Fall Decor … Frivolous?

Here’s a question …

Is decorating your home frivolous?

We may all have different answers, with our own nuances.

I was reading a blog this week. I have been following this blogger for years. She wrote a post about decorating her large front porch for fall. You need to know … she is a Texan and has a very vivacious, over-the-top personality. She lives a “large” life; nothing demur about her. And her blog has a decorating/design theme. ”Big” decorating is a sort of given.

She mentioned after her fall front porch decor post, some people commented on her blog that with everything happening in the world, it was too much!

Granted, her front porch resembles a very well designed pumpkin/floral farm. But it is similar every year. It is her! It is not for everyone, but it is what she does!

The comment struck me. We are not all the same, and how we respond to the world is just as different as each of our personalities. We process and respond uniquely.

For some people, decorating is frivolous and not necessary for them to function at their optimum. On the other end of the spectrum, for some people, decorating is as much a part of their living environment as breathing is to life.

Especially in times of turmoil, stress and tragedy, carrying on one’s “normals” is stabilizing, comforting and one of the most practical ways to support their mental health. Similar to daily self-care: showering, eating, shaving, laundering clothes, etc.

If you are a decorator, runner, baker, painter, knitter, shopper, etc., those practices flow out of you to help you carry on despite circumstances. They bring normality to you. Telling someone to stop those things can disrupt their inner stability. Practicing those norms is exactly what helps them deal with/process/handle life.

For me, having seasonal decor in my home grounds me. It reminds me who and where I am when life feels like it’s strange or falling apart. Today, it plants my feet in the present. It’s typical for me. It forms a piece of my identity. I don’t mind at all if you dislike seasonal decor or any decor. You have other things in your life that ground you in the present: routines, habits, activities.

I realize it sounds frivolous given the tumultuous circumstances in our world. But, everything is not as it appears. Decorating goes further than objects and trinkets, pumpkins and mums. Their presence serve a purpose of well-being. The environment they create give me comfort and rest, making my home and life uniquely mine; my spot under the sun.

Having seasonal decor does not divert my mind from the sadness in the world. The opposite, it helps me cope with it.

Might I do less under some circumstances? Yes! When I don’t have the emotional or physical energy to carry out my “norms”, it often signals, I am struggling. (Or perhaps traveling, which is a fabulous trade off, I’m not home to notice!) But, at times, less is more for me. I would never presume that of others. We all have ways of making choices for our own health/life.

This dear blogging friend should not apologize for the way she finds stability in her life, especially when it’s pumpkins and mums. Some farmers are thanking God for her! She is doing what brings normality to her. That in no way implies she is not aware or sensitive to the world around her. I imagine she’s better at caring for others and responding to the world when her life has a sense of normalcy.

So here are a few pictures of my fall decor this year. I’m in a new home, and that makes it a challenge: nothing has a “normal” spot.

I discovered that my prior dining table decor was looking odd. Then the lightbulb lit: in this new house, I am keeping the leaf in my table, so the decor I used in prior years is to small. Oh yeah! Duh! It took me a few days to realize what was wrong! So, I came up with a whole new option. Creativity gets my brain moving.

Did you notice my new dining room light? This home had a black iron-type light when we moved in. It wasn’t my style. I knew I would replace it in due time. Due time came, and I am so happy with the change. It’s much softer and more modern.

Due time came for my TV too! I have never liked TVs mounted over the fireplace. Until now, I have found an alternative. This house does not have a viable option. I decided the only way I could live with it was to have a “picture TV”. This is a framed flat screen that hugs the wall and comes with art to display when the TV is off; thus, it looks like a picture.

I purchased this one on Prime Day in July! Just last Friday, it took its rightful place on the wall! Trim moulding boxes above our mantel gave us a challenge. Carpentry skills were required to allow the TV to be flat mounted! I’m elated! I can change the picture anytime I want!

Thanks for letting me share my home updates and thoughts. I hope we can all give each other the space to handle life in our unique ways. Most of life has a deeper context than the surface appearance.

Tell us a “normal” in your life?

Share what brings you stability?

Of course, for many of us, faith is a valid answer, but I’m asking about a physical “you” life-routine.

Share with us a favorite fall decor pic, if you have one!

Familiar Fall,

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