Searching For Simplicity

For the last three weeks our house has been in construction mode. It's amazing how one little project can grow in the blink of an eye.

We decided to replace our well-worn, 28 year-old carpet in the living room and my office. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, that's where "easy" comes to a screeching halt.

Since we were going to be replacing the carpet, we decided to scrape the "popcorn" texture off our vaulted ceilings. So, we thought that we may as well repaint the room. Well, the old out-dated white ceiling fan should probably be replaced with a more up-to-date one, right? Of course.

The even bigger problem came with where to put all the furniture that came from those two rooms. We moved the sofa to the family room, the love seat to a bedroom, and my desk to the kitchen in front of the island.

You know what? When you're living in chaos, it affects all areas of your life whether you realize it or not. It's made it difficult to find anything or to sit at the kitchen table to eat a meal. The family room is crowded with two sofas, so it's hard to get around. Every area of our home has been affected.

It's so easy to accumulate things not realizing that they can steal your peace and joy. They can actually make more work for you, too. I plan on getting rid of some of the things that we no longer need or use. Things aren't what make a home. The people are.

Hopefully, next week, we'll have our new carpet in, the house put back in order. But, it's taught me a few lessons and given me much food for thought.

I'm realizing that I like simplicity more than I thought. The sofa doesn't have to have 2 - 4 pillows and a throw. I don't have to display every gift I've ever received. I think that I may have found my new normal.

What's your style? Do you like your living spaces filled with lots of personal touches or keep it more plain? There's no right answer. It just has to fit you and the way you live.

No matter your style, live your life with lots of love and laughter.