Decorating With Signs
Art or Utility?
Who doesn’t love a good sign? When I walk into someone’s home for the first time and see a sign on the wall that says, “Welcome, " I instantly feel welcomed. I love it when I use a new friend’s powder room, and they have a sign hanging on the wall that reads, “Powder Room,” and even better when that sign spells out specific instructions for both “Ladies and Gentlemen.” I would be lost without signs.
An affinity for decorative signs for the home is not something I am familiar with. Frankly, I can do 20 minutes of standup sarcasm at the whole idea of decorative signs for the home. Like hanging a sign in your kitchen that says, “Eat.” Or the one that says, “Live, Love, Laugh,” a good family room sign. Or if you live near the beach, you can hang a sign that says, “Beach Life,” or if you are in the mountains, you can hang a sign that says, “Mountain Life.” The simple ones make me chuckle, “family,” “friends,” or simply “home.” If you are forgetful or live with an aging parent, these signs could be more than just decorative. They could save lives! “Don’t wander off, Grandpa, see; the sign says, “home.’”
I have long imagined putting Post-it notes on my bathroom mirror; the Post-it would contain inspirational messages or thought-provoking questions. The other day, I came across one such meme that I thought was an excellent candidate for the mirror. It was a series of questions posted online by the modern-day stoic marketing guru, Ryan Holiday; the questions were:
Does anger make it better?
Why do I care what they think?
What if I said no?
Is this necessary?
Am I being kind or clever?
How can I be stronger for this?
What can I let go of?
Maybe I was wrong to turn up my nose at those who decorate their homes with signs. Should decorating with signs be a thing? If so, should the signs be thought-provoking? Or does it even matter what the signs say?
Imagine you woke up this morning with a neuro-link chip in your brain, and there was a program designed to deliver just the right message you needed to hear. The message could be projected on your bathroom mirror, phone, device, television, the ceiling above your bed, or anywhere else. What would that message say? How often does the message change? What do you need to hear?
Imagine waking up and encountering what we need most. How would that change your life?
Be the creator of your signs. You know what you need to hear. Do you know what makes it better? You probably do. And most importantly, I think you already know what you can let go of to welcome all the wonder that has been missing.
Maybe the next sign you need says, “Be courageous.” If you hung a sign in your home, what would it say, and where would it go? Would it be art or utility? Feel free to leave a comment.
Have a great day.