As I am sitting down in my new family room getting ready to put together this post, I am looking around laughing.
A beautiful life?
We have boxes everywhere. Nothing is set where it belongs. We have black garbage bags hanging from blue painters tape at some of the windows. Beautiful?
Today it really hit me, moving is a ton of work. Messy work. Expensive work. While I’d love to spend the whole day unpacking boxes of pretty things to set out, the reality is that I spend most of my day dumping random things out of boxes that have no home yet (thus, the look of our kitchen tonight), or I spend hours on the phone trying to set up garbage service or mail service. Or writing big checks for things like a washer and dryer or little checks for things as glamorous as a plunger.
Life right now is just not pretty to look at. It is messy. But that is OK. Because living a beautiful life isn’t about everything being all perfect or pretty. It is about embracing where I am right now.
This month is all about balance. Am I making progress towards my goals?
Here is my plan for the next week. I am going to print out my list of goal words and tape them up in my bathroom. Every morning as I am getting ready I will see it and remind myself what is important to me. I will post another list somewhere in my kitchen that I will see later in the day.
It is helpful to me to see those 12 words during the day, so I can’t wait to see them posted. Seeing my list gives me permission to be authentic and to be happy with where I am in life. It relieves the pressure to do it all, to be awesome, or do more than is possible at this time. And it gives me some focus and direction on what to strive for.
Here are the kinds of things I think about when I look at my goals:
- Ambience is a goal because I enjoy finding beauty in living, so having a candle lit or a lamp glowing, or turning the fireplace on can make me happy and I can focus on that, rather than being stressed by the mess everywhere. If I start stressing about all the work to be done, I can go start the fireplace and focus on the ambience I CAN create (amidst the chaos). I can be thankful for the fireplace.
- Hospitality is important to me so I need to start planning to invite new friends over in the next few weeks, in spite of the disarray. It will make me feel more balanced to invite people over than it will putting it off until things are perfectly set up. It also motivates me to unpack faster!
- Financial freedom is important to me so if I have to live with garbage bag curtains for the time being, that is OK — I take my eyes off the garbage bags and remind myself that they are the financially responsible choice right now so who cares if I’m tacky. I’m KLASSY! Yeah. I won’t keep them up for long, I promise. I’ll find SOMETHING prettier.
- Healthy living is important to me so even getting on my exercise bike for 10 minutes can make me feel better about my life. Little bits of progress on my goal to reduce glaring evidence of blogging butt makes me feel more balanced. I put my bike where it is easy for me to use it and near a TV so I can watch the Today show while I ride. I set it up so I can be more successful.
- Family is important to me so if I am spending too much time fixing up the house or working and feel I have no time to play a game with my son, I feel rotten. Seeing the word FAMILY reminds me to do something special for my family. Even something small like setting a table instead of sitting around in various places of the house will make me feel like I am a good mom.
As I make little attempts to cover the goals I have, I really start to feel like I am more on top of things life is good. Beautiful even. Because I have defined a beautiful life to be something I can achieve and feel good about.
Yes, these photos are of my new kitchen and family room…just as they look right now as I am blogging. Not staged, not fluffed, just real!
How about you? Have you set any goals or made any progress this week towards the life YOU want? Feel free to share how things are going in the comments, or link up a post. I’d love to see how you are doing and I know others would be encouraged and inspired to be a part of your journey!
Mr. Linky rules:
- You may link up any post specifically about how you are finding a beautiful authentic life and how you are working your goals into every day living at home.
- Please link back from your post to The Inspired Room so others can find out what we are doing and join in. Feel free to use the A Beautiful Life image (above) to link back, if you want to (not required!).
- Please do not put links on Mr. Linky to your home page, unrelated posts or sales websites. Those links will be removed.
- You may share a posts on this topic each week, so jump in any time or participate every week!
Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
Thanks so much for hosting this weekly party! I just know this is going to help me reach my goals!
Melissa
I haven’t been around in a bit–trying to live that authentic life! I think I needed to hit the 40s to realize it is OK for everything not to be perfect adn OK…because it really never ever is! Enjoy your new home and the memories you create there!
Taras inspiring blog post..Winter Sleepy
I love your idea of these Friday links. My home is also in massive disarray as my son moved back home before he planned to. So we are redoing his kid bedroom for a 21 year old college student who decided it is more prudent to save money than spend it on rent. (Hurray for life lessons) Your home looks beautiful even in transition and I know that it will become a dream home for your family. I don’t know how you find time to post. Oh well, slow and easy wins the race, right? (Hard words to live by but what are ya gonna do?) Hang in there, Pam
Pams inspiring blog post..Just Checking In, Mindy’s Giveaway
Melissa,
Thank you for showing us that we can find a bit of beauty even in the midst of chaos. The sneak peeks of your new home show some pretty rooms. I am anxious to see how you incorporate them into your beautiful life!
Miss Sandys inspiring blog post..A Beautiful Life…..
Moving IS hard work. and it is is long time of hard work. I’ve been in my new house for one year and just got curtainsin bedroom- but rest of house still has naked windows! It takes a while…. but you have a good attitude and its exciting to isocver new places you love in your new home.
bobbies inspiring blog post..What I been doing in the kitchen lately
Thanks for fixing up my Mr Linky entry – like you had nothing better to do?! I hope your energy and enthusiasm levels remain high during this very demanding stage of your move. Wishing you all the best.
Merediths inspiring blog post..Kids in the Kitchen
Hi Melissa!
I’m Italian and I love your blog that I read every day. Thank you for your very inspiriting posts. My focus word for January is not very important as yours. It’s NAILS: I eat my nails from when I was child. And I start the new year with this goal. I hope so!
Your new house is very beautiful, also in the chaos.
Have fun!
carmens inspiring blog post..Anno nuovo…
I have been scouting out the real estate listings for years, looking for a house on the other side of town. I tend to glamorize the idea of moving, thinking of it as a great opportunity to clear out and declutter. Then I read a post like this! It is such hard work. I think the end results are wonderful; a fresh start, a new perspective (literally, since you are in a new place), but the amount of work to get from point A to point B (not to mention the amount of money) is quite overwhelming.
Hope you have a productive weekend!
Things That Inspires inspiring blog post..French Inspired Houses (aka, My Dream Home 2009)
Thanks for hosting A Beautiful Life I find it to be a great idea. This way your are helping me to stay focused and motivated to fulfill all my goals. I think this year will be so much fun and filled with so much beauty.
Suzys inspiring blog post..A Beutiful Life Friday
Honey, having a beautiful life can be had even if you live in a box with no address for mail. From what I see of your blog, you have a beautiful life right now, right where you sit. You have a home. You have a family. You are not hungry. You love and you are loved. Our economy what it is at this moment in time is reminding me that I have a beautiful life without lifting a finger. I have healthy children, beautiful grandchildren, a warm home, food to eat and your blog, to inspire me!
Good luck the the unpacking. If you are anything like me, you’ll think you’re finished and then you’ll be in bed, lights off and something will pop into your head that you just “know” you need to do.
Mimis inspiring blog post..HOOKED ON HOUSES and HOOKED ON BLOGS!
I’m so glad that you are getting settled in. I’ve been thinking of you and your family this past week! I love the pictures of your home. It looks just beautiful–even with all the evidence of the move in progress. Thanks for the reminder of what it means to truly have a beautiful life! I look forward to glancing through the links.
Kristens inspiring blog post..Perfect Timing
We are just curious about your site that’s been always in the top 10 of active sites on CommentLuv. We are impressed with the kind of community you have here. Great discussion on each article and a great blog too.
Yan
I need to join you in this process — to keep me from losing interest along about April! Thank you.
Rita
Ritas inspiring blog post..I bet you didn’t know . . .
Living a beautiful life for me is trying to strike a balance with the areas of life that are important to me. If I focus to much on one area, such as “kids/family”, and skip over “health”, I don’t feel like I am living my best life. In the midst of your very busy situation, try to keep a balance in all areas of your life…don’t skip the important stuff.
Shawn Stratmanns inspiring blog post..Gramma’s Quilting
Melissa, thank you so much for being very real in your posts. I love how you’ve included us as you’ve moved to a new state, showing us how it’s really going. I’m looking foward to working on my beautiful life this year, remembering what’s truly important.
I love the redefining and keeeping it real attitude- that is my mantra this year. So I am starting with a comfy bedroom…and we are working on that room now. I also am finishing my master’s- 9 credits to go- I stopped 6 years ago when I got separated from my husband. Well, since the self help books keep stacking up, my business partner pushed me on, saying it’s time for ACTION! And I think that is the most imprtnat part of the process.
Thank YOU for sharing your journey. I’m walking right beside you!
Anita
Anitas inspiring blog post..Master bedroom work
Your new home is beautiful.
I love your list and will work on a blog with this theme tomorrow.
Mavens inspiring blog post..Thoughts on a Saturday Morning
I am praying for you as you settle into your home. We have moved so much that I am close to getting it down to a science. I wish you were close to Chicagoland so I could come over with some coffee and Belgian chocolates to help.
I love that as you are showing balance in your life, you are willing to be real and let the rest of us remember what our homes look like during a move. Yes, you could have everything decorated, hung and sparkling. But, would you also be able to give your children the time they need, fix meals for your family, be available for God to bring friends into your life?
Praying for God to bless your family and multiply your joy.
Amanda
I just came across your website…very inspiring!
Charitys inspiring blog post..Quadruple-Dog Dare
What a wonderful way to include your readers. Best of luck in your new home.
Savorys inspiring blog post..A Beautiful Life
I was doing a little blog surfing and came across your wonderful site!
I DO feel your pain! We’re very close to finishing a major home addition, and the transition between the old and new part is taking a little longer than we’d anticipated. (I’m beginning to think that “painter’s tape blue” is a pretty color. Or maybe I’m just getting a little too comfortable with it hanging around the window trim. )
There’s nothing like setting a few goals to give you some direction and encouragement! There is indeed some light at the end of the tunnel!
I’ll be praying for you and I wish you good luck in your unpacking. Try to keep it FUN!
Twitter: melissalewis
says:
Melissa, your new home looks wonderful. I cannot wait to see what it looks like after you have put your authentic spin on it. Thanks for sharing these photo’s, just as they were! This was a very inspiring post. I agree that a balanced life doesn’t have to be perfect or pretty. Thank goodness too, or I would be in so much trouble:)
Congratulations Melissa. Your new home looks great, especially the color combinations. Good interior design. Thanks for sharing.
-Mini
Hi Melissa,
I don’t know if anybody mentioned it yet, I haven’t read the whole post yet and I have to get the kids up now. But when I read the part about your trash bags, I had to tell you about the paper blinds at Home Depot and Lowes. Hubby and I used those when we moved in at the front of the house and sheets where nobody could see. The paper blinds are dirt cheap and from the street they look just fine. Does that help any? Well, I had to mention it. Be back later to read more. School doesn’t wait for my blog fixes.
Jennifer@Southern Charms inspiring blog post..New Year Inspiration
Thanks for the inspiration on balance and beauty! I’ve been posting some thoughts and plans along those lines this past week…and hopefully by Friday I’ll have my “monthly goal words” selected so I can link up.
I’m really enjoying perusing your blog!
Jennifers inspiring blog post..Simple Woman’s Daybook~Vacation Day
Lovely inspiration…thanks for sharing! As for moving…I actually enjoy it (have moved 3 times in the past 11 years). Nothing like a whole new floor plan to inspire creative design! Enjoy, despite the incoveniences! And be sure to take lots of B&A shots!
Susan J Smiths inspiring blog post..I’m Hooked!
Your home is beautiful. Moving is exhausting. Remember to take breaks!
Balance is something we all crave…
V.s inspiring blog post..On Living With Balance