Happy Friday! Today I am going to stray a bit from home decor, design, and DIY, and just write from the heart a bit about something that has been on my mind lately. It’s about to get deep over here, but don’t worry, it’s not at all dark and dismal or any other dastardly “d” adjectives you can think of. This post has been forming in my head over the last few weeks, and yesterday I read a post that made me think I should share. Carrie, who is an insanely creative and stylish writer, designer, and DIY-er wrote about something we all struggle with in this day of social media where pretty images are everywhere, inspiring us, but also making us question ourselves. (If you haven’t yet, you must read her post!).
Before we moved here, I used to take custom orders on furniture pieces. I would sometimes receive emails such as, “I love this piece you did, and I would love it if you can paint my dresser exactly like it.” I would explain to the customer that no two pieces of furniture (especially vintage) were exactly alike, and I would do my best to recreate a similar look, but that it would not be exact. Each piece of furniture had its own quirks, dings, and markings that made it totally unique, earned during its many years on earth.
After we moved, I decided that custom orders stressed me out too much and I moved away from doing them. They also took away the creativity, and there was no room for the piece of furniture to speak to me and tell me what it wanted to become. (And yes, some of you may think I am a little crazy after that statement, and I am OK with that!) Letting go of custom orders allowed me to tap into my creativity more, and also let each piece of furniture be my guide, rather than me forcing it towards a look that might not be right. So now, 3.5 years later, I am still making over furniture, but I am letting it speak to me and guide my brush.
I think that furniture transformations are just like our life’s journey in that respect. No two are alike, and what works for one, may not work for another.
I feel discouraged when I allow comparison to enter my mind and take over. In these small glimpses of lives on blogs and social media, it’s easy to see only the beautiful images and feel like you just don’t compare, and the great things that are happening to others aren’t happening for you. But then I ask myself if I am doing the best that I can. I am on my own journey, juggling motherhood, blogging, and owning what is becoming a successful vintage shop. All I can do each day is the best I can, embracing all that I have, and appreciating all of the things that make my journey my journey and no one else’s. I accept that my path may meander, and I may come to some points later than others, but I also acknowledge that no one else has ever taken the same exact path that I am taking. It’s all mine.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography, 2013
And you know what? I do not want to miss a second. If I am always looking to see what others are doing, I will miss what is right in front of me. So the best thing I can do is to continue moving forward, arms open to gratefully accept my journey. Do me a favor, and don’t miss out on yours.
Sidenote: I started a new hashtag a couple weeks ago. Every Wednesday I invite you to share a real life glimpse of your home and use #weliveherewednesday . Life is more than just pretty pictures…. it’s also about the messy moments we make while really living it, and really embracing our journey! I want to see yours!
