O-v-e-r-whelmed

So, my husband and I have been in our brand new home for a year and a half. Before that, we lived in an 800 sq. ft., one-bedroom apartment. And somehow, in the course of this short span of time we’ve managed to accumulate so much crap that it feels like we’re bursting at the seams in our home that is almost double the size of the apartment!

What happened?

Despite all my brilliant attempts at organization, our home is over-stuffed and overwhelming. The strong desire we had for so long to “spread out” and “fill our new home”, coupled with an addiction to amazing DIY projects on Pinterest and style dyslexia has resulted in the current state we’re in.


Today, I read the lazy gal’s survival guide : letting go of perfect, and let's just say, Ashley has miraculously pinpointed my frustrations.

"I feel like the term ‘housekeeping’ goes beyond just the organization of things. It’s a lifestyle. It’s everything from getting silly cords under control, to parenting tactics with pitching in around the home.

I think my biggest frustration is that I’m a surface cleaner. My home looks great on the outside. There is no clutter. And I have little systems that are semi-working. But as soon as I get my home looking like the photo above this one, I come crashing back down to reality.

The last time I shared my organization issues, a very well meaning friend shared their condolences. Say what? You’re sorry I’m not organized?

I’m sad to admit that it kind of made me feel bad. I let it make me feel bad. I’ve been feeling downright guilty about it. About not being ‘enough‘ in the land of having-it-togetherness.

You may as well say you’re sorry I’m not perfect. To me, organization has been the unattainable perfection.

I’m living my life. And so are all of you. I hate the word ‘busy.’ The truth of the matter is, we are what we choose to be. And I know it only gets worse. Honestly, I’ve been overwhelmed.

So why am I letting myself feel bad about that? Why should I feel bad about having a disorganized drawer? (dysfunctional pantry, closet crammed full, and crap under my bed?) Guilt. It only complicates the original problem.
And then I realized I was looking at the approach to a well-kept home, in a completely wrong way. A well-kept home is not the equivalent to perfection. Because there is no such thing as a perfect home.

Guilt is no longer driving me to an organized home. Neither is some preconceived notion or unrealistic expectations.

I want to run a smoother household. Creating a beautiful home is more than just a pretty space. It’s about the delicate systems behind it, that keep it running. And right now, our ride is a little bumpy."

 So. glad. I’m. not. alone.

Simplify. It’s so {pun intended} simple!

Project Wedding

{source}

Once upon a time, I was a bride in a blog-less, and Pinterest-less world. And my friends, it was a scary time indeed.

There were no mason jars...

There were no photo booths...

And all my bridesmaid dresses matched...

The horror.

Not really. The truth is the day I married my amazing husband was a beautiful and perfectly memorable day, as it should have been, and there are not many things I would change. But, a girl can dream, right?

Although I hardly consider myself cool, I've been asked by a few brides to assist in their wedding plans, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Dream up wedding ideas without having to pay for anything? Don't mind if I do.

You can check out my "delightful" picks and inspiration for these weddings here and here, and inspiration for a {possible} re-commitment ceremony for the hubs and me here.

xoxo,

~Rochelle

Doors Opening

{Dreams Realized?}

{i DO heart organizing!}

Friends, I can hardly believe the amazing opportunity that has just opened up...

The lovely and inspirational Jen Jones at iheart organizing just posted a blog opening a door to potential contributors to her wonderful site... and I jumped (I think literally!) at the opportunity to apply!!  

What an absolute dream it would be to be able to contribute to a blog I have subscribed to and loved for so long.  

Here's what I wrote to Jen:

Dear Jen,

I have a serious passion for organizing... a passion that has only just recently been realized.

Allow me to explain: for many years, I have helped close friends plan and organize their weddings, and have helped both family and friends with many organizing projects, including organizing kitchen cabinets after a big move; clearing out and re-purposing "junk" rooms, and more. I provided inspiration and assistance to my friends and family free of charge, simply because I love to help, and many of my friends have encouraged me to go into wedding planning, however, I have found that although I love many aspects of planning weddings, such as the beautiful flowers, and the details of the events, the aspect I always enjoyed the most was helping keep the brides organized, which allowed for a more fluid, less stressful experience for all involved.

When I made this self-discovery a little over a month ago, I wasted no time in beginning to write my own organization, titled Life: Delightfully Managed, and although it's early in my blogging journey, I believe my entries represent my writing style (I am an English major) and creative spirit. I also have an extensive Pinterest collection (including an organizational board), and am working to incorporate my collected pins as inspiration into my blog. I sincerely hope you take a look at my blog as well as Pinterest, and enjoy what you see!

Having purchased my first home just a year ago, my husband and I (self-proclaimed DIY experts), have organized, decorated, and made our house a home in the last year. If only I had documented all of my home projects during the last year... nevertheless, I have many more projects planned for our home, and assisting friends in their home organizational and decorating projects, which is very exciting.

I am so inspired by iHeart Organizing, Jen. You always manage to produce beautiful (and new) ideas and products, worthy of swooning over, pinning, and applying to our own lives, and I would absolutely love to be a part of your team.

Sincerely,
Rochelle Wall

I feel like God is not only opening windows, but whole banks full of beautiful French doors to me!  I know that I am not the only one that would dream of being able to contribute to iheart organizing, but, I believe that there is meaning in His timing... sowe'll see!

xoxo,

~Rochelle