Do you ever feel pressured to have a perfectly decorated and organized home? I know I do especially as an Interior designer! I feel like there is pressure on me to have a perfectly designed home, and if you read my post, My Big Interior Design Confession, you know my home is far from perfect. My home is a work in progress which yours may be as well.
Why?
Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves? Is it because we won’t find happiness until our home looks like the homes in the decorating magazines? Or do we think if we don’t have this “perfect” home when people come over they are going to judge us because things aren’t put away and organized, ready for the perfect picture?
Whatever the reasoning is for you, I believe this pressure is unwarranted and needs to stop. Perfection is not possible nor does it guarantee a beautiful home. I believe when we are striving for perfection all the time we are missing out what is truly important in life…living in the moment and rejoicing in the imperfection of life.
Creating a Real-Life Home: Imperfection is Good
Instead of shooting to decorate a perfect home I challenge you to rejoice in imperfection and strive to create a real-life home. Those homes in magazines are not reality, they are real homes, but the way they look is not reality for most people, which I say is ok. Most of those home may have been a disaster hours before the photo shoot and then were quickly staged for the perfect shot for the magazine cover. This is kind of like airbrushing for homes.
What Does a Real-Life Home Look Like?
Real-Life homes are beautiful too. You probably already live in a real-life home…I know I do. Creating a real-life home is all about embracing the imperfection of life. Real-life homes often have areas that are disorganized and messy at times, and that is okay.
These perfect homes in magazines and on television that make us feel bad if our home doesn’t like them, don’t looked lived in. If someone came into one of these homes they may find them pleasing to the eye, but would know anything about the people who call that place home? …probably not.
Real-life homes tell a story. They are meaningful and have more life than the staged photos in a magazine. When someone walks into my home I don’t care if things aren’t perfectly decorated and organized. I want them to notice the meaningful things that show that we love each other…such as the toys or art supplies strewn around the house because that means we are having fun together.
Permission to be Imperfect
Life is too short to sweat the little imperfections in life. Give yourself permission to enjoy and live life in the moment whether things are perfect or not.
Stop thinking people are going to judge you because your home is not perfectly decorated. There are bigger things to be worried about than making sure all your home furnishings are perfectly placed and that your home matches the latest design trends.
Home decorating is a journey and a process that takes time to complete. Make your journey a meaningful one that rejoices in imperfections because it is those imperfect details that make your home unique and special to you and your family.
Related Posts:
The Beauty of Simple Decorating For Your Home
Why Frugal Home Decorating is My Passion
26 Common Items to Repurpose as Home Decor
