Country Road to Inspiration

I’m really more of a city girl. The indoors type. I admit it.

You might think that someone who owns a vintage shop is more naturally drawn to the slower pace of the country. However, I love the buzzy energy, culture, and modern conveniences that cities offer.

My husband, on the other hand, is a country boy.

Travis’ dad is a farmer, and he and his mom live in a quiet little town near where I grew up. At first, the farm- with all of its dust and bugs and potholes- really didn’t do it for me.

The backwoods are a charming look for Luke Bryan, but hoppin’ in the back of a pickup truck sounded better in a song.

Millions of people love the country. All of my in-laws sure seemed to. But the whole thing was honestly very uncomfortable for me, and I found myself feeling irritated and alone in my feelings when we’d visit. As someone who is usually very upbeat and optimistic, I hated feeling like I had a bad attitude.

I wanted to enjoy and be inspired by the country. I really did. But it’s difficult to be magically swept away in a brilliant idea when you’re angrily swatting flies.

Over time…maybe it was personal growth and maturity. Maybe it was all of the homemade rolls…but somewhere along the way, I started to relax a bit more on our trips home. I began to see beauty, grit, and warmth. The rusty gates opening to large open pastures. The worn quilt to wrap up in at grandma’s house. The old piano, which the kids inevitably play too loudly.

Sometimes, the road to inspiration is very short, like from the car to an antique mall. Or from the couch to a Pinterest board.

However, my journey from country to inspiration took years.

Looking back to try to unlock the secret to how I got here, I realized that it was only when I let go of my resistance that I was able to feel more at ease. That ease allowed me to have more of an open mind. Open-mindedness led to appreciation. Appreciation led to intrigue, and intrigue led to inspiration. It was only through going through this process that I realized- sometimes inspiration doesn’t strike. It simmers.

There are many opportunities, like trips to the farm, to find joy, if we can allow ourselves to break down the walls of frustration and be open to what’s in front of us. Bugs and all.