Last night the girls and I watched the movie "Miss Potter" and thought it was delightful! Like all of my favorite movies (Anne of Green Gables, Sense and Sensibility, etc.) the scenery in this movie is breathtaking. The decorations inside and the landscaping and gardens outside are perfectly charming. When I was a young teenager and started making plans for what I eventually wanted in my home, all of my expectations centered around creating a home like those I saw in the movies. I wanted things to be nothing less than picture perfect. Well, now I have my own home and am having to face the reality of what it really takes to create that kind of environment. I have spent considerable time decorating and maintaining our house and yard and am still no where close to having things picture perfect. Of course I also realize that I do not have a Hollywood budget or a full-time staff to assist me. But, I still struggle with the desire to live in the kind of homes I see in my favorite movies. I get frustrated at my limitations, both in money and talent, that prevent me from realizing that dream. I feel like if I could work a little harder or spend a little more I could make my current home (which
is nice and comfortable) more like what I ultimately desire. Or, maybe I should just give up that dream as an illusion and focus on more important things. What do you think??
7 comments:
I think that you should document your achievements rather than focus on your desires. If you write a to-do list, it is easy to focus on an impossibly long tasks, that grows out of control. Instead consider what you have accomplished, either on a given day or in a goal category. For example, my yard has weeds and dead spots of grass- every year no matter what. But when I list what we have built, created, adjusted, changed, etc, I'm excited about my reasonable accomplishments in a reasonable time or I can better focus my efforts where my goals lie to align my vision with my reality. But mostly, happiness is enjoying what you have and what you are.
Thanks for the advice. I think part of my problem is we haven't made any material improvements to our home in about 3 years, so instead of feeling like I am progressing I am just fighting the law of entropy. That said, I do want to make it clear that I am very thankful for my home. It is a comfortable and happy place for my family and I appreciate its beauty and atmosphere. I think most of my frustration is in my inability to harmonize my ideal with reality.
Jessi, your house is beautifully decorated...in YOUR style. It is a HOME and so different in what I see in other friends' houses. I walk on your front porch and think it is just gorgeous. You have done sooooo much!
I remember how they did movies in my old neighborhood alot. The movie pictures were far more perfect than the reality so it's important to not compare. Also, no matter how georgious we make our home and surroundings. We get used to them so they aren't as interesting as time goes by.Don't give up the dream just be realistic with expectations that I know you are.
My problem is that I don't care. I know I should, but the visual part of my brain gets dominated by the logical. I like pretty things, but know that I have no idea what would make things pretty. Luckily my mom is just the opposite or my decorating style would be defined as sterile. White walls with nothing on them. Poor Dale. On the other hand I am amazing at Math. I'll take what I can get. I have to tell you that your pumpkin picture was so cool. I tried to copy it. Thanks for the idea.
I do think your home is picture perfect! It must be what Elaine said--when you're around it all the time, it's not as exciting.
I get frustrated all the time with my limitations on money and time. Especially talent. I have good friends that have plenty of talent that help me out. But the picture I've seen of your house. It looks beautiful! I do at times spend a little too much time flipping through the pottery barn magazine and could be spending my time with more important things for sure.
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