None of us really thought a month ago that we'd be spending our spring confined to our homes for so long, but now that we are, I've been using the time to think about how my home can be my own personal paradise. This is something I've been working towards for a little while now, daydreaming, pinning, and putting into action some ways to make home the best possible place to be — even if I wasn't stuck here 24/7.
Paradise means something different to every person. It's clear in the way that some people picture a porch overlooking the mountains while it's snowing as paradise, while others picture a more conventional sunny beach with turquoise waters stretching out as far as the eye can see. While some people are going into productivity overdrive, others are taking this as a time to quiet the noise and see what parts of their life are truly meaningful. And thinking about how you can make the place you are daily, the place you might have to be in more than you ever imagined, the best version of it for you.
I've been alternating between moments of quiet and reflection, and some work on projects large and small around the house. As I think of things to do, I add them to a post-it note list so bouts of restlessness can have some structure without having to put the work in at the front of figuring out what to do. Still on my list I have things like "paint the front windowsill" or "wipe down the inside of the fridge". Neither task will make or break life if it doesn't get done, but getting it done during this lockdown period will make life better once it's over and the task is done.
Every so often I'll open a drawer or cabinet and methodically clean it out. I call it the slo-mo Marie Kondo method. Even though the pace would make for a horrible TV show or recommendation for people during "normal life", this pace is suiting me and I have bags and bags of items to donate piled up by my front door, my usual drop zone for donations. It is overflowing more than usual now since donation centers don't want anyone's stuff that might be contaminated. I don't blame them. It's showing me how much we have laying around waiting for someday use though. Someday rarely seems to come, so much of the stuff is heading for a new life some day, where I won't have to dust or move it to get to the things I do need.
Another thing I've been doing that feels active for improvement but isn't actively doing something is daydreaming about our next improvement project. I've got hours to spend browsing Pinterest, so why not? The most easy to picture project in my head is redoing our full bathroom. It feels weird planning to spend several thousand dollars to re-do a bathroom, but it's giving me something to focus on. I'm pinning and unpinning inspiration, and honing in on a vision. Of course, once I have a vision, I am checking with Patrick to see if he has any input. For someone who hates theoretical situations, he's being pretty cool about looking over things with me and helping me find a direction, like blue hexagon tiles!
But then again, with the weather warming up and literally every single one of my neighbors working in their yards, I wonder if I too should focus on our outdoor oasis? It's going to be a huge project involving a backhoe and several tons of bricks, but I can see it so clearly. Decisions, decisions. But really, even just weeding the cracks in the driveway is a great quarantine project that improves your home. It's not about having tons of money for grand projects, it's about all of the small things that add up to a place that you want to cozy up into, not escape from the moment the figurative doors to the world are flung open.
For some people a home paradise includes a grotto with a waterfall spilling into a pool with lush plants shading two magazine-worthy chaise lounges. Others might see a space on their porch for a wide swing and tons of pillows. This is not a call to action, necessarily. It's a call to look around and think about what you envision being in your house, or perhaps removed from your house, to make it a place you would want to relax... in whatever way relaxing means to you. Happy daydreaming and pinning!
