Not Just Tile: Why My Backsplash Decision Is on Hold

This morning my husband asked if I had chosen the tile for our kitchen backsplash yet. This isn’t the first time he’s asked. Nor will it be the last. The answer is no. 

Truth be told, part of me enjoys the rustic look of peeled paint and exposed drywall. Particularly on weekend mornings as I sip espresso and put away my farmer’s market haul to the sweet, nutty smell of homemade granola in the oven. I suspect it’s because I feel closer to our dreams of a more sleepy, rural life, all while listening to the faint buzz of yard equipment and the hum of voices as my neighbors go about their lives. It’s like the best of both worlds in many ways. 

For as much as my husband and I talk about wanting to live in a “completed” house, I think we both fully understand that having a never ending list of projects fulfills us. It’s who we are as individuals and partners in this game we call life. Our list serves as a reminder of where we’re going and where we’ve come from. We are creatives. We are doers. We are entrepreneurs. Nothing is ever complete in a world where imagination flows freely. 

That’s the lesson. If we’re living a life of meaning, of purpose and joy, our to-do lists will never be done. To constantly chase crossed lines and check marks is to look over the true essence of life. Nothing in life is static. Everything is temporary. Learning to embrace that reality has helped anchor me in the present moment. Life is fleeting. What’s a few more months without a backsplash?

Sending love and light,

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