Recently I came across a picture of Albert Einstein’s desk:
Doesn’t this make you happy to see? To me, it says, “Mind at work.” The piles of books and papers, formulas scribbled on the wall–everything: it shows something is happening here. How refreshing that Einstein didn’t care about piles or about organizing everything just so—he cared about ideas.
This is an inspiration to me because it reminds me what a workshop space should look like:
What words come to mind with this workshop? In progress. Busy. Hard work. Dusty.
These are the words I want to describe my house–yes, I’ll even take “dusty,” because I want my home to be a workshop. I want it to be a place where we are building great minds and forging strong people. And I want to welcome the dust (both literal and metaphorical) that comes with construction.
This isn’t easy. I admit, I like things neat, tidy, and nice looking. But, as I’ve accepted that I live in a workshop instead of a traditional house, I have learned to embrace my workshop lifestyle.
In our workshop, we have a map on the table.
and walls full of kid art, instead of fine art.
We have charts on the walls
and a coffee table full of art supplies, instead of coasters.
And instead of dreaming of my living room looking like this:
I drool over pictures like this:
Some day my holiday table may look like this:
But right now it looks like this:
I’m ok with that. In fact–I’m thrilled. Because my house is a workshop. My children are growing and making memories, and I’m right there with them.
QUESTION: What makes your house a workshop?
CHALLENGE: Prioritize family and building relationships over keeping a pristine, spotless home.
Images provided by Amanda Hamilton Roos.
Featured image from Microsoft Office Images with graphics by Julie Finlayson.
Love this, Amanda! Our house is constantly littered with books, sheet music, art supplies, and the remnants of a home cooked meal–and I couldn’t be happier! (Except when I’m not–haha! It does get to me sometimes, but that’s why your reminder is so appreciated.)
I have never thought of it this way, but I love it!! I was just lamenting to my kids that the day after all the deep cleaning got done and the kitchen floors mopped there Is now play dough remnants everywhere. Good reminder!
This was so encouraging! Love it.
I love it! Next time I can’t quite close the cabinet door on the craft supplies, I will just shrug and think, “What else would you expect from a workshop?”
I went to a Power of Moms workshop once and heard the phrase, “Clean enough to be healthy–Messy enough to be happy!” We now have that painted on the wall to remind me that the relationships and the feeling in the home matter more than the appearance of the home.