By AMY FREESE
DesignHer Living columnist

“Do not store up for your selves treasure on earth, where moth and rust can destroy.”  Say what?  How in the world is this ‘DesignHer Living’ gal supposed to walk that walk when a portion of my livelihood is all about trends, trinkets, and treasures? 

Maybe like me, you find yourself in the midst of a ‘creative conflict’ from time to time.  As much as I love my treasures, love creating treasures, and sometimes (OK, more than sometimes) even want more treasures, I know in my heart of hearts that treasures do not make for a treasured life. But they do sure make it prettier, huh?

 Unfortunately, there is always going to be a prettier treasure than the ones we already have and if we don’t reign in our reckless retail abandon from time to time, we can find ourselves on an endless peace-robbing hunt and forget what we’re even looking for in the process.

With Home Goods and its relatives in our back yard and Pinterest at our fingertips, how can we not be tempted with the titillating thrill of finding treasure?

I recently replied to a friend’s Facebook post asking if she should get on Pinterest (a treasure trove for treasure junkies) and my response was, “Only if you can discipline yourself to not whittle away your time on it ... and if you can keep from getting yourself discouraged  or discontent  because of all the beautiful things and ideas…”

I spent years traipsing down the treasure laden trinket trail gathering pieces here and there to fill the nooks and crannies for both my home and my clients’ homes.  But trinket run after trinket run just because you can or because you think once you have your house ‘decorated’ you’ll be content can get the rust corroding your spirit real quick if you’re dolling up for the wrong reasons. 

Before you know it you can end up with a lot more fluff than fuel ... and soon you’re up to your faux treated ceiling with more stuff than substance.

When your stuff begins to take the place of your substance it’s a sign that it’s time for a little retail rehab with an appointment at the soul searching spa.

My rehab and spa appointments took place a few years back when I painstakingly withdrew myself from all things creative; my decorating clients, and my own desire to create.  The creative juices that once flowed so freely all but dried up.  It was time to step away from the breakables and pull up a seat for a different kind of design consultation and get real with the treasures of my heart that promised to outlast any trend.

What did I walk away with after that soul searching spa experience; fresh eyes for seeing the true treasure that was buried beneath the faux treated walls and creative juice waiting to flow!  

Most often it’s when we step away that we are able to return and emerge again with renewed energy, passion, and promising perspective.

How exciting and energizing it is to create again for myself and others with fresh eyes  for the beautiful that can be present when our treasures become about so much more than the latest baubles and bling. 

The stuff of life doesn’t define or tell the world who we truly are.  Only the love, compassion, and peace we share with one another can truly decorate a heart and home creating not conflict but a treasured life … oh, and maybe a pretty bauble or two!

Amy Freese is a life and style expert. Contact her at amy@designerherliving.com or visit her website at www.amyfreese.com.