Krissy, it sounds like you know *exactly* what I'm talking about! It's such a balancing act, isn't it? I hate to spend energy worrying about what others might think about the state of my house—I'd rather be someone who spends time with her kids and derives joy from cooking and gardening, etc. than someone with a perfectly clean house. At the same time, as you point out, we need spaces we can turn to for comfort and rest. Let me know how you manage the balance!