A new attitude | A Goode House

I knew it was time to take a break when I started to cry over my bedroom closet.
As a sane person reading this, you know that’s just not normal… or healthy. Full-time renovation takes a toll on those who expect too much, too fast. I’m very hard on myself and often set goals that are unattainable.

When times like these roll around I acknowledge that things are not good and it’s time to change my way of thinking. I needed to stop, breathe, get out of the house and try to see how beautiful things can be…. just as they are. Once I see it, and adjust my attitude I can go back and see this house and all the work that lies ahead of me in a positive way.

This quote by Matisse meant many things to me. The beauty of this house, IS THERE, if I choose to see it and not just focus on what’s wrong or what hasn’t been done. It doesn’t have to be perfect or done “in time”, and it certainly doesn’t have to bring me to tears. It’s just a house, flaws and all… beautiful as it is and will be.

I decided to take my new camera, take advantage of the short break between rain storms and just walk outside and feel the breeze, smell the smells, and allow my eyes to see things in a different way. My lenses needed adjusting. So did my attitude! For some reason taking pictures of the things you see everyday makes you see them in a more simple and beautiful way. It made me appreciate all that I have. I’m surrounded by beautiful things… perfect and flawed.

Sometimes I look outside and see this old rotting fence and think “Will I ever get my new fence”, “when will we ever find time to get to that”. Then I took this picture and realized that the fence was super cool in this state…. old, faded, dirty, rotting, and full of character. It’s seen many rainstorms, 3 hurricanes, even snow… the wind has blown and rocked it’s sides and mother nature has put it to the test. It’s still standing and one day we’ll replace it, but today it’s beautiful just as it is.

This house is surrounded by pretty little courtyards that each hold small little details that I should always see as my oasis. It is mine to enjoy!

Richie collects mirrors from estate sales and we hang them on the fences in the back yard. They each reflect a view that should make me proud. I am.

We’re both creative people who need to STOP obsessing over renovation work and start finding time to enjoy what’s been done and to do the things that made us tick before we bought this house. They’ll be time for the rest… and if time runs out at least I stopped and enjoyed it when I could. My afternoon of picture taking definitely fixed what was ailing me. My tears are gone and I’m ready to hang some clothes in my new closet.