On the pleasure of following our curiosity, discovering what delights us, and allowing life to take shape in unexpected and beautiful ways.
The Art of Making Room for Life
There is something quite beautiful about the art of making room for life, and creating a feminine little studio in the South of France. What began as the simple pleasure of imagining how to furnish a small space has become something far more meaningful. I find myself wanting to create a home that feels as beautiful as it looks, where every detail contributes to the way I wish to experience my life within it.
A place where mornings unfold slowly, and a small round table becomes an invitation to linger over tea. An antique writing desk sits near a window, welcoming whatever thoughts wish to find their way onto paper, while a comfortable chair offers a place for reading, conversation, or simply watching the afternoon light change.
More than anything, I want to feel at home in the life I am creating, surrounded by things I love, with room for the moments that matter to me and the simple pleasure of being there.
The studio is smaller than anywhere I have ever lived. The kitchen is barely a kitchenette, which is quite amusing for someone who loves to cook and entertain. Every corner seems to have something occupying it, every wall filled with things that leave little room for the imagination to wander. Yet, when I look around, I see so much potential.
The Pleasure of Making Room
What makes this little adventure even more delightful is the generosity of my landlord, who has graciously welcomed my ideas and agreed to make several changes. The tiny refrigerator will be replaced with a proper European-sized one, and the cooking area will have a new induction hob. A new heating and air-conditioning unit will also make the studio comfortable throughout the seasons. There is even a nearly new, full-sized washing machine and separate dryer, stacked together, which feels like quite a luxury in such a small home.
She has also agreed to remove almost everything currently occupying the studio, allowing me to begin with a nearly empty space. The bed, table, and chairs will remain until I find pieces of my own, but eventually, only the open cabinet will stay.
And I love the thought of that. Instead of trying to work around everything that is already there, I have the freedom to imagine what this little home could become. To choose each piece thoughtfully and intentionally. To allow the space to evolve with me, and to create an environment that supports the way I want to live, create, rest, and grow.
There is an empty armoire tucked into a corner, almost asking to be loved. A wall that could become a beautiful place to write, if only it were freed from everything currently occupying it. And somewhere within this little studio, I can already picture a comfortable chair, a small table for intimate conversations, and the pleasure of transforming what initially appears to be so limiting.
The Beauty of Leaving Room
It makes me wonder why we feel the need to fill every available space. Why must every corner hold something, every wall be occupied, every empty place be given a purpose? What might happen if we allowed a little more room for our imagination, for creativity, for the unexpected possibilities we haven’t yet considered?
I find myself wanting to give this little studio room to breathe. To bring softness and femininity into a space that has known very little of either. To play with possibilities rather than accept what is already there, and to discover how much beauty can emerge when we allow ourselves the freedom to imagine something different.
There is something about Rosa rugosa that brings me back to this thought. In a garden, we often decide where everything belongs, how much room it should occupy, and what shape it should take. Yet there is beauty in watching a rose grow according to her own nature, allowing her branches to wander, her blossoms to open, and her presence to become part of the landscape.
I wonder how often we allow ourselves that same freedom. How much of our lives have we arranged around what we believe should be there? And how much room have we left for what might naturally wish to emerge? There is something to be learned from allowing a little more space, not only in our homes, but in the way we live, create, and welcome the unexpected.
I think about how easily we become accustomed to the way things are, often without questioning whether they still align with who we are today. We arrange our days around familiar routines, hold on to things because they have always been there, and sometimes continue living according to ideas that no longer reflect who we are becoming.
The Freedom to See Things Differently
And yet, there is something wonderfully liberating about giving ourselves permission to see with different eyes. To move things around, to let something go, to change our minds, or to follow an unexpected idea simply because it delights us. There is a playfulness in this kind of freedom, a willingness to experiment without needing to know exactly how everything will turn out.
I believe we need more of that in our lives. The pleasure of discovering what feels natural to us now, rather than continuing to make room for everything that once belonged. The freedom to grow in a different direction, to explore what captures our imagination, and to create a life that feels joyful and playful.
As I imagine this little studio slowly coming to life, I find myself enjoying the process as much as the thought of living there. I am looking forward to wandering through the antique markets of Pézenas, becoming acquainted with the dealers, discovering pieces with a history of their own, and allowing my imagination to wander among the possibilities. There is something delightful about exploring without the intention of purchasing anything, simply enjoying the beauty of what catches my eye and the ideas it inspires.
There is no need to have every detail figured out before I move in. I rather like the thought of allowing the space to take shape gradually, discovering what works, changing my mind along the way, and enjoying the creative process without feeling the need to hurry toward a finished result.
Somewhere in the South of France, a little studio is waiting for me, with so much potential yet to be discovered. And I find myself smiling at the thought of all that may be possible.
The Art of Allowing Life to Unfold
As I think of Rosa rugosa, I am reminded of her wandering branches and the beautiful way she occupies the space around her. Not every branch needs guiding, nor does every open space need filling. There is pleasure in allowing things to find their place naturally. We can follow our curiosity and discover what grows when we give it room.
That is what I am most looking forward to. Not simply creating a beautiful little home, but enjoying the freedom to let it become something entirely my own.
And as I reflect on this little adventure, I realize that some of life’s loveliest discoveries happen when we allow ourselves to be playful, to follow our curiosity, and to enjoy an experience without needing to know where it will lead.
And it makes me wonder how often we allow ourselves this kind of pleasure in other areas of our lives. Somewhere along the way, we can become so accustomed to approaching life through responsibility, purpose, and accomplishment that we forget the simple delight of exploring something without needing it to become anything in particular.
Perhaps playfulness is one of the ways we remain in conversation with our soul. It allows us to follow what captures our attention, to become absorbed in something beautiful, and to discover preferences we may never have known existed. There is an innocence in this kind of curiosity, but also a lovely expression of freedom. We are no longer asking whether something is worthwhile because of what it will produce. We are allowing the experience itself to be worthwhile.
Until we meet again, may you find a little beauty in the unexpected and the pleasure of discovering something wonderful along the way.
With love and a little wonder … Jubetsy
