Emily blogs at Remodeling This Life about living a simple and frugal life while chronicling her family’s journey of downsizing to a smaller home that they’re remodeling on a shoe string budget. Emily is a stay at home mom to two and enjoys writing and running when she finds free time.
I firmly believe that our lives reflect our homes and our homes reflect our lives. When I am feeling my best, my home shows it and when my home is looking disheveled, it shows in me and other areas of my life. Is caring about a well kept home frivolous? Is it unnecessary and does it mean I am focusing on unimportant things in my life? I don’t think so. I think that caring about my home, the place my family shares love and laughter, needs to be a place that we’re all comfortable and enjoy being in.
A home doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful, or even as The Nester loves to tell us, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. You know what it does need to be? A reflection of you. The real, true, authentic you. You can gaze at photos on blogs and in magazines all day long and think about how nice it would all be, if only your house were bigger, you had more money, or time to do it all. Or you can look around you and realize that the most important thing isn’t having a home that is ready for it’s closeup in a magazine spread but is practical and beautiful to you.
Most of our homes won’t ever win awards, be in a magazine or make us famous. But they’re all beautiful in their unique ways – just like us. Home is where our families are. Where memories are made. Where kids play. Where tears are shed. Where meals are made. Those are the things that matter more than the size of a house or the things that are in it. We make our houses home by being there, living authentically and being warm and inviting to those who visit. We make our house a home by lighting candles at night, wrestling in the living room with our kids, and making messes in the kitchen.
A beautiful home inspires a beautiful life and that is why it’s important to take the time and care to make it so. Remembering that beautiful doesn’t mean perfect is also important though. Embrace the imperfections, soak in all the moments, and love and laugh often. You’ll never look back and wish you’d bought that piece of furniture, but you’ll be glad you made a home full of love.
All photos BHG
From the Nester: I. Love. This. Post. Why can’t I write like that? Read more about Emily at Remodeling This Life . And read even more about Emily over at The Inspired Room where Emily did a guest post showing a quick room makeover. Speaking of quick makeovers, don’t forget about our 10 minutes party tomorrow! Grab your buttons at the end of this post.
What happens in your house that makes it uniquely and wonderfully beautiful to you?