LIVE in the NOW
This past weekend, a client stated they will not start designing their home until they are married. It made me think of the BADGuild (Black Artist + Designer Guild) Founder, Malene Barnett, who recently published in AD about her home. Her home was beautifully done, but her caption on IG has stayed with me. She said, “15 years ago when I bought a dilapidated townhouse that, it would eventually turn into a space that supports me creatively. Back then I was single as I am now”. Why should she have waited, could you imagine if she waited to just NOW start on her home? No person should wait for the perfect person to come to start designing their home. You are living right now, right? Also, I don’t want to say your person will never come because the hopeless romantic in me wants everyone to truly find their love. I just would like to challenge you with some questions… What if they wouldn’t come until your home is complete? What if completing your home changes something within yourself to lead you to the person? Or leads you to the place you and this person will meet? I mean life has a funny way of working itself out. I met my person initially at a wedding I planned four years ago!
I can’t speak for everyone, but for myself, I’ve noticed I live for the next big moment instead of just enjoying the now and simply how far I’ve come in the journey. Just last week was my quit anniversary from the #USPS and I have to say I’m still standing so that’s something to truly celebrate. I remember the days crying in the parking lot thinking there has to be more to life, my life than this routine. Really let’s break the script as my current book, The Power of Moments, and live in the now. I have to say it has shaken things up in the greatest way. I feel your home should be a reflection of you, no matter what stage of your life. It makes me think of my first dorm room, or my first home, and now the apartment my partner and I share.
If you can’t tell they are all very different as they should stages of life I was in. They served their purpose for that time period of my life. That lime green dorm, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t doing it LOL. I’m saying all this to say…If the single life is your current stage of life then design your best single life. Discover what art or colors move you. Don’t be afraid of trial and error. Panit can be covered and the cost-effective way to accomplish this is DYI. I can’t believe I just wrote that, but if you’re following me on IG you can see my partner taking my own advice and I am making time of it. If you are in the stage of marriage think about how can you blend two people into one home and get to it. It should then be a reflection of both of you.
This blog isn’t intended to push you into a design service, but simply to help you explore where you are now. This is not saying to go and break the bank either, but I am saying be practical and not wait for this moment of marriage or whatever your “it” may be. If this blog has helped motivate you please drop me a line in the comments or tag me on IG to see what you’re up to.
Thanks for reading & always share with a friend. - Lauren Ashley
