Celebrating the Comforts of Home

by Tiffany Edison

Our homes often symbolize safety and security. Additionally, they can be a source of pride and represent a physical manifestation of the memories created within our most sacred environment.

My eldest daughter just graduated from high school. Where else would I choose to host this momentous occasion but in our home, where we can add yet another victorious memory to these four walls? I feel a mix of emotions; in one moment I’m cheerful, in the next I’m anticipating a sense of longing for her as she heads off to college in the fall.

Photo by Taryn Elliott

Life is full of conundrums that we’re not always prepared for, or rather we fool ourselves into thinking that we can handle them gracefully. The beauty of home, in essence, is being able to be completely ourselves. We can laugh and cry privately. We can also choose to gather with those who offer support when times get tough. As I prepare for this party, the feeling that overwhelms me is the feeling of gratitude. I’m grateful for our family and friends, and yes, the roof over our heads shielding us from the outside world.

In this tumultuous period of the novel coronavirus, we’ve been ordered to stay at home as much as possible, for

our own safety and others’. It’s a scary time with lots of unknowns and uncertainty about what will happen next. I’ve been working from home for the past six years, so making this adjustment hasn’t been that difficult for me. However, I know that others have struggled with making a conducive work environment in their homes. That’s not even to mention that it’s highly distracting to keep young children occupied and get any work done. The “work-life balance” has changed, and we might not be the same individuals we once were prior to the pandemic.

It’s a funny thing when choice and free will are snatched out from under us. I’ve spoken to neighbors and friends who feel slighted and upset, and I’ve spoken to others who are relishing their time at home. This fascinates me! As is the case with most things in life, these polar opposite experiences boil down to a matter of perspective.

I’m finding that those in the “happy/content” camp talk about feeling grateful to “take a break” and “slow down” from the craziness of day-to-day life. I myself have found the “slowing down” process to be beneficial to my relationship with my two daughters. Suddenly, we’re bonding more than ever. They aren’t just rushing off to the next activity like whirling dervishes. We’ve slowed down and started doing things like watch Netflix together. They’ve even started building forts together and watching movies projected onto their bedroom walls (though they, as teenagers, wouldn’t be caught dead admitting that!). These moments melt my heart and leave me satisfied at the end of the day. I rejoice in knowing they are home and safe.

Those in the “freedom” camp are struggling right now. Selfishly, I sometimes find myself in this camp as well. I miss the choices I used to be able to make, such as the choice to dine at my favorite restaurant, or to shop with my best friend on a whim. It feels unfair. Yet, I also understand that quieting the voice in my head that

Photo by Vlada Karpovich

ruminates over the lack of personal choice allowed at this point in time is, ironically, a choice.

Our ability to reframe situations can be handled effectively through our self-talk. Substituting something like “I have to stay home” with “I get to stay home” can have a dramatic impact on our mood and ability to view things more positively. It truly is a matter of perspective. I’m working on this myself, choosing to view my daughter’s leaving home as an adventure that she will have for the rest of her life. I’m not focused on her impending absence in our home.

Enjoying the creature comforts of home is a gift when looking through the lens of gratitude. So go ahead; make a blanket fort, celebrate having a roof over your head, and bake some banana bread to boot. Bake up a storm, in fact, and eat as much as you want — nobody’s looking!

Tiffany Edison has been an interior designer since 2002, and specializes in both residential and commercial projects. She holds a Master of Social Work degree (ACSW) and utilizes interpersonal relationship skills on a daily basis with her client base, largely comprised of Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit residents. She enjoys residing in the city and the comforts of home. When she’s not fully immersed in client projects, you can find her on the golf course, a favorite pastime.

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