for sharing these thoughts.
Thanks Leanne, we are really strivng to live simple. This doesn’t mean that I don’t want to design my spaces, it just means that I do it with a lot of intent. Thanks for the comments!
Inspiring post! I like home design that is all about simplicity, comfort, and love not materialism!
What a great post. So often the excess in our culture is just grotesque. I mean how much stuff does one person, or family, really need?! Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring words. xo