Clean Up the Inside First

Purchases/additions come second

Left home yesterday morning to run (literally) over to Home Depot to buy a bunch of plants to put outside the front of my house. Thought it could use more green, which I love. About halfway there, though, I realized I was again trying to improve my environment by a) buying something, and b) adding something that is not there. Then I thought about how I kick myself every day that the inside of my home is such a mess. It causes stress and can be a drain on energy. Papers everywhere, stacks of books on the floor, art that still needs to be hung, lightbulbs that need changing, clothes piled up just waiting to be ironed - pretty much a little attention/TLC wanted in all corners.

To spruce up, or “fix”, the inside will not cost any money. It will simply require time/focus/effort. And I need to remind myself that I have the time to do this. The world fools people into thinking there is not enough time. That is a lie.

Improving the inside will also have a much more profound impact on my health and happiness than some outdoor plants, as I spend more time in my home (eating, sleeping, cooking, playing with my dog, etc) than I do in the small front area outside the house, which I just pass by on my way in and out.

Or instead of spending time, I could spend money to have people come iron, organize, and hang things. That would still be money better spent than plants for out front.

For some reason, fixing what is more beneficial and important to me - and cheaper- is difficult. Why do I want to look outside for the fix? And why am I even thinking of fixing the facade before the more lived-in interior?

You see this all the time with people. The inside vs outside of “the house” is no different than a person’s inside experience vs outward presentation. What you feel vs what others see. That new hat, new car, new iPhone, etc. won’t make you happier or more fun to be around than if you do something for yourself that costs no money (e.g., get more/better sleep, fast, get off social media for a week, read a book that’s been sitting on your nightstand unopened for the past year).

And with companies. That next acquisition probably won’t boost your firm’s stock any more than working better/smarter with what you already have and reinvesting in your core business.

As we approach the holidays, we prioritize being together. The temptation can be to buy some cool thing to show off or to signal you’re in a better place than the last time you saw everyone, but showing up as a better you can be done with no extra money spent and nothing added to what you have, just a little time on the “inside” things that make you a better version of yourself. And a better you is a better present than any gift you can buy at the store. If you are truly present with your loved ones, your presence is your gift.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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