Defining Success for Yourself: A January Pep Talk

If you hang out ’round here, then you’ve probably made some goals for your home this year. We’re so proud! Identifying your home’s weak spots and outlining a plan to remedy them is the surest way to get your design to where you want it to be. Now, the real key to success: slow down for one second and consider exactly why you’ve chosen the goals that you have.

We show you lots of pretty pictures all year long, not to overwhelm but to inspire. But remember, just because something is working for the homes in the photos (which, let’s get real, are sometimes staged, perfected ideals of an actual human’s house) doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you.

Maybe you love the look of beautiful, all-white glossy kitchens but you have a toddler who loves to throw spaghetti. Think again! Perhaps you’re dying for an expensive make-the-room shag rug but you don’t exactly have the time or inclination to carefully vacuum your dog’s hair out of that sucker on the regular. Don’t set yourself up for failure.

We absolutely encourage you to try new things and take risks, but also to be realistic about what is do-able in your own life. It’s no fun to get really excited about an idea only to get frustrated when it turns out to be a disaster. You can prevent so much of that anguish by just getting really honest with yourself. Forget all those outside voices trying to tell you want you want or should want. YOU know better.

I don’t know you at all but I do think this: if you’re working towards a goal that you think you should be trying for, or you’re listening to what someone else thinks is best for you, then when you do reach that goal, it will only feel empty and dissatisfying. Do you want to put your time, energy and money into turning your space into something that is perfect for someone else? Of course you don’t!

Be brave but also be smart and you’ll have a great year at home. We promise.