HGTV has royally screwed us over. Not to mention House Beautiful, Southern Living, Veranda Magazine and every Container Store brochure.
They are PERFECTION.
Even the spaces that are “lived in.”
The casually draped throw and the perfectly placed fruit on the table.
I don’t remember anyone ever eating like that in my house. No crumbs, no wrappers, no smears of chocolate running down the table leg. Maybe I’ve raised heathens but that just doesn’t seem life real life.
You look at those scenes and fantasize that your home could look and feel even half as inspiring.
You fall into negative self-talk about your below average, unkept home and put down the magazine feeling defeated instead of motivated.
But before you fall deeper into the spiraling hole of wanna-be world, I have to ask you this.
Are you chasing after someone else’s dream?
Or more importantly,
Are you longing for a false reality?
The truth is, your life is beautiful and full too.
Full of:
:: ups and downs
:: personalities and attitudes
:: loved items and neglected clutter
:: chipped dishes and scarred furniture
…all which add to your imperfectly perfect home and life.
Your closets, hallways, junk drawers, coffee tables and bookshelves are full of memories, events and adventures.
If flawless pieces and impeccable spaces were your world, where would you have room to live, experience and grow?
The truth is, you’re ambitious. You’re driven. You have so many ideas of what you want to do and achieve, that your life doesn’t belong on a snapshot of a magazine cover.
That’s not your reality.
You’re bolder, louder, busier, bigger and you my friend, are exactly where you need to be.
Sure your home and habits could use improvements, tweaks, pivots or a little TLC, but don’t undermine your efforts by falling into the comparison trap of those quintessential photos, stores, magazine spreads…or even that friend.
At the intersection of living your life and doing the best you can, You and I, we have a lot to be thankful for.
In our messes and piles and heaps we’re raising children, nurturing relationships and strengthening communities.
Some days I look around and simply think:
:: I have dirty dishes because someone has enjoyed my food.
:: I have cluttered counters because I am blessed with items.
:: I have lingering laundry because I am fortunately clothed.
It’s wonderful to dream, hope and inspire to be better. But not at the expense of negative self talk or living by comparison.
Keep doing what you’re doing.
Here in the real world, we put one foot in front of the other each day.
And if that means the foot has to reach over the pizza box left from last night and those socks from who-knows-when — well, then — So Be It.
To embracing imperfection.
XO,
Mridu
i keep falling off the clean wagon. you’re an important part of my recovery always suggestitions are great and moving me to fun ways to keep the clean program going in my life. thanks for all the great tips I like this one and especially how to in 10 minutes accomplish great things
Sheryl, thanks so much for your message. And please know that, you are not alone! 😉 Staying on the clean wagon is tough — we are need encouragement from time to time. But I know you can do it. Remember, just a little bit each day makes a big difference! xo, mridu