the internet: home of wonder and dejection

There is a line between finding inspiration on the Internet in others’ dollhouses and finding despair. A few days ago, I was having one of those mornings where I found the latter.

I like to do my research before starting a project, so a few weeks ago, before my Westville was even delivered, I looked up a few images that promised what my house could be. After it arrived, I dove in and just did my own thing. I finished it, but I was never as happy with the result as my Beachside Bungalow. It was probably my mood when I began the interior design, which was low, resulting in “COVID chic,” all gloomy and shadowy and oppressive. At one point, I even began calling it Murder House because it reminded me of a place with a dark history.

With that as a backdrop, looking up similar homes was probably kind of a bad idea because everyone else’s Westville was light and pretty, and their houses lived up to the kit’s cheerful aesthetic.

Setting aside my dark mind as a conversation for another day, the point is the Internet is a great place to find inspiration, but you can also go down the bad paths of “comparison-ism,” and its companion, “fall short-ism.”

But, luckily, Cardi B was there to throw me a lifeline. Generally, she’s not my go-to gal for advice. In fact, her advice centered on Birkin bags, which are no more part of my world than is Cardi B. But she came across as quite the sage when she said, “… A Birkin don’t make you. Don’t ever feel like you gotta compare yourself. Don’t compare yourself to nobody [on] the internet…” There was a bit more, if you know Cardi B, but I think you get the drift.

Not unique advice, but well-timed, and she’s right. You are enough; your work is enough. The end. I’ll follow Miss Cardi B’s advice with some of my own: If you’re feeling COVID-gloomy, set aside your paint brushes and wallpaper until the mood passes.