Reclaiming The Home

Big News!

Here at Reclaiming the Home big things have been going on behind the scenes.  The needles have been knitting, the sewing machine has been sewing, and bits of craftiness are showing up everywhere around the house, here and there.  Because of my cold, the only cooking that has gone on was done by the infamous Mr. Rose with some buffalo cheese dip that he was quite proud of.  I'll have to ask him for the recipe so that I can share it soon!

The big news though, comes in the form of the new public Reclaiming The Home forum! 

My goal for the forum is to be a community of people who care about their homes and the gentle home arts.  There will be tutorials, resources, and information that will help us all to learn to be better Reclaimers, while providing incentive and motivational games in a fun atmosphere where we share our love of the home with one another. 

It is a place of friendship that welcomes people from all walks of life, where we all get to be ourselves, get to know one other better, support each other, and share our joys as well as our sorrows.  You don't have to be a mother, a wife, or stay at home to enjoy homemaking.

I know you will find real community here, grow friendships, build each other up, learn new things, and just enjoy hanging out at the forum.

If you have a moment, stop on by and take a look. There is so much to be found there and so much more to come, including a big surprise event for all of the forum members that will begin within the week! 

This idea has been in the works for some time, and I am so pleased to say, has finally come to fruition.  So many people were involved in its creation.  A big thank you to Caitlin, Pam, Diane, Audrey, Rachel, Robyn, Danna, and SO many more lovely women who helped to make this part of my dream a reality!

Throw out the bar.

First off.... an apology for having so many photo-less posts.  I have a new computer now, and so I can FINALLY start adding photos again.  Next post.  Honest.  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Over the holidays I had a chat with my mom about the standards that society sets for us and our homes.  We talked about the role models that we are given.... the extremes one way or the other.... the feeling of inadequacy if we don't have the cleanest, the cutest, the best designed homes. 

Are we really all living in a "What Not To Wear" society that is truly THAT judgmental about the way we make our own homes?  I have to just question, WHY?

Why are we taught that things have to be exactly _____ to be acceptable or nice?  Why do we care what others do with their homes?  Why do we care what others think of our own homes?

Where we live... where we make our homes... that is our sanctuary.  It is our place to find security, comfort, solace, and just to be.  It is our little slice of the pie.  Our world.  Our space.  And frankly... its ours to do what we want with.

I love a cozy lived in feeling in my home.  Its not always organized, and is almost never "spotless."  Its not perfectly decorated, even after 4 years living here.   

I have found myself always setting the bar a little higher.  "If only I could get the living room painted... then my house would feel more complete, and put together." ..... "I need to complete this list of chores, and then my house will be company-ready" .... "My couches are comfortable and I like them but they are kindof outdated.  Maybe I should get new ones."

Having this conversation with my mother really helped me to understand that a lot of the standards I set for myself are influenced by society's norms and the accompanying unreasonable expectations.  I want my home to be sanitary (not perfect... just not gross).  I want my decor to reflect me... not the perfect fung shui, designers challenge, trading spaces decor...but me.  I want my home to be a place that suits me and my family, and I want it to reflect our needs and wants for the space.  If that means clutter for you, then clutter away my dears.  If that means minimalism and white everything - then you have my blessing.

Ignore the standard that is set so high we can never reach it.  Set aside the bar that is placed so high by the pressures of the "homemaking" influences in your life.  Get rid of any guilt for not having the "perfect" home or being the "perfect" housewife/husband. 

Ask yourself what it is YOU want when you think of reclaiming your home.  More space?  To keep things as they are?  To accentuate ____? 

Listen to your home... listen to your heart...

and please... throw out the bar.