Happy 2014!
As I consider New Year’s resolutions for my life and home, a quote from Alexandra Stoddard—one of my favorite authors—keeps coming to mind. Her words capture much of what I need to remember about living well, homemaking, and creating a space I love.
Instead of choosing a single word for the year, I’m drawn to a collection of ideas that together feel more useful and inspiring. They remind me that while many of us want to slow down, we also carry goals and dreams we don’t want to abandon.
We want our homes to be more organized and cleaner. We want rooms refreshed and more attractive. We might want to tap into creativity or build confidence. We hope to be content with what we have while still dreaming about improvements and possibilities. We want to believe that we can move closer to a home and life we truly enjoy.
We’re not aiming for perfection, but we do hope for progress.
Along the way we aspire to be better partners and parents, to improve our health, to offer a healthier home for our family, and to meet personal or professional milestones. Some of us may want to start a blog or a business. We want to feel successful in ways that matter to us.
So how do we pursue these goals while handling daily responsibilities and surprises—without becoming overwhelmed, overcommitted, or perpetually stuck? There are always setbacks, roadblocks, and unrealistic expectations to navigate. Being intentional about homemaking, decorating, and goal-setting sounds ideal, but reality can make consistency difficult.
Over the years I’ve found a surprising amount of peace in the process. I haven’t reached perfection, but the value of the day-to-day journey has become clearer as I’ve gained experience. I’ve learned from mistakes and discovered what works for me. That growing clarity gives me a calmer, more focused approach to homemaking and life.
I’m excited to share more practical tips and personal reflections about creating a home and life I love.
I’m genuinely looking forward to 2014 and all I want to share on The Inspired Room. After more than six years of blogging and many years of decorating and managing our home, I haven’t run out of ideas. My husband laughs because my favorite line at home is often, “I have an idea!” I feel more inspired than ever.
One word doesn’t capture all I hope for this year, but a set of guiding ideas feels like a strong start.
Let’s talk and encourage each other.
What are your dreams for 2014?
What obstacles do you hope to overcome on the path to a home and life you love?