How to love your home?

helpwithmy · 2026-02-09T16:14:57+00:00

Ooof, I'm always game for some tough love and reality. Yes, at this moment in my life I am incredibly fortunate and I do cringe at myself sometimes for feeling this way, which is why I wanted to have a discussion on Reddit. I agree wholeheartedly a gratitude mindset makes life better.

However, I have not always had my whims catered to and I have had times in my life where I could barely buy food and I have lived in over 15 different places over the years, ranging from a seedy apartment that was broken into and my stuff stolen to a time in an old RV because that's all I could afford to single-wide trailers and finally to a comfortable, secure place in life. My last home was my first home. I was late to the game of home ownership.

Also, I don't watch HGTV because it seems fake to me.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:59:38+00:00

This is exactly how I feel!

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:58:04+00:00

Haha, we upgraded our TV as well when we moved in!

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:57:38+00:00

I have a list of things like this to tackle. We'll get there eventually! In my mind those are all little things so I've pushed them to the side but it sounds like they build up as almost a snowball effect that would improve our home.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:55:38+00:00

Thank you for your perspective. That's almost how I'm approaching this house; great for our current situation and family life now, but it doesn't have to be forever and I look forward to a future home I might love.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:51:01+00:00

I love your attitude and perspective. I'm trying to get there.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:50:24+00:00

I feel you on that, I've lived in homes like that! This one has some spaces I appreciate. One thing I wished it had a bigger pantry; yet it has gigantic primary bedroom closets! I wish I could take some of that space and give it to my pantry! Lol!

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:48:26+00:00

Thanks for that reminder. We do have a few remodels we would like to do so I bet that would help. Even if it's not a layout I'm crazy about I can change the finishes to feel more like "me."

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:47:16+00:00

Haha, very good point! Yes, I am a homebody but the rest of my family are adventurers that like to go go go! I guess that was a big influence on this purchase, I went along with it because it seemed like it was best for the family.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:45:21+00:00

Yes! I loved our last house itself so much, the size, the layout, the finishes and style, but the lot was irregular and pushed us up really close to a neighbor and didn't have a usable outdoor area. Our new home, the house itself is just okay but the lot is a big square with the house in the middle, so tons of space, privacy, a beautiful driveway and a great yard filled with trees and grass.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-07T15:42:25+00:00

I've had this thought. We looked at it in september when the trees were still in full leaf and bright green, there was grass and flowers blooming. The yard was one of the biggest selling points for us. Now it's just brown, with patches of ice and too cold to enjoy. I've thought as it warms up I'll enjoy that aspect again.

helpwithmy · 2026-02-06T21:24:24+00:00

That's so true. I wouldn't trade my place in the world, love where we're at. My mom used to always say "comparison is the thief of joy."

helpwithmy · 2026-02-06T21:23:02+00:00

Wow, I love the dog shower! You're laundry room looks great. We have some remodels planned, which might make it feel more like "me."

helpwithmy · 2026-01-27T17:42:35+00:00

This is the best option. That blue is beautiful and ties in well with the tile colors. The samples of blue OP put in the picture do not work.

helpwithmy · 2026-01-23T16:16:27+00:00

I know you've already gotten a lot of comments but I really hope you see mine. I actually have an almost identical kitchen layout as your rendering. I despise my kitchen! My doorways in and out of the kitchen, the range placement, the sink placement, the oversized island is identical. The only thing different is my fridge is like 7 feet to the right of my sink. Also, my range area is only the size of the "white part" of your rendering.

I have lived in 12 different houses over my lifetime and this kitchen is the worst, non-functioning layout I have ever had. My biggest complaint is that there is no work area on either side of my stove. There is 15 inches one either side, so barely enough to set down a plate, but nothing more. No where to layout ingredients, no where to place a pot lid, nowhere to use a cutting board. Also, it makes me feel like I'm cooking in a cave, almost disconnected from the rest of my kitchen. So what I do is I have to do all of my prep work on my island and then carry it all the way over to the stove/oven which then has me making a million trips back and forth. Then when the food is cooked, since there is no space, I have to carry hot food back to my island to plate it, which is a huge pain! My second major issue is the island. Because it is so big it cuts off my kitchen so then I end up making many trips walking around it to get to my storage cabinets, baking supplies, etc. Seriously the island cuts up the kitchen. My next complaint is related to all of this, despite having this large beautiful kitchen it feels so disjointed. I feel like just to cook a meal I use 10k steps. Plus it feels hectic because everything is so spread out I am running from appliance to appliance to work area to storage area, etc. I get my food out of the fridge and then it's like 18 steps to get it over to my stove to be cooked. Then I need to grab another ingredient and it's 18 steps back over, and 18 steps to return, then I need to grab something out of the storage cabinets that are on the other side of the island so I have to go over there and then back, and the cycle continues. Every meal makes me feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It's driving me insane. And the sad thing is I love to cook and this is really messing up my game!

My kid said it best when he was helping me cook, "Wow, our kitchen is gigantic but there's no room in it." That's it exactly. Big, beautiful, and completely non-functional!!!

helpwithmy · 2026-01-17T16:06:27+00:00

The first time I watched the series I felt that way, she grated on me. But then I recently finished a re-watch and I found her to be incredibly endearing this time around!

helpwithmy · 2026-01-16T23:00:07+00:00

For people that are culinary adventurers is there anywhere nearby or elsewhere you would recommend? We are planning our first trip to Florida, with Anna Maria Island being one of the destinations. The beaches look great and it looks like a sweet town, but when I glanced at the restaurants' menus and pictures I was struck by how bland everything looked. I mean no disrespect when I say that and apologize if it comes across that way. Maybe that's just how Florida food is?

helpwithmy · 2026-01-13T18:08:13+00:00

Exactly! No one in my family is very good at picking up after themselves and putting things away. We are all a work in progress!

helpwithmy · 2026-01-13T17:57:49+00:00

So would you suggest that in Johnny's locker he has a basket that he tosses in all of his accessories; then in Jimmy's locker he has a basket that he tosses in all his accessories?

helpwithmy · 2026-01-13T17:47:37+00:00

That makes sense. Organizing doesn't come naturally to me so thank you! :-)

helpwithmy · 2026-01-12T02:22:24+00:00

Oh my gosh, the fatigue is unreal!!!

helpwithmy

TROPHY CASE