Normalising Normal: Real Homes, Real Lives, Real Joy

There’s a quiet shift happening online—more and more people are beginning to crave something honest. Real homes, real lives. Real, imperfect, everyday moments. We’re starting to push back against the endless scroll of curated perfection, the beige kitchens, the restock routines, the glow-up culture. And I get it. Because real life? It looks nothing like that. And maybe it’s time we start normalising normal again.

And while I often share calm corners of our home here—sunlight on the kitchen table, a cozy nook, a freshly baked loaf of bread—I hope it’s always clear that this account, and this blog, come from a very real place. Yes, I love beauty and softness and quiet, but I don’t share them to impress anyone. I share them because they bring me joy. Because I believe in noticing the good where it is, and in building a life that feels like your own.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this isn’t a show house. It’s our home. It’s full of colour, full of life, full of things that make us happy. It’s not perfect—and thank goodness for that. It’s real. It’s lived in. And more than anything, it’s ours.

What does “normal” even mean anymore?

In our house, normal means navy paint on the walls because I love it, even if others think it’s “too dark.” It means a fridge covered in school notes, reminders, magnets, and doodles. It means LEGO on shelves, sometimes on the floor, and definitely on the kitchen table more often than not.

It means laundry baskets that refill almost as quickly as they’re emptied. It means practical corners with slow cookers and air fryers out on shelves—not hidden, not styled—because we use them daily.

Normal means doing what works. Choosing what brings joy. Creating spaces that serve us, not a trend.

A home that reflects real life

When I look around our home, I don’t see Instagram-worthy minimalism. I see comfort. I see colour. I see books and pottery and artwork that makes me smile. I see a home that has grown and changed with us—a kitchen rebuilt after a major leak, rooms decorated slowly, one at a time, with care and love and what the budget allowed.

Our library wall? I dreamed of that for years. Floor-to-ceiling shelves, painted in deep navy, filled with books and memories. We had a friend make it, from sheets of MDF we had in our garage for years. It took me weeks to prime, paint, and finish—and I’d do it all again. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But it’s mine. That’s what matters.

This life is for living—not performing

There’s something deeply freeing about doing things because you want to—not because they’ll look good in a photo. I didn’t start this blog or Instagram account to become an influencer. I started them because I love capturing the everyday. Writing about it. Sharing it. It’s a creative outlet for me. A gentle way of saying, “Here’s what real can look like. And maybe it looks like that for you too.”

Yes, it’s wonderful to have a community here. I’m so grateful for every one of you who follows along. But ultimately, I do this for me—and for us, as a family. And I think there’s something beautiful in that. We’re creating lives and homes that reflect who we are, not who we think we should be.

Not everyone’s reality—but always real

I know that not everyone has the same circumstances. I’ve had comments before—like the one recently that said, “This is a lovely post, but it’s not the reality for most.” And I understand that. Truly. I know I’m lucky to live in the countryside. I know I’ve been able to make choices that not everyone can make.

But I also believe we can all carve out small corners of contentment, wherever we are. Not in spite of real life—but within it. Not in curated perfection—but in the everyday beauty that’s already there. That’s where the joy is. That’s where the magic lives.

Let’s normalise this kind of life

Let’s normalise:

• Homes that reflect the people who live in them.
• Colours that make us happy, even if they’re not in style.
• Useful corners that make life easier, not just prettier.
• Fridges with magnets, kids’ drawings, and to-do lists.
• Rooms that evolve slowly, lovingly, and affordably.
• Sharing what feels good—not what looks perfect.

Let’s normalise normal.

In the end, it’s about what feels like home

Your home doesn’t have to be perfect. Your life doesn’t have to be aspirational. You don’t need a glow-up. You don’t need all the “right” products or routines.

What you need is a life that feels like yours.

And if you find a little joy in a navy wall, a shelf of LEGO, or a vase of spring daffodils—well, you’re doing just fine.

Chat soon,

Ciara

Further reading /resources:

• The Intentional Homemaker’s Mindset—Letting Go of Perfectionism & Making Home Your Own
• Making Space for What Matters: Small Daily Rhythms to Create an Intentional Home & Life
• THE UNHINGED CONSUMERISM OF “RESTOCK” INFLUENCERS, SO UNREALISTIC! | Influencer Insanity Ep 1 – Hannah Alonzo