I’m still surprised by how much the things you surround yourself with matter. It is so easy to just deal with what you may already have or the way things already are. After all, they are just *things*.
I lived with things that were just oh-kay (said like Randy Jackson on American Idol) for several years. But I’ve mentioned before that redecorating my living room really changed just being oh-kay with things. I decided to surround myself with things that make me feel good. If these things have to be here, things like a couch, or a pillow, or a lamp, make them things you truly like. There are things I use daily and things I just pass by in a room daily that make me happy when I see them. And it’s created such a different feeling and atmosphere. It lasts long beyond the immediate change of the decor. I’ve done that by just choosing things I love. That’s instead of choosing just things ‘that will work’.
Of course the challenge comes in when the things you love are beyond your reach in some way, whether it be price or availability or something else. Don’t allow that to cause you too much stress. That’s when you get creative or you develop patience (not easy for me!). Most of the time I’ve found you can find something else that will make you feel just as good if not the same as an item you’ve found that’s out of reach. And it’s about balance too. It’s easy to go to the other end of spectrum in your quest to create a space you love. But it’s okay to pause. I say that even though I have a hard time pausing. I like to DO. I like to be inspired. But sometimes inspiration pauses.
In our bedroom, I’ve updated from darker sheets to cheery, white bedding. I did put the sheepskin rugs on the sides of our bed. Love them. But several other things haven’t quite gelled together to create the look I’m happy with yet. So I just enjoy those two changes for now.
The advice to ‘go with what you love’ won’t steer you wrong when it comes to creating the space you live your life in, your home. Since I’ve started following that advice, I’ve really begun to enjoy home. Being in it. Feeling more connected, like it’s mine and not a generic home. It feels personal and cozy. And even though it’s somehow no longer generic, the feeling is not super specific to this home. I imagine that I could take these things I love and make another home feel cozy and personable as well. It’s about creating the comfort.
It’s ironic that I’m just entering this place of thought now, because my mother has always been there. She’s always seen the value of making your home beautiful with things you enjoy seeing. I feel like I should’ve caught on earlier just from being around her. But maybe it just comes to you when it comes. As they say, better late than never.
-J
Love your take on surrounding yourself with the things you love. I have being doing that for years now. People just thing I love to decorate but its more than that. I am very practical in the items I decorate with. It must be useful and beautiful at the same time. Thanks for sharing.