Home DecorMore vs. Enough – Spring in Our Home May 7, 2018 I came across this old quote several months ago and like many things in my life recently, I knew God had plopped it right in my lap for a purpose. One big thing that’s been changing in our lives and hearts this last year is how we feel about STUFF. I first shared about living with less and simplifying in Chapter 5 of the Our Story video series I did. God was showing us the differences between want and need and had been making me painfully aware of how much stuff we accumulate, how much money we waste on it, and then how much of it goes unused and ends up donated. We just consume so, so much. And MORE has always been the name of my game. I’ve long said that I’m the farthest thing from a minimalist when it came to style, but that same principal crossed over into every area of my life: my wardrobe, my grocery choices, purchases for the kids. While I’m still not a complete minimalist when it comes to cultivating our home and the style I’m drawn to, there’s much about that word now that appeals to me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a bargain shopper. I’ve always been drawn more to Target and thrift stores and discount spots…and do you know what’s funny? The goal in my heart wasn’t to spend less (though I said it was). Looking back, it was to save on each item, so I could buy MORE. more, More, MORE. Always more. Last year, God started revealing this tendency and its deep-seeded problems. I want more. I want more food choices. I want more clothes because I have nothing to wear in my bursting closet. I want new throw pillows because the season changed and these look like winter…too dark. I want a bigger house because this one is too tight for our growing family…just one more bathroom will do. I…want…more…and surely when I get it, I’ll be content and happy, needing nothing. And what I finally realized as I was combing through these dark spots in my heart is that what I was really saying is, “What I have isn’t enough.” As I’ve processed through this, I’ve swung from one extreme to the other: Buy nothing! Okay, I have a need, buy it and then feel guilty. Now buy nothing again! And I’ve realized that it isn’t back and white. There are many times when there is an actual need and buying a well-chosen, good quality piece we can afford completely makes sense. But I used to give no thought at all to my purchases in every area of my life. I called myself “intentional with money” because I tried to buy the cheapest things I could find, but cheap adds up, y’all. And often, those cheap things fall apart and come next year, I need another. Overall, my standards for purchasing and providing for our families’ needs have changed drastically. Maybe instead of minimalism I should say, PURCHASES WITH PURPOSE? That’s what I’m calling our new “stuff standard.” I’ll share more about that later, but today, while sharing some photos of our home for spring felt like the right time to bring up my more vs. enough pendulum. The changing of seasons is one of the worst spots of consumerism I see in myself looking back over the last few years. The season changes, I need to do a home tour, BUY BUY BUY. Our home can’t look like it did last season! I need new pillows, new seasonal-appropriate art, new knick-knacks, new vases, new blah, blah, blah. My husband first called attention to the insane amount I’d spend on home goods at the turn of every season several years ago and I blamed the blog. “I have to! This is my job!” And the funny thing is, I look back even before the blog and I was doing the same thing. For our first home, I was buying a ton of new every season to “freshen our home for spring” or “cozy it for fall.” Even then, I didn’t want to use last year’s goods because I’d grown tired of them. I justified it because everything I found was “so cheap”, but when you buy a lot, it’s still a lot. And isn’t cheap relative? I’d celebrate the $20 throw pillow I found at Target, but when you come home with six…it ain’t cheap. And regardless of the cost, our home was continually filled with more to hoard and it built up and up and up. STUFFOCATION. Anyone remember that term from Our Story series? It’s a real thing, I can testify to it. Even back then when I had no problem with accumulating as much stuff as I wanted, I would grow overwhelmed and tired. After the big buying spree each season, I’d start to feel down, overwhelmed by the buying, the new stuff I saw everywhere I turned, and the realization that after the high of “new” wore off, I still wasn’t content. I’d feel despair over the havoc I’d wreaked over our tiny budget. I’d take a break. But it wouldn’t be long before it’d amp up again…a new season was coming. And this goes way beyond the home for me. A new season has always brought the desire for a new wardrobe. “I’m tired of last year’s sweaters. They have holes (because I bought the cheapest one I could find in the name of ‘I can get one in every color!’).” “Just one new printed dress, oh and boots to match.” It goes on and on and on. The consumerism spills into every area, filling every nook and cranny, sucking the life out of your budget, zapping your gratitude at the insane amount we are blessed with, and leaving us sad. This spring, like every other season before, I started to crave a refresh as it approached. At first I felt guilty. Isn’t craving change in our beautiful home ungrateful? Shouldn’t this be enough? But then I remembered that God created the seasons! He created them to feel different. Changes happen outside, different produce is grown meaning different foods are celebrated and eaten, new rhythms unfold. And that’s good. I’ve come to love the change of seasons because I see God’s goodness abounding in it. While I’ve grown to believe that getting outside and experiencing the changes is the best way to enjoy it and to worship the Creator for how He makes beauty and provides for us anew each season, I realize that it’s completely natural to crave bringing a little of that inside. Our home is such a special, intentional place to be cultivated for our family. It’s a place to grow, to celebrate, to enjoy life. For me, seasons is a huge part of that. This year, I first took stock. What is it I’m craving? Fresh and light. Okay, now, do I have anything that can accomplish that? I first laughed at that because of course I don’t! I got rid of about 60% of our stuff when we moved into this smaller home and where home goods were concerned, that meant nearly everything that didn’t have a permanent place in this house. But I kept looking and thinking. I identified the few areas that felt too heavy and I brainstormed. And I realized that as much change as our life is filled with, I like for some things to stay constant. I like to finish a room and it stay that way because who knows how long we’ll be here to enjoy it! Once a space is put together, it doesn’t get moved around very often. But I’m trying to change that because I realize how fun it is to be creative with what you already have….to see it differently, re-imagine it, buy less or buy nothing. And to freshen our home for spring this year, that is exactly what I did. We took thirty minutes and moved the bedroom rug out into the living room. While the colorful Persian we had here is my favorite rug I own, I just needed a freshened change. And moving rugs means we got a good spring cleaning in under the couch and places that are rarely touched in this house. I loved this rug in our bedroom and it’ll likely find its way back there again. But for now, this spring, I’m loving the light and airy feel it gives to this space. For now, we have a cowhide in the bedroom and much more bare floors and even the bare floors feel lightened and right for this season where I crave clean and less cozy. For the couch, I took a throw from Dax’s room that wasn’t being used that pulls the mint and blue out of the curtains and a cream textured pillow I had in another chair. And instantly, it felt fresh like I’d wanted…not a completely different room like my purchases used to result in, but just what I was hoping for right now. In the kitchen, I celebrated spring by taking my absolute favorite floral picture and placing it above the hood. I found it at a thrift store years ago and I love everything about it. The colors, the chippy imperfect frame. And I love it in this room with the tile and rug. It gives me the hint of spring I was after and makes me smile whenever I look up. I moved some green plants around so I had pops of growth and green in new spots to be delighted in. And it felt lighter. It felt fresh. It felt like enough. I realize for each of us this looks different. While we love using the gifts God has given us to renovate and it’s become a big chunk of our income as a family, I realize not everyone can do a renovation. I hope that sharing our story as we make home doesn’t just make others crave an overhaul. I hope sharing how we renovate, decorate, cook, and do life with purpose encourages others to look at their own life and see unique ways they can do the same. I hope that sharing our story reveals the beauty in both a simple Ball jar of flowers clipped from the yard or a pretty, functional, and thoughtful kitchen reveal. Regardless of what our homes or homemaking journeys look like, I know that we can each do it with purpose, giving intentional thought to how we consume and I know from experience that all of our hearts will find rest when we embrace enough.
MB says May 7, 2018 at 10:11 am I LOVE this post! You have a gift for writing and expressing thoughts so beautifully and clearly! And it especially resonated with me because my family is in this exact season as well. We moved over a year ago to a new state, leaving behind our home (which we rented out), family, friends and our church. We now rent an apartment for the time being and as a person who loves all things home, I struggle with this temporary and small space. But your article is exactly what I have been striving to remember every single day! We are also paying off debt while we live here so we can buy a home debt free and I am constantly having to remind myself… why should I say no to that new throw pillow? Because I have no need for it, I am trying to cut that ‘buy-something-new high’ and we have bigger goals to accomplish! Like moving out of this apt to have a yard for our three girls! I’m sorry for such a long comment but I just wanted to express how much I appreciated your post today!! Reply
MB says May 7, 2018 at 10:14 am I should clarify, when I say we’re in the exact season you’re in, I know you’re not in an apartment and you’re already debt free ? but I meant the desire to stop consuming for consuming’s sake, taking stock of the bigger picture and finding contentment. Sorry I didn’t word that very well ? Reply
Lindsay says July 1, 2018 at 6:22 pm Oh Maran, your story literally touched me so much tonight! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m combing through old comments so I’m so sorry for my late response. But they uplifted me more than you know! I love hearing your story, what a beautiful and worthy story it is! And girl, paying cash for a house is so amazing! We still have a small mortgage, so that’s what we’re focused on now. Can’t wait to hear more about your journey and I want you tell me when you get there! Cheering you on girl! Appreciate you so much π Reply
Sandy says May 7, 2018 at 12:54 pm This is exactly what I needed today! Thank you for sharing your journey. My husband and I recently quit our jobs, sold or house and 85%of our stuff, and moved in with my elderly parents to help cate for them. We went from a 1700 sq ft house to 700 sq ft of space and I’m in the process of making the upstairs of an old farmhouse a homey space of our own. Even though I know this is what God is calling us to do in this season of our lives, thoughts, frustrations, and discontent try to come in and get me thinking I “need” it it look/be a certain way. This was a good reminder for me. I have enough. I can be content. The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need. Bless you and your family and all you do! Thanks again for sharing your journey. Reply
Lindsay says July 1, 2018 at 6:21 pm OH Sandy, your story is so beautiful!!!! I’m combing through old comments tonight and I can’t tell you what an encouragement your words were. What a selfless, purposeful thing you’re doing that has eternal impact in my mind! Reply
Kathy Frye says May 7, 2018 at 4:36 pm Hi Lindsay: I loved this post! It is so easy (for me) to read/look at the beautiful “staged” homes in blogs and want to replicate that in my home, (but is it really necessary to have 6 throw pillows on a couch). lol. I loved going to estate sales so I could get “bargains” and always watch Target for sales…and TJMaxx was my best friend. Then, as seasons changed and it was time to store all of my “treasures”, storage became a problem. During Winter, when the weather isn’t fit for being outside, the four walls and my “treasurers” start closing in on me and I feel the need to purge…but as Spring comes around and I spend less time indoors, my purging doesn’t amount to as much as I brought in. I really am trying to focus on keeping only what makes me happy and shopping my own home when I feel the need to change my decorations. Your homes have always been beautiful, but it is your beautiful soul and underlying content and message that inspires me more. Thank you Lindsay…for so many things and for keeping it real! Reply
Lindsay says July 1, 2018 at 6:18 pm Oh Kathy, thank you so much for your kind, uplifting words. I”m combing through old comments tonight, and this was such an encouragement to me!!! Reply
Austin says May 7, 2018 at 4:36 pm Yes. Yes. Yes. I know I commented on your Instagram picture about this post, but I can’t help but add my agreement in here, too! “Purchase with Purpose” is one of the major things I’m learning through my current shopping ban (obviously learning this lesson for NEXT year ha ha). I’ve always been a Target gal, coming home with bags upon bags of stuff that, particularly clothing, would have to be replaced sooner rather than later, but MORE always seemed more satisfying than BETTER, which typically means more expensive and LESS. I also used to think that if I wasn’t changing out my throw pillows or buying a cute new top every week, that life would feel so deprived. Turns out… life feels about the same without all that stuff! The urge is still there, but I’ve realized I function just fine with what I already have. While I won’t deny that I’ll be happy to take a guilt-free trip to Target next year, I’m also praying that this year of restraint will really impress upon me to be thankful and a good steward of what we’ve already been given. Phew, sorry that was so long, I’m just super passionate about this! π LOVE your spring spruce-up! Reply
Lindsay says July 1, 2018 at 6:18 pm Austin, combing through old comments, and I can’t tell you how much it uplifted me to read these words! Amen to every word, girl! Reply
Sherry says May 7, 2018 at 4:42 pm I went through the same thing a few years ago. This year I freshened things up by removing rugs and allowing our beautiful floors to show and I took all my throws off my couch so they felt lighter. I also put up sheers that I had in the closet so the room felt all light and airy and I love the way they flutter when the windows are open. It is so much fun to use what we have isn’t it? I love your story and love especially that you are sharing what God showed you and has done in your heart. That is the most important lesson you can share. Thank you for your honesty. May God bless your socks off this year. Sherry Reply
Lindsay says July 1, 2018 at 6:15 pm Oh Sherry, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m combing through old comments and they were so uplifting to me today!!! Reply
AmandaKB says May 7, 2018 at 6:15 pm I love that you shopped your house to make things feel fresh and light. We’re on a similar journey up here to cut back on unnecessary purchases and be more intentional about what we buy. We have a bit of a quality over quantity motto. Instead of buying like 4 cheap shirts, I’ll buy one good one that I love that seems well made. I recently needed rubber boots for our creek adventures, and I researched to make sure I got a pair that was guaranteed to be waterproof and comfy (without sacrificing cuteness haha). They weren’t cheap, but I was patient and scored 50% off. I no longer pick up random home purchases like pillows or decor without thinking. I started taking pictures of things in stores that I really like, and surprisingly, that has worked out so great to keep me from buying. When I do buy something, I have to love it and it has to serve a purpose. I have been working on this for a couple of years now, and I feel so much better about the direction we’re headed. Thanks for sharing these pieces of your family’s journey π Reply
Lindsay says July 1, 2018 at 6:14 pm Oh Amanda, this is an old comment I”m just combing through, so I’m so sorry for that! But thank you for your sweet and encouraging words. You’re always so uplifting! Reply
Sharon says May 8, 2018 at 4:51 pm Hi Lindsay, once again, I couldn’t agree more with what God is speaking to you, because He has spoken it to me too. There is so much joy in being content with what you have. I think we are much like children and crave boundaries and this is a great way to experience that. And from a different angle, when we always want more, what are we saying? God what you have provided is not enough for me…AND we are also making those ‘things’ our idols–tying our joy, our happiness, our sense of worth to them. Your recent posts are just a couple examples of why I love your blog, I can identify with your values and your desire to live God-centered — so refreshing!! π Reply
Janice says May 16, 2018 at 11:07 am I’ve been there, too, Lindsay. New season, new stuff. But that has changed over this past year as I’ve purged and simplified the dΓ©cor and function of our home. I feel like I can finally exhale and while I regret the money wasted over the years, I’ve gained discernment for moving forward. Thanks for being a fresh voice in the blogging world of MORE! Reply
Susie says May 17, 2018 at 5:25 pm Thank you for this new perspective about being content with what we have, in the here and now state of our lives. The influences to buy, buy, buy never end. Sometimes itβs such a wonderful thing to visualize something you already have differently and use it in a new way. And it keeps us from perpetually drowning in stuff. Thank you Lindsay! I love your aesthetics and your sensibilities! God bless! Reply
Jashan says October 23, 2018 at 9:35 am Nice room Decor.. loved the way you manage lots of stuff in such a small place Reply