9 Ways I’ve Changed in the Year I’ve Owned My Home

It was one year ago, give or take 2.5 weeks, that I was handed the keys to my very own home.* I was so crazy fortunate that first day and weekend to have so many of my friends and family members crawl out of the woodwork to scrub walls and cabinets, paint ceilings and pretty much every wall, knock out a handyman’s list, and move me out of a third-floor walkup and into my home 15 minutes away. It still makes me emotional to know that I am so very blessed in that way!

I love that this place is mine and that my 80-year-old home and I are growing up together. But, becoming a homeowner has changed me in a bunch of ways. Here are 9 of those:

1. I’m such a homebody.
   My home is my safe place and I love trying to use every inch of it.
2. Keeping up conversations with HVAC professionals, the bug guy, an air duct cleaner, chimney sweeps, window replacement men, and handymen is A PIECE OF CAKE. Just kidding; I’m still really naïve when it comes to a lot of technical home conversations, but I’m getting better at asking educated questions.
3. My $$$ leaves my bank account quicker than ever before.
   At least in the first year, I’ve prioritized making my home our home that we crave coming home to. And things that NEED done now (like tree cleanup when one falls through your fence or when the air completely stops working in the middle of an Iowa summer) are always painful. Any extra money rarely sits for long as my repair, remodel, and décor lists are extensive.
4. My plant obsession is unreal.
   I have space for them all and love the challenge of keeping them alive! Plants make me feel better and bring great color to all the rooms in our home. The roomie thinks I should see someone about the addiction, but he’s not the one trying to keep them all healthy so his opinion doesn’t get much merit. 😉
5. We own an insane amount of random tools.
   Projects come up and you need to be prepared! Our collection, and when I says ours I mean Ryan’s, is huge for two people who have only lived in a home for one year. All the tools are a result of weekly trips to Home Depot and Ace Hardware and our parents gifting us equipment (thanks, you guys!). Not mad about it!
6. I love the outdoors more than ever before.
   The roomie works really hard to keep our yard trimmed and pretty. Once it’s warm enough, we’ll eat every meal on our patio under the string lights with Penny running around the yard. We’re lucky enough to have mature trees and a long yard that backs up to no one, so we spend a lot of time chatting, sipping wine, and looking out into the darkness while the cicadas buzz. It’s bliss.
7. My wardrobe is suffering.
   To be honest, I’d rather spend my money on an amazing piece of furniture or more wine to sit at my kitchen table and enjoy with Ryan. Luckily, I’ve hoarded clothes for years so at least I have some out-of-style pieces to rotate through.
8. Home décor is my life.
   I spend too much time on Pinterest, flipping through design catalogs, and saving images from my Instagram feed. Everything inspires me! (I need homes to decorate, so HMU if you want a buddy or to hire me as your helper.)
9. I (we) talk about and plan for the future every week.
   Our home decisions are halfway ours, halfway the future owners of our home’s. I hate typing that out a little, but we won’t live behind this particular red door forever and our investments reflect that.

Are you a homeowner, too?! If so, can you relate? What’s your favorite part of owning a home? Homeowner life is the best!

*My roomie/tenant moved in around the 4th of July! It was just me, then Penny and I, then the three best friends that anyone could have. 🙂