When I first moved in I literally felt like I was camping. Where was my stuff going to go? Could I rearrange things? Didn't Mr. Adventure know that kitchen cabinets are not for electronics? I felt like a stranger in a home that was supposed to be partly mine. And I didn't know what to do about it.
Most couples rent an apartment or buy their first home together. Moving in to a space together gives both individuals time to settle and find a routine they like. Making a house a home is supposed to be a joint effort (at least, that's the way I thought about it). Instead, I moved in with my husband 6 years after he'd already "settled"--he long since had his routine and organized his space to suit his needs.
Fast-forward almost two years from our ceremony. I feel like Mr. Adventure and I have changed our home to reflect not just his needs and wants, but mine as well. And yes, there are still electronics in the kitchen, but I was able to rearrange the living room to include cozy literature nooks, so I'm happy. We've both given and taken and worked together. It didn't happen overnight (like I thought it would) and it certainly isn't all done, but I am really proud of our home and I no longer struggle with "camping" anymore. I don't feel like I'm going to "Brian's house" when I pull into the driveway and I think that's what matters most. It's our home.
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Here are some things I learned along the way.
- I had to realize that my husband had been doing things his way for 6 years in a house where he lived all by himself. Yes, he loves me, and yes, he wants me in his life--but it is hard to break 6 years of habits and let another person into a space that had before always been yours.
- We both need our own space. Even in a small house. We both need our own space and this isn't wrong and it does not mean our marriage is falling apart. This was hard to realize. I felt bad for asking for my own space and my husband worried that I didn't want to be around him. We eventually realized we were both wrong.
- I do not share everything with my husband and he does not share everything with me. But we love each other.
- I learned that my husband is one of those people that likes to "stew" on ideas. I am not one of these people. I have an idea, I want to do. the. idea. now. In unrelated news, I'm learning patience.
- My husband is one of those people that thinks if it has a fancy name...why do I need it. But I love my food processor that he finally bought me. I'm glad my husband trusts me to know what fancy food appliances I really will use and what ones will just take up space.
- I should not take for granted that my husband will just like my rearranging his things without asking. (He was quite upset when I thought he would be kinda excited when he got home to see that I had "fixed things" one time) Strangely enough, my man wants to jointly decorate. I suppose this isn't that odd, but I certainly thought it was more of a women's thing.
What about you? Have you ever felt like a stranger in your own home?
5 comments:
I love the door decorations!
That sectional looks so comfortable. :) Also, it's a nice divider between the living room and the kitchen. The HUGE kitchen!
YES to the teapot on the bookcase.
Everything is so cozy and perfect for y'all (based on my perceptions of the two of you from reading your blog).
Also, love the new blog design. Big fan of polka dots. Also approve of the knitting pictures.
yes, I love the kitchen! and my teapot. I love tea, so...when I saw this at Ross Dress For less for like 9.99 I was like MINE MINE MINE. :D Thank you so much! We have worked so hard on our house!
I found your blog the other day and have enjoyed reading your posts, especially your stay-at-home-wife ones. I unexpectedly became a SAWH again yesterday. I was forced to choose between quitting my job or being fired over something unfair (I chose to quit before they could fire me). My husband is making a lot more money at a new job, so I am looking forward to the opportunity to support him at home for now.
Trying moving in with a man that's had 20 years of living on his own. Yeah..But surprisingly, we share everything. That's just us though.
I am struggling with this now. My husband and I purchased our house last December and he has lived here since then. I was living and working a few hours away (we were engaged at the time) and would drive down to spend time with him on the weekends I was off work. I only recently moved in after the wedding. On top of that, we bought a fixer upper - we are living in light construction - which makes the house feel even less homey (a bachelor living in it alone for a year doesn't make it any better). Thankfully, all of my husbands furniture is hand me downs, so he is very willing to make room for new when the time is right. He also wants to help with the decorating, which can be both admirable and annoying depending on his opinion. ;) I, too, thought I could turn this place upside down in one night and sit back and admire my homemaking skills. He is much more patient and practical/realistic. :)
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