Comparison is the Thief of Joy

The purpose of the services Shore Simplicity offers is to alleviate stress. In fact, it’s in our slogan: “Professional Organizing for Stress Free Results” The irony is, while many of our customers find us on social media, comparing your home to curated social media posts can lead to unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations. This is why we aim for authenticity in every job we complete on site and on our social media platforms.

Unfortunately, most of what we all see on social media is not authentic. Listen, I own a professional organizing business, and trust me, my home does not look like Instagram. Is it organized? Yes. Does it get messy and disorganized and cluttered at times? Umm… YES! And if you didn’t see our somewhat recent post on FB and IG highlighting my messy garage, then please check it out and feel better about yourself, but don’t judge me! 

Most posts on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest are carefully staged, edited, and filtered to look perfect. They rarely show the mess, effort, or maintenance behind the scenes. Did you know Shore Simplicity offers a maintenance plan? Well, for my home, the maintenance plan is ME. Not a magical fairy like my family seems to think. 

Don’t forget that the people posting may have different budgets, resources, or lifestyles. For instance, I have an inherently messy husband, three tween/teen aged children and two entitled dogs. If I decorated and furnished my home in creams and whites, it would be destroyed in a week.

Your home reflects your personality, needs, and daily life. At least it should. Striving to replicate a generic aesthetic may not honor what makes your space uniquely yours. Remember, home is your safe haven, your escape- and that looks different to every individual. I do own one cream colored sectional, but 6 feet of one end of it is always covered with a blanket as a designated spot for those entitled dogs I mentioned earlier. Not exactly an “IG worthy” look, but it works for us as a family because we enjoy our dogs cuddling up to us and I value my sectional that I saved hard earned money to finally purchase once my kids got a little older.

I love the Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Even if your space is functional and comfortable, comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and envy- and that does not equate to joy. I have never shown a client a social media picture during an estimate or planning session. I ask a lot of questions to learn about their individual or family needs and dynamics, focus on their problems and come up with solutions. Real life solutions for real life situations, not a photo op- plain and simple. 

We pride ourselves as a company at creating sustainable organization systems. Many “perfect” spaces on social media are unsustainable in real life, especially for families, pet owners, or those who entertain often. I mean, if I see one more fridge with rainbow colored contents or a closet with 6 hanging items per clothing rod all hanging at the same height, I’m going to start flagging the posts as a scam! Give yourself some grace and keep scrolling.

An organized and decluttered home is an option for any individual or family, on any budget. A truly happy home isn’t one that looks perfect—it’s one that feels peaceful and functions smoothly for those living in it. Embracing simplicity and gaining serenity is yours for the taking.