I wouldn’t classify myself as a complete disaster zone, but I certainly don’t fit the mold of a perfectionist either. I like to think of myself as “easygoing” when it comes to my living space. While I appreciate a clean and organized home, achieving that all the time is not feasible in my household. My husband and I both work from home, and we’re busy homeschooling our three kids, which means our space gets a lot of use. And, trust me, it shows.
However, when I have visitors I don’t know well, I transform into a whirlwind of organization. With a flurry of activity, I can whip our lived-in space into something presentable in record time. This often involves stashing away papers and laundry into bedrooms and a bit of gentle urging for my family to pitch in, but I manage to pull it off.
If you’re visiting our home for the first time (and I hope you won’t just drop by unannounced), you’ll be welcomed by a living room that could rival an HGTV reveal—complete with a lovely centerpiece and freshly brewed coffee. I can make my home look like it belongs in a magazine when I really put my mind to it.
That said, I’d rather not do that all the time. While I’d love to maintain a pristine home around the clock, that’s simply unrealistic with our lifestyle without causing unnecessary stress for everyone involved—definitely not worth it.
So, when good friends come over, we tidy up a bit, but we don’t stress about achieving perfection. You might find a laundry basket in the dining room, a half-finished Monopoly game on the coffee table, or a few art projects in progress. The floor under the dining table likely needs sweeping, and there might be a pile of dishes in the sink waiting for the next dishwasher cycle. And yes, there will definitely be shoes that belong elsewhere.
If you find our home in such a state, take it as a compliment. Seriously.
If I didn’t know you well, appreciate you, and trust you completely, I wouldn’t let you see the “real” us. I’d put on a neat-and-tidy facade out of courtesy, keeping you shielded from our everyday mess.
But for our close friends, you get to witness our family’s reality. If I don’t go out of my way to clean before your visit, it signifies a level of trust between us. It means we both understand that we don’t need to impress one another constantly. We can be genuine and relaxed, like family.
Believe it or not, those laundry baskets are a symbol of my affection. The clutter reflects my care for you. Those piles of papers indicate that you’re part of our inner circle.
If you step into our home at any point and see that it looks a bit unkempt, don’t worry—we haven’t given up. That’s just how we typically live—not quite an episode of Hoarders, but certainly not HGTV material. And we value your friendship enough to want you to see our normal.
So please, take our mess as the compliment it truly is. Inviting you into the chaos of our home is a testament to our bond. It means you are always welcome in our space—and in our lives.
For more insights on navigating parenting and family life, check out our other posts, including one about at-home insemination kits on Make a Mom. Additionally, if you’re interested in pregnancy resources, the CDC’s website is a great place to start. For further reading on family dynamics, visit Modern Family Blog for expert advice.
Summary
This article discusses the idea that a messy home can be a sign of trust and closeness in friendships. It emphasizes that inviting friends into your somewhat chaotic living space indicates comfort and acceptance, reflecting the bonds of friendship.