In the corner of our kitchen, on top of our bread box, I store my young son’s needles and alcohol wipes for a daily injectable medicine. He’s on year six of a shot every day, with probably another 8-9 years to go. I knew if I was going to have to have all these medical supplies I could at least make the station pleasant to look at. The sharps box hides in a cabinet, but I have beautiful glass jars with a raised floral pattern, jade green lids, and brass hardware that I store the pads in one and the needles in the other. They’re very beautiful to look at, and you can’t see what’s inside. It makes a hard reality a little softer: using some of my most beautiful possessions to hold something unavoidable and otherwise clinical. As he gets older, I’ll encourage him to do the same for himself.
My house came with severely outdated appliances. Yesterday my new fridge (ONLY a fridge) and separate upright freezer were delivered. Both of them are very easy to keep organized and to see things in. I haven't done a lot of cooking in this house and now that I've put my food into these new homes, I'm realizing at least part of that was how much I hated the 30+ year old fridge.
I'm intrigued by the quote. I put in a request for that book at my library. It seems like it will be a perfect companion to my plans for the upcoming year.
My house mostly feels overwhelming: projects not yet started, projects in various stages of completion, and way too much stuff. But, there is one perfectly organized cabinet in the kitchen. I started dabbling in woodworking and decided to build some organization for our food storage containers. Now each size lid has its own slot and I made a shelf riser so the containers don't have to nest. The pieces I made have flaws and mistakes, but the process was fun and I try to appreciate the satisfaction of everything having an exact place each time I go in that cabinet.
I don't have a little spot I love--I used to have a lot of spots I loved and then my partner moved in and this space both isn't big enough for the both of us and we have very different approaches to *stuff* (he wants it easily accessible where he uses it and hates having to open doors and haul things out; I want everything hidden and don't mind opening doors and hauling things out), so it's an ongoing negotiation towards a space neither of us particularly likes.
But! I am always astounded by the power of a made bed to make me feel better about the world.
I recently hung some new bookshelves, and I spent a few nights this week arranging my books in a way that makes sense and is pleasing to me. I also put a bunch of cute thrifted picture frames between the books and am having a great time going through my camera roll deciding which photos to put in the frames.
I love this sooo much! It reminds me a bit of a Substack called House Talk by a woman known as the Soace Doula. She uses our homes as metaphors for our lives and shifting the energy in your home to shift things in your life. It’s pretty cool! (https://spacedoula.substack.com).
In my own world, I live with my parents right now so not a ton of agency over the space, but it’s been so much fun to really make my bedroom and my office my own, the two places I have more agency. And they feel soooo different than the rest of the house. More light, more peace, more softness. Feeling that difference get stronger over time has been super validating for me 💕
I have a "man cave / office" that allows me space for an altar I love. On a bench I made by hand, I have a picture of an elder that "energetically" speaks to me like a mentor from afar—Steven Spielberg, an illustration of Buddha, an art piece by my daughter, and a (fake) skull.
Can I ask where you took your ottoman to be reupholstered? We've got some chairs we've been meaning to do this with for years. And yes, small functional changes have an outsized impact on my well-being. Recently found a way to solve problems in my pantry, and it makes cooking so much better.
Yes! If you're in Portland, I highly recommend John's Upholstery on N Lombard. Really kind, affordable, and quick service. I'm now looking for more things I can have reupholstered!
A very specific corner of my home I love:
In the corner of our kitchen, on top of our bread box, I store my young son’s needles and alcohol wipes for a daily injectable medicine. He’s on year six of a shot every day, with probably another 8-9 years to go. I knew if I was going to have to have all these medical supplies I could at least make the station pleasant to look at. The sharps box hides in a cabinet, but I have beautiful glass jars with a raised floral pattern, jade green lids, and brass hardware that I store the pads in one and the needles in the other. They’re very beautiful to look at, and you can’t see what’s inside. It makes a hard reality a little softer: using some of my most beautiful possessions to hold something unavoidable and otherwise clinical. As he gets older, I’ll encourage him to do the same for himself.
This is a beautiful way to honor this reality, difficult as it may be. Thank you for sharing this.
My house came with severely outdated appliances. Yesterday my new fridge (ONLY a fridge) and separate upright freezer were delivered. Both of them are very easy to keep organized and to see things in. I haven't done a lot of cooking in this house and now that I've put my food into these new homes, I'm realizing at least part of that was how much I hated the 30+ year old fridge.
I'm so excited for your new appliances! I'll bet they make all the difference.
I'm intrigued by the quote. I put in a request for that book at my library. It seems like it will be a perfect companion to my plans for the upcoming year.
My house mostly feels overwhelming: projects not yet started, projects in various stages of completion, and way too much stuff. But, there is one perfectly organized cabinet in the kitchen. I started dabbling in woodworking and decided to build some organization for our food storage containers. Now each size lid has its own slot and I made a shelf riser so the containers don't have to nest. The pieces I made have flaws and mistakes, but the process was fun and I try to appreciate the satisfaction of everything having an exact place each time I go in that cabinet.
I don't have a little spot I love--I used to have a lot of spots I loved and then my partner moved in and this space both isn't big enough for the both of us and we have very different approaches to *stuff* (he wants it easily accessible where he uses it and hates having to open doors and haul things out; I want everything hidden and don't mind opening doors and hauling things out), so it's an ongoing negotiation towards a space neither of us particularly likes.
But! I am always astounded by the power of a made bed to make me feel better about the world.
I recently hung some new bookshelves, and I spent a few nights this week arranging my books in a way that makes sense and is pleasing to me. I also put a bunch of cute thrifted picture frames between the books and am having a great time going through my camera roll deciding which photos to put in the frames.
I love this sooo much! It reminds me a bit of a Substack called House Talk by a woman known as the Soace Doula. She uses our homes as metaphors for our lives and shifting the energy in your home to shift things in your life. It’s pretty cool! (https://spacedoula.substack.com).
In my own world, I live with my parents right now so not a ton of agency over the space, but it’s been so much fun to really make my bedroom and my office my own, the two places I have more agency. And they feel soooo different than the rest of the house. More light, more peace, more softness. Feeling that difference get stronger over time has been super validating for me 💕
Thank you for the recommendation -- just subscribed!
That quote, and the “new” ottoman! 😍☺️🥰
It was John's Upholstery on N Lombard -- highly recommended!
This is lovely, Rebecca : )
I have a "man cave / office" that allows me space for an altar I love. On a bench I made by hand, I have a picture of an elder that "energetically" speaks to me like a mentor from afar—Steven Spielberg, an illustration of Buddha, an art piece by my daughter, and a (fake) skull.
Do you know of a book called "House as a Mirror of Self"? The quote you shared reminded me of this one: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/905541.House_As_a_Mirror_of_Self
Hi Matt! Thanks so much for reading and for the book recommendation -- it sounds right up my alley! I just put a hold request for it at the library.
Can I ask where you took your ottoman to be reupholstered? We've got some chairs we've been meaning to do this with for years. And yes, small functional changes have an outsized impact on my well-being. Recently found a way to solve problems in my pantry, and it makes cooking so much better.
Yes! If you're in Portland, I highly recommend John's Upholstery on N Lombard. Really kind, affordable, and quick service. I'm now looking for more things I can have reupholstered!
Thank you so much! And I am. I love ways to keep what we have rather than buying new. Or buying used.