Unpolished Beauty
Catalina Prieto
Polished tables, dusted corners, scrubbed floors, and organized sheets–only then may I feel at ease. Yet as I relentlessly try to clean up the clutter, I notice that this home I once called sanctuary has become an imprisonment of my own making. Walls and ceilings that once gleamed have begun to fray; the air inside feels stagnant and thin. The space I once found comfort in now feels like a constraint. No matter how hard I try to erase every trace, stains linger, and disorder slowly creeps back in.
With each passing day, the broom and duster rest quietly in my hand. I start to wonder whether these stains are okay to leave untouched–to merely leave them be. I question whether it’s alright to allow the dust to settle where it may, or leave the dishes out for the day. Perhaps I should start leaving the windows open, where my bedroom curtains may sway, with untamed grace–fresh autumn air permeating my space.
I realize there's beauty in the crookedness of my kitchen table, the accumulated books on my nightstand, and the faint wine stain on my couch from the night I reunited with old friends. Each mark tells a story, revealing a kind of order in the chaos–a narrative only I can understand. There is grace within imperfection, a splendor among anomalies, and comfort in the realization that we don’t have to be exemplary or perform to expectations every single day.
Both inside and out, we aren’t meant to be pristine or remarkable at all times. Like a home with dented furniture, scuffed floors, crooked frames, or worn upholstery, it’s okay for us, too, to be frayed, tarnished, or weathered.
A home without clutter is like an empty canvas, a heart without memories, or a book missing its pages.
Strike Out,
Catalina Prieto
Catalina Prieto is a psychology graduate from Florida International University, a stylist, and a writer currently residing in Miami, Florida. Writing on profound and contemplative subjects like psychology, the universe, nature, human connection, and recollections from her day-to-day observations is Catalina’s passion. Her current writing style could be described as taking her readers on a journey through her mind, guiding them through her unique perception with loops and sudden turns, with the goal of creating thought-provoking experiences. Additionally, Catalina also draws inspiration from cinematography, music, Spanish literature, the value of self-expression, and human relationships. In her free time, Catalina enjoys practicing photography, solo traveling, reading, and meditating.
