Ah, the joys of home! Home sweet home! It’s where the heart resides, along with the open-concept kitchens, dual vanities in bathrooms, finished basements, and cozy outdoor living spaces. Enter the world of HGTV, the channel that’s always ready to “just knock down that wall and open it up” for your viewing pleasure.
What is it about watching strangers search for their dream homes that captivates me? Am I simply a hopeless romantic, drawn to heartwarming family stories? Or do I secretly yearn to be a house flipper, spending my days hunting for deals on hardwood floors and stylish cabinets? I can’t help but feel emotional when hosts like Chip and Joanna prepare to unveil a dramatic transformation of an outdated home, asking, “Are you ready to see your fixer upper?” Absolutely!
I’m equally invested in watching a young couple with a modest budget dream of a beachfront property and a large family attempt to rekindle their love for their home through renovations. And what about the adventurous retirees from Indiana looking to downsize in Malta? Can they thrive in just 400 square feet? (By the way, if you ever want to feel like your home is enormous, tune into House Hunters International—it’ll have you appreciating your own space more than ever.)
I adore all these shows—the demo days, budget-friendly renovations, and the Property Brothers turning chaos into stunning spaces! Yet, there’s a significant downside to this obsession: it can lead to a profound dissatisfaction with my own home. After a recent marathon of HGTV, I found myself at my kitchen table, scrutinizing my surroundings. Everything felt wrong or outdated—the peeling wallpaper where a child had yanked it off, the trim on the island that I had been nudging my partner to replace for years, and the chipped tiles that seemed to mock me.
All I could think was, “If I could just fix that! A little paint here, a wall taken down there, and then I’d be happy!”
A few days later, while the family was gathered in front of the TV, we stumbled upon an episode of House Hunters. As we watched a lovely couple with kids explore a sprawling 5,000-square-foot home, I sighed, “Look at all that space! Imagine the game room!”
My 17-year-old chimed in, “But then we wouldn’t all be together like this. Who wants that?”
His words hit hard. I realized that all those hours of watching home improvement shows had ingrained in me the belief that bigger always meant better. Would I love a team from Fixer Upper to work their magic on my worn home? Of course! But is it essential for my happiness? Not at all.
When my family gathers for dinner, they’re not focused on the chipped floor or the outdated wallpaper; they’re looking at each other, and that’s what truly matters.
So, while I may not be giving up my HGTV habit anytime soon—it’s hard to resist daydreaming about a renovation project—I do need to check my perspective. I plan to embrace my imperfect home, which is a space where I’m raising wonderful kids. And honestly, what more could I ask for? Okay, maybe a mudroom, but only if it’s adorned with shiplap.
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In summary, while my love for home improvement shows may fuel a sense of discontent at times, I recognize the importance of appreciating the home I have and the family that fills it with joy.