Somewhere along the way, life became very loud. We are constantly connected, constantly reachable, constantly consuming information, and constantly feeling like we should be doing more. Even our homes—which were once places of rest and refuge—have slowly become another source of pressure. Social media feeds us endless images of spotless kitchens, perfectly organized pantries, elaborate homesteads, and carefully curated lives. The result is that many people now feel exhausted before they’ve even started. But I don’t believe homemaking was ever meant to feel performative. For much of history, homes were simply lived in. They weren’t perfect, but they were cared for. Meals were prepared, laundry was folded, gardens were tended,…