LET'S CHAT HONESTLY....
I think as a blogger we're so sucked into everyday life being placed on social media in the most perfect and pristine way. It's all about the perfect instagram photo and the weekly manicures and now the snapchats of "daily life" that are also, mostly staged. I too have fallen into the well lit photos and the moments of only sharing what's perfect and pretty but lately, I'm so drawn to being real. What a concept! This doesn't come from a hateful or bashing way but in a sense that I want the people following me and keeping up to date with my life and kids to feel inspired because I live a normal life.
I'm up at 6am with a baby, getting a 9 year old off to school, hitting the gym and then not even getting ready for the day sometimes until 2pm IF I even get ready for the day. If we're being honest, I tend to get blinded by a needy baby and client emails that half the time, I'm a smelly mess until the kids are asleep for the night. So realistically, I don't have time to stage a great photo or share peeks of blogging details because shit, I'm busy being a mom and business woman. Truthfully, there is a day in a week that I can manage to get ready and enjoy a Starbucks or even a lunch out with a friend but guys, that's a rare occasion.
The intent of this post has everything to do with our new home. I'm so enamored with the lovely pinterest kitchens and home decor and find myself in this season of life lusting over everything that's trendy and EXPENSIVE. K, we don't have a money tree in our yard... or world so the things I see and pin and would die to have in our new home just.can't.happen. That's the reality of it and that's something I've had a hard time swallowing when Andrew and I have house talks - which is daily now - about what we can and can't afford. Are upgraded countertops throughout the house a must? No. Do we need to do custom flooring right when we close? Not at all. How about the 6 inch crown moulding and baseboards? Nope. We can't afford it and that's okay.
We're 25 and 27 with two kids and just getting into our dream home after our starter home. We really don't even need the space this new home offers but we're blessed to be able to afford that. We are lucky to have the ability to have kids with their own rooms, a guest room, an office and heck- a 4 car garage. But cosmetically, it's going to be a journey over time making it perfect for us.
Being in this world of "perfect" makes me want want want and it's not healthy. It's outrageous I now have expectations of a $40,000 kitchen because she has it. I mean, snap out of it. I'm excited to be sharing this home journey with you guys but please know, if you're expecting the most perfect home when we move in come August, you won't be seeing that. It's going to be real and down and dirty for a while so we can simply adjust and embrace the new blessing of our dream home.
Imagine about 50 of the clapping emojis right here! Love your realness.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so honest. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling the EXACT same way lately. Thank you for posting :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes me love you even more! I'm often amazed by how much you seem to have it figured out with a new baby and life in General on your Instagram. But you being real, that makes it even better! Can't wait to see your new house and I bet it'll be perfect because it'll be a home (and your great decorating sense 😉.)
ReplyDeleteLove this post! I always read your blog, but never comment. I really appreciate you being honest, I to am a mother of two young children and I'm always reminding myself not to focus on the material things, but on the simple joys life brings us everyday. P.S. I have a daughter who is a month younger than yours...little Miss Lyla :)
ReplyDeletePreach girl!
ReplyDeleteI love how real and honest this post was! There is always a comparison of expectations vs reality and it makes me so happy to follow and get to know the real you, we all get caught up with perfection and life is just not so perfect all the time!
ReplyDeleteGirlfriend!!! You and me have the same exact mind frame!!! I'm learning to accept my awkward fireplace, my tiled kitchen my hideous backsplash color and non white cabinets.. Until the day comes when we can afford fixing those hahah one thing at a time and I've realized I will never have the homes I pin on Pinterest bc it's just not the style of our house.. Here's to accepting reality ;) :) much love!!
ReplyDeleteLove this. So much And as much as I love all the pretty pictures, I want to see realness on my Instagram feed. I want to see the messy hair and messy houses and messy kids and REAL LIFE, because that's when you get to know someone's heart for real. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove this honest post. I've been seeing the same trend lately as well, and it seems that anything that's lit well (hello afternoon light), and is pink, plush or gold are the top Instagram photos. Which, those photos are so lovely and inspiring, but seeing them fill up your feed starts to get away from the 'inspiring' part and into the 'why can't my photos turn out like that?' which can definitely start to make your Instagram moral go down - ha! Anyways, I love the pretty posts, but I love the real posts so much more. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThis is real and this is true. I constantly find myself battling my "wants" vs my
ReplyDelete"needs." It's a great tool to remain humble and bless the men or women in our lives that can pull us back to reality! Just remember rewarding yourself with in your means is acceptable. Soon enough, slowly but surely, you and your family will turn this dream home into your family vision. :)
LOOOOOVE! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeletePreach. I am amazed at the effect social media has on women - so much positive but so much negative too - I am hoping many more come to this realization you discuss because I feel people would feel liberated, wild & free. Keep up with yourself and compete only with yourself and that's it. Live YOUR life. & regardless of not having a 40K kitchen, it will be perfect in every single way!
ReplyDeleteLove this!! To "keep up" in the blogging world, you often feel like every photo, outfit, day has to be perfect. But you're right - that's not reality. Love the honesty and realness of this post!! XO -Anna
ReplyDeletewww.parkavenueblog.
Love, love, love this! We are in the middle of remodeling our kitchen and I've really had to limit looking at Pinterest and Houzz because before you know, you want more. I want to be content with a $10k and not desire a $50k one!
ReplyDeleteI love this !! My husband & I are building a new home right now too, so I know exactly what you mean. Pinterest kind of puts blinders on us that is for sure. Before we went to our design center appointment I knew exactly what I wanted... but my whole plan came to a halt when I realized I too do not have amoney tree. I cannot wait to follow along with your building process & I am sure whatever you choose will look amazing !!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this. I was just talking with co-workers about this the other day. It's not about perfection, it's about authenticity and I think you provide that VERY VERY well on your blog! Well done. Say no to that shit!
ReplyDeleteGreat post girly and I totally understand where you are coming from. We were fortunate enough to build a new home too, but you won't see granite or fancy baseboards and tile because we got the bare minimal in our house. It was just too pricey and we know down the the road we would eventually upgrade ourselves and it would ultimately be cheaper. Time flies and we are slowly starting those upgrades and I'm so glad we were kinda forced to take our time because opinions sure do change and it made us really think about how we want things. :) A new home is an amazing achievement and I'm so happy and excited for you guys!
ReplyDeleteLove this post and your honesty! It's so refreshing to see. I think we all get caught up in the "want" world and comparing ourselves to others when we need to be looking at all the blessings we do have in our lives.
ReplyDeleteThis made me so happy to read, I love realness. I'm sorry it's been so stressful, you are doing amazing. If you ever want to take a break and I can help in any way, coffee time, walk, or watch Emery, let me know! Oh, and no matter what ,your house is going to be ADORABLE! Everything you do , you make it that way! It's all about being cozy, happy, and real!!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think we all get caught up in wanting the perfect picture, post, blog, etc. but I think we ultimately have to think back to why we started this. Congrats on your new home! I'm sure it will be amazing no matter what you decide to do with it. I appreciate your blog post because of their realness and also for showing that all blogs aren't the same.
ReplyDeleteLove this post and adore you!
ReplyDeleteLove this post - I needed to read this today!
ReplyDeletewww.lifeofmeg.com