I posted this quote on my Instagram last weekend because it has really hit home lately. I have to admit that at some point along the way, our house became a major source of tension and emotional, physical, and financial stress. As hard as we tried, it was unavoidable. Charles and I both grew to resent the huge restoration project we had taken on (hello, did you see this list?!) and it has taken us some time to get back to that feeling of joy.

Last weekend, we got there. We had an extra day off and we put the finishing touches on so many things…vanity hardware, bathroom towel hooks, a new rug, and lots of styling and decorating. We hung photos. We finally got through the last of our boxes from this room. All of a sudden, this tension that had settled into our collective shoulders was magically lifted and we could breathe again. And the grass really did look greener, even in January!

It took a ridiculous amount of work to get there. We had to “water” our house constantly for almost two full years. But now, on the other side of it, I can tell you this much: it has all been totally, unequivocally, completely, positively, 100% worth it.

So this weekend, remember to water the things that matter to you. Happy Friday!

Original background photo via Sonya Yu.