Do you sometimes compare your home with those you see on Pinterest or Instagram? I do. I love browsing the amazing photos of homes I can’t afford, LOL.
Don’t get me wrong. I would love to live in a beautiful home with pool and amazing views, but the reality is most can’t afford it.
We live in a creekfront ranch home and although we’ve contemplated moving and looked at homes on the market, you know what? I love this home more than any of the pricier ones.
Why?
I love the view of our yard. I love the great location and being within walking-distance of our parents. Most of all, I love the memories. Both of my daughters were conceived and raised in this home. Our family came into being right here!
Our rancher is a modest 1500 square feet. It’s small, but it’s comfortable for 4.
While I like the idea of a large master bath, an open kitchen, and some real closet space, I realize that no matter what I have there will always be something more I want, if I set my heart on it.
Sure. Our home isn’t perfect but none are. No matter what you have there’s always something else you might like to have in a house that you realize after you use it a while.
If you find that you’re always looking on to bigger and better places, stop, breathe, and consider these tips first:
- Write down what you like about your home.
What made you buy it in the first place? What’s your favorite thing about it? Focus on those things and not what’s lacking. - Stop comparing your home to other people’s.
We’re all guilty of this at times. It’s easy when visiting a home to see something you wish you had. How do they afford both a big home and a vacation home?! I get it. I really do. Again, breathe deeply and return to tip #1. - Clean and organize.
I find it easier to appreciate my home when it’s neat and clutter-free. I can think better. And that’s coming from someone who still needs to work on her organization skills. 🙂 - Do a simple update.
You don’t have to go overboard. It can be as simple as adding new knobs/pulls to your kitchen cabinets. Adding new accessories (pillows, plants, throws), putting on a fresh coat of paint, or changing light fixtures can spruce up the place. For $13 I added new hardware to the garage door and it really made a difference! - Fix something that’s broken.
There’s always something, right? A leaky toilet, broken lights, loose handles. In my case I have to ask my hubby or pay a handyman because he was born without the handyman gene. He keeps a to-do list for the next handyman visit and eventually makes the call. It’s easier to appreciate your home when things work the way they’re suppose to. - Don’t dwell on the imperfections.
While you can fix some things, you can’t fix everything–like that crack in the window over the sink or that scratch the kids put on your hardwood. An imperfection can either grieve you every time you see it or you can just accept that everything can’t be perfect. Both my husband and I have to actively work on this. It’s easy to be bothered by flaws that you have to look at every day. You simply have to learn to not focus on them. That’s what we do. - Have friends or family over.
That’s what it’s all about. Our homes should be a place where we can spend time with those we love. Cook a favorite meal, play some music, light a candle and enjoy your together time! Make a habit of it.
I hope and pray that you learn to find contentment in your home. Contentment isn’t something we get automatically. It’s something we develop when we choose to be thankful for and focus on what we have.
So whether you live in a mansion or a tiny home, what truly matters is spending time with the people you love.
Jennabel
