We all have different definitions of the word “home.” Some think of a house filled with family and friends, with love and laughter. Others think of a physical place, like sitting on a sandy beach, letting the rolling waves lull them to sleep. A few might think of a time when they felt happy and confident, ready to take the world by storm. But Emily defines “home” this way: it’s the space where you feel like your best self. She walks us through how to think about building a home that reflects what’s important to you—the physical things like where you want to live, or what small little joys can bring life to your space. Emily reminds us that no matter where you are in life, you can build a home that’s brimming with warmth and love that wrap around your people.
Thought-Provoking Quotes
“Home isn’t defined by the size of your space, or how much stuff you have in it, or even your location. Ultimately, I think this is what defines home for me: home is where you feel like your best self.” – Emily Ley
“Sometimes, the place we call home might not be what we always dreamed of. It might be smaller than we dreamed. We might not be near the beach or nestled in the mountains. You might be in a place where the landlord won’t let you put nails in the wall. But I firmly believe that you can take steps to define your space, no matter where you find yourself. You can mold it into a place that refreshes your soul. Little by little, you can piece it together so that your home is a reflection of who you are and what is important to you.” – Emily Ley
“Wherever we are, we all have exactly the right tools for creating home—and it lies within each of us.” – Emily Ley
“Here’s the actual definition of homemaking: it’s ‘the creation and management of a home, especially as a pleasant place in which to live.’ I absolutely love the bold simplicity of that definition. I believe it’s what we all want for our homes: we want spaces that are thoughtfully crafted, orderly, and well managed so that they foster life, love, and memories.” – Emily Ley
“What a respite your home can be when the rest of the world feels really complicated—and sometimes unexplainable.” – Emily Ley
7 Things to Remember as You Define Your Space
- Simple does not equal small
- Simple does not equal mundane
- Simple does not equal boring
- Simple does not equal settling
- Simple is rich and beautiful
- Simple is easier
- Simple is refreshing
A Blessing for Your Week
May your home be a place of love, of light, and of laughter. May those who enter the doors of your home feel welcome, safe, and seen. Wherever life takes you, I pray you will always have a sense of home you can take to each destination, and that each space you inhabit reflects the special person you are and the good you bring into the world.
Simplicity Tip of the Week
If you're looking to reinvigorate your attitude toward where you live, look at the way your space is laid out. Is there any way you could rearrange furniture, or even get rid of furniture to make your home work better for your lifestyle and family?
Remember this: your home should be a place of rest. Home is where we go to rejuvenate, recharge, reconnect and rest. It should feel comfortable and fresh. That doesn't mean that you need to spend a ton of money on decorations or new furniture. It simply means that you need to make what you have work for you.
Once you feel good about the way the big pieces are laid out, make sure everything else has a home. Do you have random things brought from previous moves that aren't getting used or don't have a place? Dump everything from these places in a laundry basket and slowly start to put away and sort them. It's a good place to start, right?
New Book Alert: Build a Life You Love!
Pre-Order Emily’s new book, Growing Boldly: Dare to Build a Life You Love, out March 23, 2021!
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