I have a new house, and I still can't decide where I want the bookshelf.
I mean, it's in a perfectly reasonable spot. It looks fine. But every time I walk past it, I wonder if I'd like it better somewhere else.
This is how I am with decorating. I like to live with things for a little while before deciding where they belong. Sometimes I move them around a few times. Sometimes I end up putting them right back where they started.
Very productive, I know, but it's my methods I suppose.
I've finally moved into the countryside near Bellingham, Washington, and I'm beginning to make this place my own.
If you haven't seen my first days here, I've shared them in my newest vlog. There have already been a few little surprises.
I'm not trying to finish the house all at once
One thing I've learned from moving as many times as I have is that a house can look completely different once you've actually lived in it.
You think you know where you want everything. Then you start making breakfast, doing laundry, working in your office, and going about your ordinary routines.
Suddenly, the things that seemed important when you first walked through the house aren't necessarily the things that matter most.
I've been buying some practical things to make everyday life easier. And yes, there were quite a few Amazon packages to open. Who whould have known that moving into a new home is a wonderful way to discover how many little things you didn't know you needed, and I found quite a bit!
But when it comes to decorating, I don't want to rush into buying furniture or filling empty spaces just because they're empty.
I'm enjoying figuring out what works here.
And I think I'd rather have a room that's a little unfinished for a while than spend money on something I end up regretting.
A few things I'm doing differently this time
I've been trying to separate what actually needs my attention from what can wait.
First, I'm fixing the things that make everyday life inconvenient. If something isn't working well in the kitchen, bathroom, or entryway, that goes higher on my list. I want the house to function comfortably before I worry too much about how everything looks.
Second, I'm giving myself permission to change my mind. I'm not making every decorating decision immediately. I want to see how I use the rooms, where the sunlight comes in, and what feels comfortable after I've spent some time here.
And by the way, "I give myself permission to change my mind" is pretty much my life motto. Just ask anyone who knows me. I use it all the time, especially when I've changed my mind about something I was absolutely certain about five minutes earlier.
It's my favorite little loophole in life. Feel free to borrow it. You're welcome. :)
And third, I'm leaving room for the things I haven't started yet. I'd love to do some gardening in the spring, maybe grow some of my own vegetables, and spend more time enjoying the property with Georgie.
I have ideas, but I'm not pretending to know exactly how everything is going to turn out.
I've never been much of a gardener, so that should be interesting, though I love keeping a lawn except the landlords are tending to that.
This is still a home, even though I'm renting
I know some people wonder why I'd put so much effort into making a rental feel like home.
But I don't look at renting as a reason to hold back from enjoying where I live.
My apartment in Vancouver, Washington, was always intended to be temporary. I was looking for something with more space and nature around me, and finding the right place took longer than I expected.
I'm also thinking seriously about my financial future and retirement. Buying a home at current prices isn't something I want to commit to right now, especially when I'm still open to the possibility of retiring somewhere else someday.
So I'm comfortable renting.
And I'm just as comfortable making this place beautiful, welcoming, and practical for Georgie and me.
I don't need to own the walls to enjoy what's inside them.
Things I mentioned in the video
For those asking about the items I was unboxing, I've put the Amazon finds together in one place instead of listing every product here.
Amazon Store with all the items mentioned in the video: https://link.amazon/B06joJcLI
And of course, I'm still creating The Story Post, my monthly snail-mail club with a personal letter, art I've painted, a recipe, and a few little things to enjoy away from a screen.
Join The Story Post Snail Mail Club - It's a fun way to get a unique art print that I create, a personal letter by me, slow living prompt card, recipe card, and a few extras each month.
Anyway, that's where things stand with the house for now.
The bookshelf may move again. I'm almost certain of it.
But I have plenty of time to figure that out.
