Last week I revisited our 2013 Home Goals list, and graded our progress on the projects. Granted it was a liberal grading system, since I like to be teacher’s pet. I had thought making a list of specific projects would give me some direction and help keep me on track….turns out, not so much.
That said, my mind tends to race with ideas and possibilities. I have so many things I want to do, but just don’t know where to start. Instead of being inspired, I end up paralyzed. This is true for most areas of my life, too, not just home decor. Laura wrote a great post about actually doing the work, instead of just spending all your time thinking and planning for it.
I realized that’s exactly what I do with every project idea…I make lists, think of 10 different options and ways to execute it, worry which is the best and most efficient method, and how I will present it to you guys….basically turn it over and over in my head and on paper until I’m paralyzed with indecision. I get overwhelmed by the weight of what I intend to to, which is far heavier than the task itself. So it just sits in my brain, creating stress.
I can point to just about every area of my house and tell you what I plan to do “someday.” And I don’t mean just the things we need to save up for, like whole-room makeovers and costly renovations. But the small, cosmetic tweaks that would only require a few dollars and even fewer hours. Why do I leave those for someday? Why don’t I just pick one and start? What am I afraid of?!
So I’m going to adapt Laura’s mantra of, Do the Work…and I’m also going to add on…Just Start Somewhere! With all the time I spend thinking about doing something, I could have already done it. In fact, I could have done it, then done it again if the first time didn’t work out! It’s kind of like having a baby…there’s never a perfect time, you just jump. Did I just compare painting shelves to having a baby? Maybe…but you get my gist, right?
So this year’s Home Goals are mostly the projects that I’ve continually avoided, for no reason other than indecision, and the fear of imperfection. I hope that by stating my plans in writing, I’ll just start somewhere.
1) I continually tell my kids that having a messy room will stifle their creativity, and cloud their focus. Yet, I’m a DIY Home/Craft blogger…and my supplies are a hot mess. They are literally stashed in 4 different rooms, on shelves, and under beds. I couldn’t tell you if I’m out of ModPodge or low on pom-poms. I probably have 5 tubes of the same pink paint, because instead of finding one, I buy another. Talk about stifling and unproductive! I’ve been thinking about organizing them for 4 years, and have pinned countless images for inspiration. Yet this is just a sample of the state of things…
And the funny thing is, we have a spare bedroom with a spare closet! I have the space, and it’s calling my name! I may not come up with the best craft organization solution ever, but I know my first step will be better than this.
2) Every day I stand in front of my jewelry and say, ‘I have got to do something about this.’ But I don’t know what, so I don’t do anything. And then I wear the same necklace/bracelet/earrings every day because I can’t get to anything else. I have some ideas…they might not be perfect…but they are better than this.
3) The yellow undertones of this room have annoyed me for years. There are so many color swatches on the wall, that now the room looks like a patchwork quilt. I may never find the perfect pale gray, but having one, even if it’s not quite right, on the walls, will feel better than the daily (yellow) reminder of my indecision.
4) I remember using this secretary to play ‘office’ when I was a little girl spending the night with my grandparents. It was given to them on their wedding day, and now I’m thrilled to own it. But it needs some love…not just to look better, but so it can last another generation. I’ve been intimidated because it’s so sentimental, and keep finding excuses to avoid it. What’s the worst that can happen anyway? #famouslastwords
5) When we started tweaking Babygirl’s Room last year to better suit her interests, I realized it was her third room design. And our Son has had two since we lived in this house. Guess how many our bedroom has had? None. We moved the furniture in 8 years ago, and that was it. It’s also become the furniture graveyard…you know, the place you stash random pieces of furniture because you don’t have anywhere else to put it? I’ll show you more soon, but it’s time to put our sanctuary on the front burner.
Of course I have a million other small and big ideas, some I’ll get to this year, others I won’t. But just moving forward, starting somewhere, will be a positive step in helping me trust myself and my decisions. In life and paint colors.
Do you get locked-up and over-think things, too? What would you start today if you weren’t frozen with indecision? I don’t have any problem helping other people make choices, why is it so hard to make our own?
LOVE this motto! i have to remember that more often! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I could have written this post! I was just trying to explain to my husband the other day about how my mind races nonstop with home ideas but I get paralyzed with the overwhelmingness of it. And like you….many are extremely small things.
I've never commented before but I love your blog so much. Thanks for all of your ideas and inspiration…obviously you are doing something right:)
So right on! I can completely talk myself out of actually doing a project because I'm too busy planning or afraid of just going with my gut and then regretting it. But the funny part is whenever I'm finally able to pull myself out of my decision paralysis, I usually end up going with my first choice.
If we weren't stuck at home with La Tundra Loca II, I would go buy that gallon of paint for our own sample patchwork wall TO-DAY.
The piece you inherited is amazing – can't wait to see you give it some love!
I am paralyzed by the thought of imperfection, so I often avoid the project instead. Added a screensaver to my laptop a few months back that reminds me all the time now that, "Done is Better than Perfect".
Perfect gray color: Chinchilla by martha stewart. Best living room decision ever!
I know exactly how you feel! We have made-over our kids' rooms so many times and we have never had an "adult bedroom". It's always been hand-me-downs and discarded furniture. We finally got our master bedroom built and have decided to get all new furniture and accessories. It's time we put ourselves first for once. Good luck on doing your projects. I am also a planner. My honey often gets upset with me because I plan so much and have great intentions but rarely get them done.
Ugh, my craft supply looks exactly like that! I need to focus on something that easy, as well. It's only been on my to-do list for like a year! Great post. I can't wait to see your master bedroom tweaks!
This is a major problem for me also…trying to be more of a do-er and not just a thinker. 🙂
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In a room with a lot of light, I've found that Benjamin Moore Moonshine is a perfect pale gray. I consider it a warm grey but that doesn't have browns/tans in it. (In my friend's home without a lot of light the swatch looked blue, so fair warning.) I never see it referenced in the online decor world, but if you are searching, it has been perfect in my home.
We might be twins. I've felt like this a lot lately. Funny how a blog can make you appear that you're actually doing a lot more than you are–or at least that's the way it is for me. Great post.
I could relate to EVERY SINGLE POINT. Our master bedroom is not enjoyable to me, yet I spend almost half of my time in there. Really just painting the walls would be an amazing start, but I just can't seem to get to the store, pick a color, and spend the $35. Once I get started on a project I feel amazing and productive. It's the starting and decision making that is paralyzing!
This just completely summed up my personality when it comes to decorating and organizing my home!! So refreshing to know I'm not alone. I've never commented before, but I love your blog and this post really hit home. Thanks for the inspiration to not be so fearful of failure! 🙂
Great post girlie! Last year I didn't bother making any home goals for this very reason – though I'm not sure I got any more done – ha! I did wrangle the craft supplies – and that in and of itself made me one super happy girl! It also made me realize that I have a ribbon hoarding problem 😉
Story of my life. SOOOOO many things to do around here. Heck . .my kids don't have a bathroom. I can whip out a design for someone else but it's so hard when it's your own home. I have realized that I need to set goals . . tackle one thing at a time instead of twenty like usual.
amen sista. This is my new goal for this year. Stop waiting, and just live.
Love this. My problem has always been, that if I start working on something, something else has to give (like my clean house, manicured yard, laundry, etc.). I have a hard time balancing what has to be done with what I would like to be done.
I just used behr's French silver in our guest bath and it would be amazing in a living room. I too do this. So much thinking about how nice it would be and never getting to it. Maybe I'll make a list and just get to work!
This seems very familiar… all of your belongings and your bedroom are the most disorganized and least finished. I'm obsessed with the parts of the house everyone sees, but my things are usually neglected. I finally have made some progress on our bedroom in the last month or so though! Can't wait to see what you do! 🙂
Boiled down to its lowest common denominator, it's simple: You have too much stuff.
Organization is not the problem. It's like FlyLady says: You can't organize clutter.
I enjoy reading your blogs! As I was reading your blog today I thought for sure your were writing about me!!! haha. I am exactly the same way. I worry more about starting something and not having it turn out exactly right, that I get overwhelmed and never end up doing anything at all. Thanks for making me take a deep look into myself and think about my choices! Good luck to you on your journey to accomplish all your projects!
Thanks for being so candid-I so appreciate the not so perfect photos of a lived in home! It makes people like me feel normal!
Hi Cassie, I've been a silent reader for a while. First of all I love those quotes and agree with you on the overthinking. On an unrelated, or somehow related topic, I just realized I have the same sofa color and I don't know how to style it. I'm thinking on reupholstering it gray but then I really like the pop of color it gives… Have you encounter issues styling yours? Do you suggest me sticking to it? Hugs from Argentina. Julia
GREAT list, I'm excited to read/watch/cheer on your progress! Happy 2014! xoxo
Absolutely! I soooo needed this post today–it seemed like you were in my head when you wrote it. Thanks!!
I'm glad to hear my overthinking problem is not only me. I could tell you what I want to do in every corner of my house, we even have most if the supplies to some projects, but alas they don't get done. It is even worse since my degree is in Interior Design and my house is an embarrassment to my education. We do have 3 small children, which hamper progress, but I could do something. Thanks for the inspiration.
I can totally relate to this post! I'm a total over-thinker too! And so is Justin, which makes things complicated because the few times I'm ready to dive in without overthinking, he wants to figure out the best way to do it in detail. And I totally feel you on finding the perfect shade of pale gray to cover up a yellow wall — we are doing that in the nursery now. I will send you pictures with all of our swatches, if that will help!
Wow did this post hit home! I need to get off Pinterest and put some ideas into action, starting with my craft supplies too!! I like your philosophy for the year ahead!
I can so relate to this. I have thousands of projects racing through my mind that never get done I am a complete over-thinker and am often paralyzed with indecision. Then there is Almost Done Syndrome. I have tons of projects that are almost finished, but not quite. But I get bored or pulled away or I get it done enough to host that party and then after I never bother to go back and finish putting wood filler in the nail holes, or patching those spots that nobody sees but me. But I know they are there and then I don't go back and finish because it would mean getting the furniture out of the way or getting out the drop cloths again. And it keeps bugging me….but I spend many more hours being annoyed by it than it would take to just finish.
ohmygosh, I could have written this post myself. This is SO me. I do this all.the.time. and all over my house. I've been wanting to paint away the builder beige in our main floor for seriously, like, four years but it's open concept so a huge job – but it's just paint right!?
I need to post your mantras on post-its all over my house. THANK YOU. Maybe some nesting will kick in soon to help get my butt in gear. I'm more willing to make babies than paint my walls, haha!
Let's do it!!
Love it! I have this issue when it comes to my business. I remember writing a note to myself last year saying: Don't be paralized by fear. It somehow has a way of rearing it's ugly head before you know it. Thank you for the reminder. Although I do wonder: what would I actually do it ALL my home projects were done? Probably drive myself crazy! Haha. Great and honest post. Much appreciated.
Janeane
http://www.designwithj9.wordpress.com
This is me to a T!!! I think and research and pin until I am so overwhelmed that I am paralyzed. Me exactly. I am also a home design blogger and my office/studio/catch all space is horrendous. That is my first and #1 project of the year. I am totally ashamed 🙂 Thanks for your post, I loved it and I am going to live by it more. I was even paralyzed to start my blog. I have researched to death and designed, etc and then could decided what should be my first post or project. I mean, seriously?? Thanks again and I can't wait to follow your posts and projects!! Summer, http://www.simplestylings.com
Sing it, sister. I often find myself struggling with the same thoughts. I also catch myself delaying projects or decisions…am I doing this for myself or for my blog masses? You know, all 12 of them.
#sopopular
Thanks for always taking us along for the ride. Fwiw, I think you're hella productive, especially since blogging's not your FT job.
xoxo
I am the Queen of Locked-Up. *heavy sigh* …will keep moving forward though – thanks again for the reminder!
I chuckled when I read this especially about the 'clean your room' and being a DIY hoarder that will buy instead of taking the time to look for something – that is soooooo me!! And talking about little projects for months that I could actually knock out in a few hours…sigh! And the whole imperfection thing…Geez!! You have hit this one right on the head! =/ Lovely write up. Thanks for sharing. Glad to know it's not just me. =)
I try to do Apartment Therapy's January Cure…it helps give direction of organizing the little and big projects…
Oh girl it was like you came to me in a dream and read my mind….seriously before blogs, before pinterest…..I just did it. There was nothing to compare it to….no one to think "why did she do that"……..no fear. Now….I am paralyzed I will see something I like more or see an image that had a better idea I can't move forward. I need deadlines to force me to make a decision. Or something….like an intervention.
Signed….."same boat as you".
Right on, Cassie! I've let way too many smaller projects fall by the wayside by simply over-analyzing and wanting perfect results. Boo. ANYTHING is better than nothing at this point. 🙂 You've inspired me!
xo heidi
I FEEL your pain!!! I am such a perfectionist that if I don't have time to do it "perfectly" it sits and looks like a hot mess! PLEASE keep us posted on your progress. Haven't been able to conquer this!!