The realization that you can love something, you don’t just have to like it
I teetered on the edge of the step ladder, careening and stretching my fingers as far into the pointy corner as I could. Sweat beads, sprouting. Audiobook in my ears, keeping me focused.
Why I decided to dive into the art of wallpapering for the first time at 8:30 PM on a Friday night can only be explained by an overly ambitious burst of confidence that was part determination, part surrender.
I pressed on, pressing on the rich colors and patterns onto my formerly very mild bathroom wall. I even had the thought of, “Who dares to go so bold?” But like any soul being spurred onward from a vision, I whispered under my breath to just trust the process.
I have to say, I didn't love the process. It was actually quite awful for moments. If you ever look closely, you will find a collage of wallpaper pieces behind the sink because how do you actually make it work with all of those pipes and circles anyway?
But as it started coming together, the full walls spilling into the vibrant art… I absolutely loved it.
I found myself wanting to be in there, wanting to walk past the doorway.
I did this just in time for my daughter's third birthday. A point on the calendar, year after year, that holds so much joyful change for me.
The most perfect 3rd birthday cake
If you've been with me for a little while, you know that I hover over deeply meaningful moments to the place of saturation. It's who I have been created to be. A deep feeler and thinker who fully processes each nuance to my core.
I'm a romantic, and I've also always been very cautious not to mess things up. I don't want to make a mistake, which is slightly humorous that I have made my career out of taking chances and going for it with very little to zero guarantees.
But back to the bathroom.
For years, I have been just okay with it. It's fine. Nothing was wrong with the tepid beige, but I can't say I was thrilled to look inside when I walked by.
But now, she's an inspired room.
An inspired (bath)room
It feels sassy to walk inside and shut the door. It feels like a thrill to catch a piece of the pattern from the corner of your eye. The dark walls surprisingly make it feel much bigger inside, to boot.
I have been left with a sentiment I just had to pass on to you, gentle dreamer, friend, and creative heart:
The realization that you can love something, you don’t just have to like it.
The place of okayness is an actual destination for some of us. I mean, we all probably grew up with “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” at times. It seeped into my core more than I realized by a simple (not in process but let's just call it that) home improvement project I sprinted out in 24 hours.
What does my bathroom have to do with your brand or dreams?
Well, if you're walking by some neutral okayness could it be a place where you could pause to really punch it up? Allowing it to be a space of inspiration (yes, with some perspiration at first) and panache that speaks to your soul? I think it can be done.
I am just one woman on the pursuit of creating space for your truth, but that's because I know how powerful it is. Bold, punchy, flexing your own surprises just for you to catch out of the corner of your own eye.
