The timing of finding a sustainable couch option earlier this month and the sudden transformation of said couch into a work space has caused me to infatuate about an entirely brand new living room. Part of the plan for finding a used Ikea Soderhamn sectional on Craigslist was to revamp what we found to be a sustainable option into something that was aesthetically pleasing as well. After ordering a Bemz linen cover in silver grey and natural wood legs, which I felt would give it a Scandinavian mid-century modern vibe, I started to wonder about what other improvements in the room I could do.

Hence, large bits of my free time have been sullied into scrolling social media for inspiration as I fall down a digital rabbit hole on my way to remodel wonderland. And while I sit here pining away at wood based decor, ethically-sourced rugs, and modern cat furniture (yes, we went down that rabbit hole as well), I can’t get myself to pull any triggers. Because on the flip-side, I am also itching at the thought of paying down my student loans aggressively. At 0% interest rate, it would behoove us to pinch pennies and funnel what we can into a metaphorical envelope for the day when we return back to working-like-normal. At which time we would pay all of the money we’ve saved to dramatically decrease my student loan debt before the interest rate returns back to normal again on the last day of September.

So as I sit on my “new” couch awaiting its pretty covers, I do nothing else but daydream of Saharan hues and of buying my financial freedom instead of a new room. The couch has been, for years, the only thing this room needed. Having practiced making-do, I don’t exactly lament the lack of a remodel. If anything, it’s been quite a stressor considering all the possibilities. Rather, I perceive it as an opportunity to appreciate our newest addition to its fullest, without any distractions. I find that adding too much can detract from what you already own. If I rode this wave and bought a side table in the form of a stump, artwork in the form of pillows, and a rug for the cat to scratch, well, I’d sit here put-putting around worrying about spending enough time and attention on those things without being able to just sit on the couch. Whether that be reading a book, watching a movie, writing this blog or doing nothing, the new things would rob me of a simple enjoyment. So I’ll choose to do nothing.

In this journey, I’ve found that making a house a home is a process of learning who you are. After years of gate-keeping, I have found that this is, in fact, who I am.

But a girl can still day-dream of a desert-themed living space. As an ode to what I’ve been up to:

+ A neutral rug as a haven from cold cement floors.
+ Art in the form of pillows.
+ Tree tables for ceramic vessels.
+ A rattan chair to remind me of home.
+ Comforting touches for aforementioned tables and chair.
+ Space for a Feline.