I don’t have much “free” time, but when I do, I love to curl up with one of my favorite magazines. But I only seem to be able to enjoy it after the kitchen is cleaned, living room straightened, candle burning (to cover up dinner smells) and comfy clothes on. At that point, however, the last thing I want to do is bury my head in paper. I would much rather soak up the few, brief moments of order before the chaos ensues (i.e. hubby deciding on a whim to do the taxes = paper strewn EVERYWHERE). I am a former perfectionist. And, I wonder if I will ever be one again.
Living in today’s world means a number of things. For me it’s loving God, nourishing my marriage, inspiring my daughter and having a meaningful career. For you, it may be something totally different. Regardless, we, as women, have been created with the innate ability to “support.” Whether it’s our household, family, job–you name it, and we somehow find the strength to endure it. It brings to mind the image of a tree trunk–perfectly equipped to hold up its leafy, strong branches with grace.
When I look for inspiration from the world around me, I find myself continually drawn to the unblemished pages of Martha Stewart Living or Real Simple, the “everything resolved in thirty-minutes” shows on HGTV, or to the Web where countless sites of people striving for perfection can be found. It’s seemingly everywhere! And yet, somehow I never feel inspired–just guilty about the pile of dishes in the sink and the unfolded laundry on the chair. I used to define myself by the house I kept and the work I produced, but marriage and motherhood has thrown me into a sphere of existence that has caused me to redefine perfection.
That’s why I came up with this concept: a site dedicated to anyone out there who just wants to enjoy the home they have been gifted, the family they love and the career they cherish–blemishes and all. A place where women of all backgrounds and life journeys can share ideas and help support one another in the seemingly mundane endeavors of daily life. A new way of living, inspiring and exhaling–by fully realizing domestic ease.
