I wouldn’t call myself a complete disarray, but I’m certainly not a stickler for cleanliness either. I’d say I’m more of a relaxed individual when it comes to my living space. While I appreciate a tidy home, it’s not always achievable, and I’ve come to terms with that. With both my partner and I working from home and homeschooling our three kids, our home sees a lot of activity, and it’s evident.
That said, when someone unfamiliar is headed over, I transform into a whirlwind of organization. In a flash, I can turn our lived-in space into something resembling a picture-perfect setting, albeit with some hurried shoving of laundry and papers into hidden corners and a bit of frantic coordination with my family.
If it’s your first visit and you don’t just drop by unannounced, you’ll walk into a living room that looks like it belongs in a design magazine, complete with fresh coffee and carefully arranged decor. I can create that magazine-worthy look when I really focus.
However, maintaining that level of perfection constantly is unrealistic for our lifestyle. It would only lead to unnecessary stress for everyone involved, which isn’t a fair trade-off. So when good friends come over, we tidy up a bit, but we don’t sweat the small stuff. You might find a laundry basket in the dining room, an unfinished Monopoly game on the coffee table, or scattered art projects in progress. The floor beneath the dining table likely needs a good sweep, and there may be a few dishes in the sink waiting for their turn in the dishwasher.
If you encounter this kind of situation in my home, know that it’s a sign of trust and friendship. I genuinely mean it. If I didn’t feel a strong connection with you, I would clean up to present a polished facade — a courtesy, of course — and I wouldn’t invite you into our cozy chaos.
Our close friends are part of our everyday life. If I don’t put in a huge effort to clean before your arrival, it indicates that I trust you to accept us as we are, without judgment. It signifies that we can share a space where we don’t have to impress one another constantly. It’s about being genuine and comfortable, like family.
Believe it or not, those laundry baskets are a sign of my affection. My home’s clutter reflects my care for you. Those piles of papers signify that you’re part of my inner circle.
So if you step into my home at any point and notice that it seems a bit chaotic, remember that this is our normal state — not as extreme as a Hoarders episode, but far from HGTV standards. We cherish you so much that we want you to feel at home in our everyday realities.
Please take our mess as the compliment it is. Allowing you to see it is a testament to our friendship, indicating that you are always welcome in our home and our lives.
For more insights on home and family dynamics, be sure to check out our other blog posts, including this one. And for those interested in the process of home insemination, Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit is a great resource. Additionally, if you’re looking for more information on infertility, this link offers valuable statistics and insights.
In summary, if you find my home a bit messy, it’s not a reflection of our friendship—it’s an invitation to be part of our everyday life, one where we can truly be ourselves.