Good Enough: Embracing the Messy Middle of Life
Discover why happiness doesn’t require a perfect home, perfect life, or perfect plan. In this honest, relatable take on embracing the “messy middle,” Shannon & Shelbee share how good-enough living, thrifted decor, and owning your real journey can help you find joy right where you are.
Shannon & Shelbee
12/4/20253 min read


Stop Waiting for Happiness
Listen up, ladies! Do you find yourself saying, “I’ll be happy when…”? You know, the infamous list of conditions we all create: I’ll be happy when I have the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend, or the Pinterest-worthy apartment. Spoiler alert: Life isn’t a fairytale, and waiting for those glittering moments is a one-way ticket to Disappointment City. Life is too short to live under conditions we set for ourselves. The truth is, happiness often finds us when we stop looking for it so desperately. Let’s talk about being good enough right where we are, right now! It’s essential to recognize that we can cultivate joy in the present moment without needing an external validation or a perfect set of circumstances.
Messy Homes & Messy Lives
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like your home doesn’t measure up to Instagram standards. Yep, mine’s up too! The truth is, our spaces often reflect our messy lives. I decorated my first apartment with treasures found at Dollar Tree—legit. From toilet paper to dishes, I made it work! Who needs $300 throw pillows when you can have creativity? You see, thrifting and being resourceful not only taught me how to create a cozy space but also shaped my attitude towards life itself. It’s a life lesson: messiness is part of the beauty of living. Life is inherently messy, filled with joys and struggles, and guess what? That mess doesn’t diminish your worth! Every wrinkle, every unorganized corner, tells a story—and those stories weave together the fabric of our lives.
Owning Your Journey
So, let’s stop the comparison game, shall we? It’s exhausting! Just because someone else’s life looks picture-perfect online doesn’t mean yours should be too. Instead of chasing that “influencer illusion,” let’s celebrate our unique journeys. No two experiences are the same, and that’s what makes us fascinating. Whether you grew up with nothing or just feel a bit off balance, remember that you are enough! Learning to love yourself in the messy middle is a superpower—you may not have it all figured out, but you’re still fabulous. Embracing the chaos is part of what makes life exciting and authentic. And let's be real, imperfection is relatable. It creates connections and fosters empathy among us.
Embrace your quirks, wear that vintage outfit you thrifted, and enjoy the little victories. Maybe that means splurging on a fancy coffee or finally mastering that one dish you’ve been scared to try. These moments matter! Life is about the moments that make us feel alive, not just goals that we check off a list. It’s those little joys that paint our lives with color. So, let’s break free from perfectionism and own our journey! We all have our own rhythm and path to follow, and that’s where the magic happens—when we stop conforming and start expressing our true selves.
Conclusion: You’ve Got This!
In conclusion, let’s stop waiting for the stars to align and start living fully in this messy middle we call life. You’re more than enough just as you are. If you’ve learned anything from my journey, it’s that creativity and sass can go a long way, transforming both our lives and the world around us. So, if you’re feeling good enough today, good! And if not, I’m right there with you. Let’s laugh, cry, and create our beautiful messes together. Who’s with me? Remember, every setback is just a setup for a comeback. Together, we can celebrate every small victory, support each other through the challenges, and embrace the wild, joyful ride that is life.
Love,
Shannon & Shelbee