What if I told you that your disheveled home was a sign of a full life? That each pile of unfolded laundry, every unmade bed, and those dishes in the sink aren’t just chores waiting to be done. But symbols of a home bursting with love, learning, and laughter.
Life has a funny way of showing you what’s really important. As I sit here, typing amidst a family room that bears the marks of a life well-lived (and a tad untidy), I can’t help but smile. I’ve got two teens who fill this home with laughter. Debates about everything under the sun, and, yes, a perpetual trail of belongings that they assure me will be picked up “later.” I’ve learned to pick my battles. And I’m here to tell you that an unkempt home is not where I choose to plant my flag these days.
Our home is a lot like our life. Full, rich, and rarely in perfect order. Our home is not a mess. It’s lived in. It’s the backdrop of a family with a full calendar and even fuller hearts. From morning until night, there’s a constant buzz of activity. Someone always needs to be somewhere – horse riding lessons, football games, you name it. And somehow, I’ve become the designated driver. But would I have it any other way? Absolutely not!
The clutter constantly perpetuates the countertops with today’s snacks and yesterday’s mail. The kitchen table is a patchwork of various hobbies and last night’s study session. And you know what? It’s ok. And here’s the truth, the messy, wonderful truth: it’s all fleeting. The days of having our kids under one roof, with their laughter echoing through the halls and their endless stories of school life and young adult drama, are numbered.
Naiya, our eldest, just moved into her first apartment, but she still spends a lot of time at home.
One day, and sooner than I’d like to admit, the backseat of the car will be quiet. The fridge will stay full longer, and the pile of shoes by the garage door will dwindle down to just a few pairs. We won’t have anyone to drive to the barn or to chat with about the latest TikTok trends. The bonus room won’t echo with the latest music, or the sound of a video game battle waged in good fun. The silence will be deafening, and with that silence comes a tidiness that I suspect will feel a bit too quiet for our liking.
So, when I trip over airpods or find myself folding a mountain of towels at midnight, I take a deep breath and smile. Because this chaos, this beautiful, vibrant chaos, means our home is full. Full of dreams, family, and the sweetest moments of togetherness.
It’s a reminder that life is happening here, in real-time, with all its imperfections.
So, as much as the world (and let’s be honest, sometimes my own heart) tells us that a clean, well-ordered home is the hallmark of success, I beg to differ. The signs of life—yes, even the messy ones—are what make this house a home. The screaming, the thumping, and the missing silverware are all signs that life is happening here in full force. And I wouldn’t trade that for all the spotless family rooms in the world. Speaking of missing silverware, can we have a moment of silence for all the knives, forks, and spoons that randomly go missing? Seriously, WTF?!?!?!?
I realize now that the mess can wait, but these precious moments with my children cannot. The time will come when the floors will be spotless, and our home will be quiet. But until then, I’ll take the messy rooms as a sign of a life well-lived and a family well-loved.
To my fellow parents wading through the beautiful chaos of raising teens, I see you. I’m with you. I’m here to tell you it’s ok to let go of perfectionism. Our homes don’t have to be pristine to be perfect for us. They’re lived in, loved in, and sometimes that looks a bit messy. And that’s perfectly fine. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the clutter, remember it’s just evidence of the full life you have. Let’s embrace the mess, cherish the noise, and take comfort in knowing that one day, we’ll miss the hustle and bustle.
Let’s share stories, swap survival tips, and support each other in the art of not sweating the small stuff. Please share this post with your fellow parent warriors. Leave a comment with your own beautiful messes, and let’s form a community where laughter over a spilled iced coffee is our anthem. Life is too short for matching socks and empty calendars. Let’s live it up – clutter and all!
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