My Home Is A Workshop

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.

 

About Amanda Hamilton Roos

Amanda Hamilton Roos was born a little bossy and always really liked school. So naturally she became a teacher. Now that she's also a mother, she has found her passion is helping schools and families work together to help kids learn better. She investigates the nitty-gritty of school/family partnerships at Building the Bridge. Also, since she was 10 years old, Amanda has wanted to be a writer. So she blogs sporadically at Call Me Mandy. She hopes you'll make your 10-year-old dream come true, too!