Ah, the joys of home. Home sweet home! It’s where our hearts reside, and it should be filled with open-concept kitchens, luxurious bathrooms, cozy living spaces, and perhaps a mudroom adorned with shiplap. Welcome to the world of HGTV, where every episode is a reminder that renovations are just a wall away!
What is it about watching strangers hunt for their dream homes that captivates us? Is it the heartwarming tales of families finding their perfect space? Or perhaps I harbor secret aspirations of becoming a house flipper, scouring listings for real estate gems and stylish fixtures? I admit, I get a little emotional when hosts reveal the transformation of a dated property, asking that iconic question: “Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?”
Absolutely! I’m just as eager to see if that young couple can find their beachfront paradise on a tight budget or whether that family of five can rekindle their love for their home after a major overhaul. And let’s not forget the adventurous couple moving from Indiana to Malta—can they truly thrive in a mere 400 square feet? (Pro tip: If you ever want your home to feel expansive, binge-watch House Hunters International. You’ll find yourself appreciating your own space much more.)
I can’t get enough of these shows! The demolition days, the budget-friendly renovations, and the Property Brothers working wonders on chaotic spaces are all so entertaining. But there’s a dark side to this obsession: it can make you resent your own home. After one particularly lengthy HGTV marathon, I sat at my kitchen table, surveying my surroundings. Suddenly, everything felt wrong—outdated, broken, or just plain ugly. I winced at the wall where a child had ripped off the wallpaper, felt frustration over the missing trim I’d been pestering my partner about for years, and noticed the chipped tiles and sticky cabinet doors.
I found myself thinking, “If only I could just fix that, paint this, or knock down a wall—then I would be happy!” A few days later, while my family gathered in front of the TV, we stumbled upon an episode of House Hunters. Watching a lovely couple tour a sprawling 5,000-square-foot house, I sighed and said, “Look at all that space! Imagine the game room and laundry room I could have!”
In a moment of wisdom, my 17-year-old chimed in, “But then we wouldn’t all be together like this. Who would want that?” I was taken aback. My teenager’s words hit me like a reality check. I realized that my hours of home improvement voyeurism had led me to equate bigger and newer with better. Would I love the chance for the Fixer Upper team to transform my well-loved but aging home? Absolutely! But would that be essential for my happiness? Not at all.
When my family gathers around the dinner table, they aren’t focused on the imperfect floors or outdated wallpaper. They are looking at one another, enjoying each other’s company—and that’s what truly matters.
Am I going to give up my HGTV habit? Probably not. Who doesn’t dream of taking a sledgehammer to outdated tile? But I do need to remind myself to check my perspective and acknowledge the beauty of my imperfect home. Until then, I’ll continue to appreciate my home, even if it’s not covered in shiplap. Because it’s nurturing my wonderful, unbroken family.
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Summary
Our HGTV obsession can lead to unrealistic expectations about our own homes. While it’s easy to envy the perfect renovations we see on screen, it’s essential to appreciate the space we have and the memories we create within it. Our homes may not be perfect, but they provide the backdrop for our lives and families.