We just covered the theme of your dwelling, where you live, and what considerations you should have around the home you are looking to either rent or purchase. But what actually makes that place a home?
As it is said, home is where the heart is.
Having a place to call home is much more than finding a place to live. Home is and should be a sanctuary or place of refuge for you, your spouse, and your family otherwise. It should be a place that is safe and secure.
What makes it home, though? Most people will say the people who live there or the unique attributes of the place that make it a haven for you. But this also will vary to some extent from person to person.
Think about your home, what is it that makes it home, or if your house doesn’t feel like a home, then why. Now the purpose of this is not to get philosophical about your dwelling–but to actually think through why you do what you do and what the effect of your surrounding has on you.
You may have family heirlooms, keepsakes, or other sentimental items in your home. You may have images as a reminder of experiences, a design aesthetic that speaks to who you are, or a certain texture, smell, or ambiance that makes you feel a certain way.
Think about what it is for you.
What would those be when you think about what is essential besides having four walls, a roof, and utilities?
The purpose here is to better align your finances with what matters most to you. Having your budget or Plan to Spend actually feed the ideal or essential aspects of how you want to lead your life.
As you look at what is essential in your home, you may also be drawn to what is less than ideal, what is falling apart, or what is broken. If you’re anything like me, the status quo can always be improved, and that applies to your dwelling.
So if your house is not a home, what needs to change? What do you need to prioritize that you are not currently making a priority?
This may be that you have always wanted to have a library to read and reflect, or a pool to have family and friends over to enjoy, or maybe it’s something like a large garage or workshop to work on your projects.
It’s easy to walk through life without considering what matters most to us. I mean, we are innately selfish and probably think about ourselves too much. Still, we are looking at and considering those aspects of life that create a refuge for us or an opportunity to escape in a healthy way.
You may be surprised by the areas in your home you rarely use; the perks of the home purchase that you’ve since realized are of less value to you and, therefore, can recognize better if the space you are in reflects your needs properly.
I see this contemplation a lot in the millennial generation, where people are redefining the space they call home based on the aspects that they feel matter most to them, whether it be smaller, more intentional spaces, spaces that require less upkeep, enabling flexibility, or even spaces that emphasize freedom and adventure like tiny homes. Whatever it is for you, though, define what matters most and double down on that to ensure that what you want and how you budget align.
CTA:
My call to action is to think about your house, what makes it a home, or what needs to change to make it a home.
