Quieting Home Discontent: Part 1
I have a deeply confusing love/hate relationship with my cottage. I love this old place: the tongue-and-groove woodwork, the creaky floors, the lake views. But no matter how much progress we make here, I am prone to seasons of discontent.
For me, discontent tends to creep up when I’m discouraged about our lack of pace in project progress, our inability to afford to tackle certain projects, or feeling like I don’t have the “right” or “perfect” piece to finish off a space. Sometimes it’s triggered by social media or home magazines. When that happens, I take intentional breaks from those spaces. Lately, it’s because COVID-19 has kept me home, surrounded by unfinished projects and spaces that seem to take delight in taunting me.
I’ve had to actively fight against the disconnect. We’ve tried to refrain from spending lots of money in these uncertain times, so I’ve found myself coming back to a list of actions that quiet the discontent for little to no money.
- Clean — I choose a corner or room of the house and scrub until it shines. I look at this as being a good steward of what I’ve been given. I can always find happiness or peace in a clean room, no matter how “unfinished” it is.
- Light a candle — Like cleaning, a delightful-smelling room immediately quiets me. I’ve been known to have candles simultaneously burning in all rooms of the house.
- Buy a houseplant — I’m finding houseplants bring not just beauty but connection to a room. The act of caring for a houseplant, another living thing sharing your space, gives me something in which to throw my focus. Does it need more or less sun? More or less water? And they’re relatively inexpensive should your experiment go south (I usually shy away from plants that are more than $8 unless I’m feeling really brave). I pair my houseplants with thrifted planters for an extra fun touch.
Next week, I’ll share a few more ways I’m quieting the discontent for little to no money this summer. Stay tuned!
Cheers from the cottage,
Colleen
