$pent Millennial

Dear Reader,

What if we’re already living the dream?

I know—that phrase can feel out of touch, especially in a time when so many are struggling in real, heavy ways. But hear me out: what if instead of constantly chasing what’s next, we slowed down long enough to notice the pieces of the dream that we already have?

We live in a world that rushes us forward. Order now, get it tomorrow. Pay later, scroll forever. There’s little room for delayed gratification, and even less space to simply enjoy the present moment. That pace isn’t just exhausting—it’s expensive. Financially, yes. But also emotionally. When we always need the next thing to feel okay, we lose the chance to appreciate what we already have. And we rob ourselves of the joy of anticipation—of something to look forward to.

This is something I think about often, especially when it comes to housing.

My partner and I are actively saving for a home. We’re excited for the day we can finally post a picture with the #HomeOwners. But lately, I’ve realized: I’m already living in my dream home.

Not the forever home, maybe. But a home that brings me joy, peace, and gratitude now. And that counts.

Here’s how I’ve been embracing our time as #OfficiallyStillRenting while building toward our future:

☕ The Coffee Nook
When we moved in back in 2020, in the thick of pandemic lockdowns, I knew I needed to create a home I wanted to be in. So I turned a bland corner of our kitchen into a cozy coffee nook. I wallpapered the walls, added some shelves and mugs that make me smile, and carved out a daily ritual space that grounds me. (And no, Gen Z did not invent at-home coffee corners—but I’ll let them have their moment.)

🍽️ The Functional Kitchen
Cooking and hosting are important to me, even in a tight rental kitchen. So I leaned into fridge organization, containers that make our groceries visible and usable, and a layout that flows into our small-but-mighty dining area. It’s not perfect, but it supports dinner with friends, cozy meals at home, and even our monthly “kitchen bills & money dates.”

🌿 The Outdoor Escape
Having a small outdoor space—plus access to a nature path just steps away—has been a game-changer. Whether it’s morning coffee on the porch, reading with Rocky at my feet, or weekend walks into our charming little downtown, being outside helps me breathe deeper.

✨ Bonus Features
Sure, the shared laundry room isn’t glamorous. But we balance the annoyances with the perks: a walkable neighborhood, a library we frequent, a cozy local café, and a Mexican restaurant we visit maybe too often. The dream isn’t perfect—but it is pretty dreamy.

Appreciating what we have now doesn’t mean we’ve stopped dreaming. It just means we’re living with the dream, not waiting for it to arrive. And in the process, we’re giving ourselves the time, space, and financial flexibility to work toward what’s next—on our own terms.

So yes, keep dreaming. But don’t forget to look around. You might find parts of your dream life already in bloom.

Thank you for having coffee with me.

Take care and be well,
Everett