Let me tell you about my problem. It's a complex about the cleanliness/appearance of my home.
Have I told you that until my first Wednesday Spaghetti in June I've never invited friends to my home? Not once.
We've lived there for six years.
I'm self-conscious about my unfinished rooms, my blue bathtub, my countertops from the 60's, the way I decorate, my choices in furniture, our water, my dishes, you name it.
I think it stems from when I was a kid. If someone came to the door and our house wasn't spotless; we (my sisters and I) were told to run upstairs and not make a sound until the person left. Even if it was family. My mom would shuffle us into an upstairs bedroom and stand with us in silence until we heard the person pull out of the driveway. I don't remember my parents ever having cookouts or gatherings. Family was never invited over for birthdays or holidays. I didn't have a graduation party. or any party for that matter. That meant people would have to come into our home and it just wasn't good enough.
My house is given an excellent cleaning every Sunday. The rest of the days of the week we "straighten things up" except for Saturdays. On Saturday, we throw things out of our way so we can go have fun. Fun is so much more important than a clean house. Do you know that it took me 29 years and some change to realize that? I've missed out on alot, but I'm not going to anymore.
I found myself being freaked out about my house until I realized that my sisters are far away and they aren't coming home. I also realized I need friends. I miss having girls around to chat with outside of work. I miss shopping with another person. I miss talking about girly things.
I feel at ease when I walk into your house and see childrens toys, animal toys, dirty dishes, and pizza boxes, and clothes all over your rooms. Thank you for not running to a room and avoiding my visit because it's 2 p.m. and your still in your pajama pants. I really don't care. In fact, I prefer it.
Life is too short to worry about my home-in-progress. Thank you for not judging me for the always-under-construction projects, my outdated kitchen and bathroom, my pink cabinets I still haven't gotten around to painting yet. Thank you for being true friends that like me for me.
I still have a long way to go, but I've finally opened my doors and let you in. It's been a HUGE step, but I'm so glad I did.
2 comments:
You are too cute. And boy can I relate to this post!! I used to be really bad about this. I used to think I could never have people over unless my house was SPOTLESS. I still struggle with it, but I'm getting better. Because I'd rather have people come over to visit me regardless...and there's not enough time in the day to constantly be cleaning, in anticipation that someone 'may' stop by. Even though we don't get very many visitors, anyway. BUT, the point is that I have gotten my cleaning down to one day a week. And if someone wants to come see me during the week, I'm not gonna freak out about my house being dirty. Well, not freak out TOO badly. :) And there are SO many things my house needs. But what's here is gonna have to be good enough.
Life is too short. I think we spend too much time trying to impress people and worrying what others think. Your friends love you for who YOU are. Not if your house is unfinished or you've got some dishes in the sink. Have people over. Enjoy yourself. Now's a good time to start.
Great post. I could go on all night about this. But I'll spare you...
I've never been a spotless person, because I don't mind dust but clutter drives me mad!
I'm always scrambling to straighten up whenever there is company coming. I shouldn't be so embarassed about it, I know everyone lives like that!
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