When I was younger, I had a crystal-clear vision of what my dream home would look like. I pictured a backyard where my future kids could play games, a bright kitchen with a large rustic table for arts and homework, all adorned in a charming shabby chic style reminiscent of a Pottery Barn catalog. It was going to be magical.
Well, two out of three isn’t too shabby! We have the yard and the kitchen table, but the decor? Let’s just say it reflects more of a “We Have Kids and Dogs, So This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” vibe. Most of the time, I’m totally okay with this.
I’ve come to terms with the chipped paint and crayon marks on the wall, the scuffed-up floors, and the random baseball cards strewn about. I embrace the mess because, despite the chaos, our home is warm and inviting. Honestly, I have way too many other things to stress about than my questionable decorating skills or constantly reminding my kids to be careful around my few seasonal decorations.
It’s tough enough to remind my kids a hundred times a day to brush their teeth and toss their dirty clothes into the laundry chute that’s literally right outside their bedroom door. I simply don’t have the energy to care about whether the hand towels in my non-existent guest bathroom are perfectly folded.
However, I’ll admit that sometimes I get a little green-eyed envy after scrolling through social media. I’ll convince myself that my home is a disaster and that the only solution is to move or perhaps burn it down. But let’s be real: Facebook is a total facade, and Instagram? Don’t even get me started. Pinterest? The absolute worst.
No one’s home looks like the glossy photos in magazines, and honestly, most of what you see on social media is staged to some degree. Sure, there are a few parents out there who seem to have mastered the art of a picture-perfect home, but let’s be honest — that’s the exception, not the norm.
Right now, as I type this, my “desk” is a scratched kitchen table cluttered with old art projects, a granola bar wrapper, and a random assortment of pens. When I look into the family room, I see crooked pictures on the wall, and yes, even a magazine cutout of a baseball player taped over a family portrait. (Yes, you read that right.) And if anyone asks about the jackass taped to the wall (and yes, it is a donkey), I just shrug.
You know what? I don’t care. Well, that’s not entirely true. I do care a little when I compare my lived-in home to those pristine, museum-like spaces I see online. But honestly, I’m not going to spend my day cleaning after my family or shelling out money to make my home look fancy.
Do you really want to be the person nagging everyone about coasters and coloring within the lines? Would you rather invest in beautiful furniture that you’ll be worried about ruining, or keep that cozy old couch that you can just shrug off when your nephew spills juice on it? Do you want a place where people feel anxious about making a mess or one where they can relax and just be themselves?
Here’s the truth: a family lives here, and families are wonderfully messy. Everyone has their limits for what’s considered a lived-in vs. a disaster zone. For me, it’s clutter — too much stuff makes me feel stressed. So, I try to keep toys and knickknacks to a minimum. But for some, cleaning can be a therapeutic experience, and there are those who genuinely love decorating. You do you!
If your home looks a bit chaotic or your kids’ rooms resemble a tornado aftermath, or if your closets are bursting at the seams—take a deep breath. It’s completely fine. Most of us, at one point or another, feel like our homes are disasters, even the so-called minimalists and clean freaks. We all deal with crayon marks, chipped paint, and endless Lego cleanup.
We hide our messes in closets and drawers, giving the illusion of tidiness because that’s just life. This is reality. This is normal. This is home. So, invite people over and stop stressing! You’re doing great.
And if you’re considering starting a family, check out the resources at Make A Mom or join the Make A Mom Facebook group for support. You can explore their at-home insemination options, including the Cryobaby kit, which offers a reusable option. Want to learn more about how it works? Head to this link for a detailed guide. And for those interested in an artificial insemination kit, check out the BabyMaker kit. For comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent resource.
In summary, your home doesn’t need to be perfect. Everyone is navigating the messiness of life, so embrace your unique space, and remember that you’re not alone in this journey!
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