Finding a Sense of Home + Friday Favorites
I have to be honest–this has been kinda a rocky week for me. There’s been a few things going on behind the scenes that I haven’t really talked about, plus I’m struggling to find a sense of home here at the new house. In a lot of ways I really miss the old house and I’m just not feeling all that connected to this new place. I know that will take time, but I feel super guilty about having those emotions. This is a beautiful home and many of our dreams have come true with this property, but it just doesn’t feel like home yet. I’m not there yet in my heart, which worries me a little considering we’ve been here a month already. It’s a weird spot to be in, but I’m hoping that feeling comes soon–especially as we do more projects that make it feel more like us and give this place more character. That’s the struggle with new build homes–they lack that old house charm and character that I love so much. Now I have to figure out how to add that in as much as I can! Anyway, sorry to ramble. Let’s get on with today’s post–I have a few random tidbits to share today today for Friday Favorites!
chairs // rug // chandelier // mirror // storage cabinet
Random favorites from the week:
- I started putting out a teensy bit of fall decor this week. I just did a few pumpkins here and there, but I plan to do the porch this weekend and then hopefully add more in the house. I’ll share that soon!
- I ordered this carpet spot remover on Amazon earlier this week and it’s AMAZING. It took a couple of old stains out of my rug and it even took spots off my dining chairs. Highly, highly recommend.
- Lately I’ve been doing a lot of Google-ing on the benefits of apple cider vinegar, so I ordered these gummies from Amazon and I love them so far–they help with appetite control and bloating. I’ve also been taking these elderberry drops for extra immune support.
- The drywall was finished in our basement this week! I’ll share an update on that soon, but I cannot wait to get that space finished. It’s going to almost double the size of our house.
- I’m still OBSESSED with this So Pumpkin sugar scrub from Tula. I seriously use it every single night and it’s quickly become one of my very favorite Tula products everrrrrrrrr. It legit smells like pumpkin bread!! (SARAHJOY saves 15%)
- My favorite set of baskets is back in stock!!
- The Amber Lewis home collection just launched at Anthropologie and it’s all so pretty.
- Our beams in the living room are hopefully, hopefully, hopefully getting installed in the next week. They’ve been pushed back a zillion times for various reasons, but it’s happening soon and I’m so excited. Here’s a sample of what they will look like:
Well that’s a wrap for me today. Thanks for being here with me on the blog every day. I truly appreciate your support, encouragement, and love. It means so much to me! xo
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The Comments
Kelly
I completely understand how you feel – I sold my house for different reasons and moved temporarily to an apartment. I horribly miss my home and is very hard seeing all of the changes my buyer has made.
Donna
I get it, and we moved from a less than desirable rental home to our current home, and it still took me almost a year. You will get there. As you start to make memories at the new home
Mona Brandt
Sarah, Change is always hard. It’s normal to miss your old home.
Now you will make new memories and still remember all the special times of your first home.
I look forward to seeing all the things you do with your new home. Here is to happy decorating in your new home!!
Kim
I am super excited to see those beams!! Please share the info when they go in.
Jan
You still have so much work going on just to get to the stage where you have no builders, so it’s not surprising it doesn’t feel like home at the moment. But you will soon start to feel more settled and the house will feel truly yours. Doing something you usually do at this time of the year like autumn decorating will help too. Don’t forget you’ve done one of the top 5 stressors and all in the middle of a pandemic. That’s pretty amazing in itself. Good Luck!
Tori
Sarah,
We have moved 10 times in 25 years and I can tell you sometimes you feel a peace and at home right away, sometimes it does take awhile. Give your self some time to adjust. It sounds like you made a really big change, and while change can be fun, exciting and good, especially the anticipation of it, it can also be hard to adjust to. Give yourself a year or more- go through each holiday and birthday and as you make memories with your loved ones the house will become your home . Thanks for the fun and encouragement that you send out every week!
Tori
Kristyn
I totally get it! We just moved two weeks ago and I LOVED our old home, but it was too small for our family. I love our new house, but it doesn’t feel like home yet. It feels like we’re on vacation and we’ll be packing up to go ‘home’ one day. I have to admit – when I see your pics of things unpacked and decorated, I am so jealous b/c we still have boxes everywhere, nothing on the walls, and need to buy furniture to fit the much larger spaces! It’s a process for sure, but each day it will feel more and more like home.
Cindy
May I ask what is the flooring in the above picture in today’s blog. Thanks so much! Your home is going to be so awesome! Hang in there!
Tammy Merritt
It’s not unusual that it takes awhile to love your new home. Moving is very emotional, even when you wanted to move. As you make this home yours, with your special decorating, and as you make memories their, you will start to feel the love. Blessings to you as make this beautiful house a home.
Jan
I think that’s a perfectly normal feeling. I have moved a lot but this last move was by far the most challenging. Like you we didn’t have to move and opportunity presented itself and we took it. Our home is custom built, we designed it and picked out everything in it. Once we moved in I missed my old house terribly (this isn’t like me), I even thought about buying it back as it went up for sale again. Anyway, once I realized I couldn’t turn back the clock and started focusing on the house I built things did get better and now 13 years later I love it and wouldn’t give it up for the world. So it will come, your house isn’t even totally done yet. Just try to focus on what you have instead of what you had!! Your home is beautiful.
Anna lancaster
> JanBelieve me i know how you feel,we left a home of twenty yrs.Then i had to live w/ family for 12 yrs. and now i have a new home for the last 6mths. and I’m slowly feeling like home again.Its a blessing to hear that im not the only one that has those feelings.And thank you so much for sharing.
Vicki
Hang in there, sweet Sarah, and don’t feel guilty about missing your old house. You made a lot of memories there, and it was home. It can certainly take time for a new house to feel like home. As someone who moved into a new house last spring, I can say that it definitely takes more than a month. My sister in-law built last year and she felt the same way. It’s overwhelming to get a whole house decorated and organized, and while I love to decorate and had a lot of things to work with, it was still a struggle to figure it out. I’ve been in my house for five months and still don’t have everything done! It doesn’t help that we have all of the added stress and emotions of a pandemic and other bad news in our world, which not only affects us, but others we are dealing with. There are still issues in our new house that haven’t been taken care of due to Covid, and the construction process itself was so stressful! It will get better!❤️🙏🏼❤️
Gina
When all the choas with moving and the construction projects settles, you will be able to relax and fall in love with your new home. God has blessed your family with your dream property, so be thankful and enjoy!
Deb Roides
I can understandable you feel about your new home. I was thinking, yes the character takes time to add into a new build, but it made me think about how home is a collection of memories too. Have you had any gatherings yet? I think the sooner you start creating memories, the sooner it will feel like home. Schedule an impromptu get together and feel the love!
Michele
> Deb RoidesSarah, give yourself some grace and feel all the emotions … It’s healthy!! Your home is beautiful and with time it will begin to feel that way. By the way, I absolutely love your front cozy sitting area!! Have an awesome weekend!!
Bev
I totally understand what you’re going through! We moved from a home and neighborhood I loved after living there for 18 years to a 55 and over community which is actually close by our old house. We have been here 3 years now and have settled in. (We’re considering a move now to South Carolina from here in Pa.. too cold!)Right after we moved in I couldn’t drive by our former home without getting tears in my eyes!
It will all work out, just give it time and as you put your own personal stamp on the house, it will feel more like a home!
Dorothy
Words of encouragement…This too shall pass! Trust me – we moved into our new home last August from a home we lived in for 18 years and had made a lot of memories. This one is a bit of a fixer upper. However, the more projects we complete the more like our home is feels. You are going to be fine. Your home is beautiful – let it embrace you and your family. Make it home like only YOU can.
Sally Brown
Never look back! Just think of now and all the memories you will make.
Sharon
I can totally relate as to how you are feeling. My husband and I moved into a brand new house in 2007 and we just couldn’t get it to feel like home. It took two years and we decided to paint and redo the kitchen (we do all the work ourselves). That helped but we weren’t quite there yet. I would say by year 4 it was home and we loved coming home to it. I doubt it will take you that long – especially once your basement is finished – but these things take time. You will get there. No guilt as you are not alone. And you have terrific sense of style! A side note, my husband suddenly passed away two years ago and now I am figuring out how to make a condo feel like home!
Denise
You inspire so many and have such a good heart. I bet when you add your beams and additional touches it’ll start feeling like home. You are so fun to follow.
Susan
I love how honest you are. It’s tough to admit there are struggles even in the midst of good things. Oh boy, we all struggle in one way or another. It’s good to name it so you can tame it. Blessings on you.
Donna Lendach
Sweet Sarah – A house is a home when it is filled with your loved ones! Please keep in mind that everything does not have to be done at once and everything does not have to be picture perfect for it to be a home. Consider taking a day off from “making it a home” and bake cookies with your little ones or make some homemade Fall-themed projects (paper chains for the kids’ rooms in Fall colors?). You are super-talented and loving. Relieving the pressure and stress from yourself will soon have your new house feeling like home. How do I know? I used to be you, at your age! Good luck, sweetheart.
Hallie
You are real. ❤️
I appreciate your honest feelings and how you were able to share something so personal.
You will get there.
Thank you for sharing.
Sherry
> HallieSarah it’s overwhelming to move into a new home and make it your own. Take a moment and let the house speak to you. Get a feel for it. Please don’t take this the wrong way. It looks like you are trying to fit everything from your old home to fill the spaces in the new home let it slowly become the place God has for you to create a home for your family. There is no need to hurry. Give yourself a moment. You are a talented woman. God bless!
Marissa
Sarah, I have been in my home for almost 7 years and it has never felt like home. I really want the charm of an old home as well. Maybe with more projects like the build ins next to your fireplace and other charming touches you will make it you 100% dream home. Old home charms like build-ins, beams, crowns molding, and a dreamy garden could always help.
Patty Aslin
Sarah….you will get there! We moved to Parker from N.C. 10 years ago into a new patio home and as I look back at where I was in my decorating then and where I am now is night & day. It takes time (as you well know) to turn a new house into a warm, inviting home. Step by step, inch by inch it starts to happen and with every thing you do to enhance your home it will absolutely make your heart soar! Look at photos from when you first moved in with photos of your new beams (when they are installed) and it will spur you on to greater insight into exactly how you envision your new home to be. You are an amazing decorator and in time your home will be just as wonderful as your last house was. Just enjoy the process & progress…..you WILL get there! Patty sending you blessings today 🙏❤️🙏
Faith
Sarah Joy,
You have been so busy making a home, which will always be wherever your family is, you haven’t had time to make a life.
Old routines have gone, new routines are forming. Old neighbors aren’t there to chat with, but new ones will come. Old memories linger long after they’ve passed, but new memories will be made. When we move on to the new, we always are leaving something behind…that is a loss. You have to allow yourself time to miss what’s behind you, and figure out how you will embrace what’s ahead of you. Being on property that big can make you feel a bit isolated. Maybe spend a day with your family just driving around this new town and getting more familiar with it. The more memories you make, the better it will get! Hey, if you have friends with RVs ask them to drive out, bring bikes, and have a camp out on the property. Have some fun ASAP. I don’t know how far you moved, but have family stay overs, make some fun memories. How are your kids and hubby feeling? Give yourself some grace, you’ve been under a lot of stress. To do all you’ve done during Covid which we all feel isolated, is quite a feat. Look to God for comfort, He moved with you. 😬. It will get better, you will make new friends, so will your kids…find a great church if the one you were at is too far. There’s so much going on and you must feel exhausted. Be kind to yourself.
Feelings of home will come once you get thru some celebrations and holidays there. Memories…. our comfort when life gets hard. they give us hope…it just takes time.
We live on property…kids don’t go door to door at Halloween. They do trunk or treat in town, and do a map of homes you drive to…things can be different, but good. My son and his family have 11 chickens, almost a dozen eggs a day…neighbors welcome them. When Covid passes, it will get better. We are heading thru Colorado this coming week…any great food places you’d recommend around West Denver and Boulder? Looking forward to seeing the trees changing, as we go north from there. Beautiful country! Trust in the Lord with all your heart….He has a plan and brought you to this place in your life. You are in a new season of life….and it will pass. God bless, praying for you. 🙏🏻🍁
Pamela
Time, family life events and personalizing always seem to make a house a home. It can be difficult to slow things down when you first make the move. In many ways it feels like it is so important to have everything done….right now! Enjoying that process gets lost a bit. Wish for you and your family, enjoy the journey. All good things. Take care.
Carly
Sarah, I too felt this when I moved a few years ago. For me, it didn’t really start feeling like home until we had holidays here and family spent more time at our house. I think once the holidays come you will find the sense of peace and comfort in your home as your children have their first thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years celebrations! It’s OK that it doesn’t feel like home yet! You also aren’t dont with the renovations so people are in and out of your house constantly <3 much love!
Diane
I am so glad you posted this. I am also having a hard time feeling like my new house is home. I feel overwhelmed for some reason. I can totally relate to needing to add character to my home. I want shiplap and bead board. Lol I know I am blessed. I thank you for not letting me feel alone in this. I appreciate your honesty. 🙏🏼
Betty White
I know what you mean. We lived in our last house for 18 years and the first morning I woke up in this one I cried. I wanted my old house back. I say it took me about 6 months to really like living here. I guess I will feel that way again soon. We plan on selling this one and buy our forever home next year.
TRACY
Aww Sarah you are so sweet! Thanks for sharing about your emotions; mine were the exact same way when we moved into our larger home! Several years later and I still have thoughts about the house being ours and a dream come true true. I often think too of the previous owners “ I wonder if they would’ve liked that change I made “ since they told us if we ever wanted to sell they get first dibs. This house was their second house as they live in CA. And you are right as you put your touch on it it becomes more homey to you as it has to me!! Thanks for your Friday favorites too !
Lori
Your house is becoming a home. It takes time. What is important is your Family is with you along the way. Your blog always cheers me up and gives me inspiration.
I love designing and decorating my home also. Hang in there. 🙂
Bren
I bet once you make some fantastic memories with holidays coming up and all this new house will have its place in your heart.
Sheila Kennedy
Sarah, I truly love the different sitting areas but I would love to see a dining room where that beautiful beaded chandelier is. Is that cute little area just for pretty or will it actually get used?
Robin
Sara, you are doing an amazing job. It is natural to do a little grieving when you move from one home to another. I bet by Christmas you will feel at home❣️ Don’t expect so much from yourself. Give yourself grace!! Love all that you are doing👍🏻
Maria
A few months after I got married, my parents moved from the house we lived in for 13 years. To this day, I can’t pass that house without feeling like crying. Home is where the heart is, but sometimes a little piece of our heart stays behind.
Debbie Cooner
Sarah-
You are truly inspiring to so many! Your blog and posts are my escape and allow me to imagine, dream and plan. You do so much for others…it’s okay to feel and take a breath.
Fran
I know what your going through with the new move 😔 but don’t listen to me when I tell you that after leaving our house out in the country and raising our girls and animals and moving into a new home in the city that after being here 13 years I still am having a hard time with it and at the ripe age of 64 we are building back out in the country and I still don’t know if that’s going to make a difference because it’s still not the house we raised our girls and animals. But I feel I’m a country girl that needs to be back in the open country space! I feel your kids are still young and you will make it your cozy home just give it time! 😊
Jamie
I know exactly how you feel, Sarah. I LOVED our first house, but we outgrew it. As soon as I woke up in the second house, it felt like a mistake. Yes never get into a groove there, my husband hated it, and honestly, it never got better. We loved there for two years and the pandemic highlighted a lot of issues that we couldn’t ignore anymore. We just moved to our third house a month ago and this house just FEELS like home. It gives me the same feelings that my first house did, and our family is happier.
Tracie Jones
I found it so encouraging to making it a home in our house to pray to God about His help in making it a cozy home and His making the feeling of home where I didn’t quite know how to begin to. I let him shoulder it, and I love decorating and actually thought maybe it was not the thing to bring in prayer, but I did and am glad. I felt like every time I prayed, I would go out and find something incredible barely hunting for it, to make it look and feel more serene here and more homey. I prayed about finding a special really homey dining table for $100 or less around Thanksgiving one year, and I immediately found the most beautiful one for $100 that could have fairly been priced $800 but was $100. That was my maximum budget. I am so glad. It actually turns out it is an older Pottery Barn table. I got it in a thrift store. It is my favorite find. I love how it ups the cozy factor here.
God supplies all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. I prayed for the cozy factor, my heart at peace and to feel at home, the essential need for a dining table, the feeling of home, peacefulness, and really it has all come or is coming, though not all of it at once. I think bring your heart to him not quite feeling at home yet, too, and He will help with that, too. 🙂 It takes time for it to feel right, too.
I think few people feel instantly at home when they move. It is so good you shared vulnerably instead of saying “I feel amazing.” He has blessed you with a special new place, and He has your heart with this, and that is going to make a difference. 🙂
Gayle N
> Tracie JonesHi Sarah,
Your home it looking wonderful, you always make things look so cozy! When you figure out the spaces it’ll feel better. The feelings you’re having are pretty normal, it definitely takes time to adjust. Moving house is a big deal!! I always put a large wall clock or a piece of art work or family photo gallery or open shelves in a space to make it feel more like home. A suggestion too….in your front entrance have you thought of putting some sort of dividing wall to define the entrance and the front room? Not a “wall” exactly but maybe a long console or floor to ceiling open shelves It could create more of an “entrance” just a thought!!
It’ll get better when you put all the things you love in a home (Shiplap etc!!) into the spaces. God is good for providing us with wonderful families and comfortable homes to live in. When I’m feeling down about projects we haven’t completed around our home I stop and give thanks to our amazing Lord for all His beautiful creation around me. I thank Him for His gracious hand in every circumstance. I thank Him for my health, the health of my family. I thank Him for clean water and food to eat everyday. I thank Him for a comfortable warm bed for me and my children. I just give thanks for everything around me!! It definitely puts everything into perspective. It’s lovely to have nice things and the comfort of a beautiful home, but we must always remember that we’re just passing through this world….our true home awaits us! What a glorious day that will be! No more pain, no more tears just eternity to praise our awesome God!! Take courage! 😁
Janet McCoy
I know exactly how you feel. Moved into this house 3 years ago and moved my mother in with me, so we combined things. This won’t ever be my home; I like it but it’s not home.
Linda
Give your home time to feel like you. It took six months for us. Your place is beautiful just let it speak to you so t rush it.
Rhonda Cesana
I love your honesty and transparency. I’m praying you are filled with peace and joy as you enter this new season, and that God floods your heart with love for your new home. Perhaps in the interim there is something to learn from Him about the source of our joy. Blessings!!
Allison
It does take time for you to settle in. Soon you will make wonderful memories there. I’m sure your dream home has had its surprises…like school pick up line and lost deliveries. One of these days, you’ll look around and you will know you’re content and “at home”. 💗
Gayle N
Hi Sarah,
Your home it looking wonderful, you always make things look so cozy! When you figure out the spaces it’ll feel better. The feelings you’re having are pretty normal, it definitely takes time to adjust. Moving house is a big deal!! I always put a large wall clock or a piece of art work or family photo gallery or open shelves in a space to make it feel more like home. A suggestion too….in your front entrance have you thought of putting some sort of dividing wall to define the entrance and the front room? Not a “wall” exactly but maybe a long console or floor to ceiling open shelves It could create more of an “entrance” just a thought!!
It’ll get better when you put all the things you love in a home (Shiplap etc!!) into the spaces. God is good for providing us with wonderful families and comfortable homes to live in. When I’m feeling down about projects we haven’t completed around our home I stop and give thanks to our amazing Lord for all His beautiful creation around me. I thank Him for His gracious hand in every circumstance. I thank Him for my health, the health of my family. I thank Him for clean water and food to eat everyday. I thank Him for a comfortable warm bed for me and my children. I just give thanks for everything around me!! It definitely puts everything into perspective. It’s lovely to have nice things and the comfort of a beautiful home, but we must always remember that we’re just passing through this world….our true home awaits us! What a glorious day that will be! No more pain, no more tears just eternity to praise our awesome God!! Take courage! 😁
Erin
We moved into our new home in 2017 and I went through periods of saying I was still in the “dating” stage with it. After I awhile, I became engaged to the house. Now, in 2020, I can say we are married! It takes time to make it yours and to feel a connection. It also will get better once you make memories with your family in the new home. You will get there!
Donna J Ryan
Good Morning Sara, my heart hurt just a little bit this morning as I read your post. I can truly relate to your feelings of not yet belonging in your new space. As I sold my Farmhouse and moved closer to Family, took over my parents Old New Englander, revovated to my Farmhouse style. All my favorite things are here in this home. Its beautiful, yet it does not feel like home YET either. Its been 4 months. But everyday I wake up, I know being near to Family is the right environment for me as I am probably at least 30 yrs. Older than you. Everyday I hope to walk through these doors and that feeling will hit me like a ton of bricks!!
Keep your spirits high, soul cleansed and know this choice was for YOUR FAMILY to make all those dreams come true. It will happen. Follow your posts everyday. You’re an amazing young Woman.
Jenn
Sarah,
Moving is so stressful. I completely understand being a military spouse. Give yourself time to put down roots in this new space. I pray that with the upcoming holidays you and your family can begin to make new memories. I always felt more grounded in a new home by getting into the community. I know covid might make that difficult but I am sure there are safe outdoor things to do with the kiddos. . You’ve got this! God’s got the plan. Jenn
Kathleen
Sara, I believe a house absorbs the spirit of the people who live in it long term. It’s going to take a while for that to happen, so be patient and happy as you make it yours. I have done my share of moving and if I don’t like the feel of a house it’s not considered.
Kathy
Thanks for sharing you thoughts on not feeling “home” yet. I moved to the Seattle area 9 years ago, and it took me quite a while to be at “home” here. Someone likened it to twirling as a kid, then laying on the grass till the clouds stopped spinning. I was so focusEd on the move and getting my things settled (twirling) that I wasn’t giving myself time to bond and really connect with my new environment.
It’ll come. I enjoy your blog, stories and insta. 💕
AnnTN
I started taking Goli gummies since I had seen them advertised and recommended by so many. I did notice a couple of things it seemed to help with, but the one thing I noticed is that they really gave me heartburn. I’m not sure I’ll continue to take them. 🙁
stzgists
moving from your home can be pretty disorienting at times everything will just seem lost and out of place nut normally with time, it will get easy. I have not moved from my home but at times I get that feeling that if I have to move it will really take some strength to leave.
Ivory
I’ve been looking for wood beams like this, can you give information where you purchased yours? Thanks!
Sarah
> IvoryMy contractor ordered them from me and I’m not sure exactly where he got them. I’m sorry!
Diana
I know how you feel. We sold a home we lived in for 24 yrs, to a new home in another state. I finally felt comforable and “at home” after almost 8 mos. I still miss my old home, but my new home has now grown on me and I love where we live. Change is always hard. Everything takes time, but eventually you will build new memories..it will happen, ❤❤