I walk carefully through the house, avoiding the creaky floorboard I know intimately. The children are in bed and I am resetting the house. The dishes are washed and put away. I fold a load of laundry and light the candle on the kitchen table. I pick up Buzz Lightyear from my dresser and place him in the toy bin.
We’ve lived here since before we were married, and the number of people who live here has quadrupled since I moved in. I fondly recall the way I would walk past this house, daydream of living here, and then how I serendipitously met the landlord and moved in a few short months later. That was seven years ago, and while still grateful for this little craftsman whose quirks I know all too well, I think often about how we’ve outgrown where we are.
“I fondly recall the way I would walk past this house, daydream of living here, and then how I serendipitously met the landlord and moved in a few short months later.”
Home is where so much of our life unfolds — where we rest, gather, dream, and reset. It’s the place that holds our daily rhythms and the backdrop to countless small, meaningful moments. Whether we rent or own, live in a small apartment or a sprawling house, our homes shape how we feel and how we move through the world, so it makes sense that we’d long to have our spaces reflect who we are and what we value. Sometimes this requires a subtle shift in decor or functionality; other times we may hope to move on to somewhere new entirely. This isn’t always feasible or possible, however, but the smallest acts — clearing a countertop, refreshing the sheets, tending a plant — can shift how we experience our surroundings and, in turn, ourselves.
Whether you’re in your current space for the long haul or you’re practicing contentment while waiting for a better fit, here’s how to make the most of where you are right now.
1. Tidy your space
I often remind myself that even if I had the house of my dreams, it wouldn’t feel nearly as dreamy if there was clutter everywhere and things were falling apart. This may not be the most glamorous or exciting part of tending to your space, but it is essential to feeling good about it.
“This may not be the most glamorous or exciting part of tending to your space, but it is essential to feeling good about it.”
It’s also entirely possible to romanticize it! Grab a fun beverage, put on a good podcast or playlist, fold your blankets, find a home for the clutter on the countertops, and get lost in creating some order within your own walls.
2. Clean up
I’m always delighted and surprised by just how far this effort goes, and by how much better my space feels (and smells!) after wiping everything down, running the vacuum, and putting a fresh set of sheets on the bed. Whether you clear your schedule on a Saturday or you use some of the extra cash in the budget for a cleaning service, give your home a good clean. You’ll be so glad you did.
3. Upgrade where you can
While it’s best to preserve the items we have for as long as possible, there are times when some of our home goods have truly come to the end of their lifecycle or aren’t a practical fit for our space anymore. For timely items like organization bins or essential furniture that needs to be replaced, I recommend posting an ask to your local Buy Nothing group or using some of your miscellaneous budget to see where investing might make things in your home feel more functional and comfortable.
“There are times when some of our home goods have truly come to the end of their lifecycle.”
For items that are less time-sensitive, I like to have a running list of quality goods I’m searching for second-hand, such as vintage rugs, solid wood furniture, and kitchenware, and then thrift accordingly.
4. Stop comparing
It’s no surprise that when I think about the times I was most content with where I lived, it was during the pre-internet days. I remember making a little haven for myself in my dorm room – arranging and rearranging a whole host of hand-me-downs and delighting in my miniature coffee maker that made just the right amount for me. I strung up string lights, kept things tidy, and never once thought about what others had down the hall — or around the globe for that matter.
“When I think about the times I was most content with where I lived, it was during the pre-internet days.”
The internet has made wanting to keep up with the Joneses irresistible. And while there is infinite inspiration that can be found online, it can quickly turn into comparison and discontentment. When this happens, turn off the noise.
5. Practice gratitude
In the same vein, make a list of what you’re grateful for, whether mentally or literally. Is it the way the light streams in in the afternoon? A cozy corner where you love to curl up with a book? Perhaps you have a bit of backyard or a screened-in porch that holds memories you’ll cherish no matter where you live in the future. Call these things to mind and savor them.
6. Set the mood
Once your home is tidy, clean, and comfortable, grab some fresh flowers from the market or a potted plant to put on the dining table. Turn on a playlist and light a candle or two to set the mood for no other reason than this is where you are, right here, right now.
Making the most of our homes isn’t about perfection or possession; it’s about presence. And while this piece is about how tending a home grounds us in the present moment, I’ve found the same principles apply to every other area of our lives, too — our bodies, our souls, careers, and beyond.
“Making the most of our homes isn’t about perfection or possession; it’s about presence.”
Our homes hold the rhythms of our daily lives — the quiet mornings, the soft hum of evening routines, the laughter that fills the in-between. When we tidy, clean, upgrade thoughtfully, and let go of comparison, we invite a sense of peace and pride that no square footage or decor trend can replicate. In tending to our homes with intention and care, we nurture not just our surroundings, but our wellbeing.
Kate Arceo is the Community Manager at The Good Trade. She has a Bachelor of Science from Evangel University and has over 5 years of experience reviewing sustainable home and lifestyle brands, as well as organic kids’ apparel and nontoxic cosmetics. When she’s not hosting dinner parties with her husband at their home in Southern California, you can find her sipping a latte at their local coffee house or shopping for strawberries with her kids at the farmers market. Say hi on Instagram!
The post How To Be Happy With The Home You Have appeared first on The Good Trade.
