Voice of Reason
I need a voice of reason in my life.
I sometimes end up creating more work than I need to because I want every little detail to be perfect. I spend a lot of time and sometimes money on things that might not really make that much of an impact on the “Big Picture”.
For instance, 2 houses ago, I retextured the entire house because I hated the orange peel that was on the walls. I hand troweled 3800 sq. ft. (a good part of that was 18′ in the air) of walls. Then I sanded and primed and painted the whole thing. I gave my elbow bursitis! After weeks of work, I had new texture and color. It looked good! But, was it worth the work? Was it a good “Bang for your Buck” project. In this case, “Bang for your Bursitis”? Was it worth the time it took away from doing other projects that definitely would make a big impact? In hind site, I can answer that with a resounding, “Nope”! My time would have been better spent on other things.
It’s not that I’m addicted to Doing Everything Myself! It’s just … I want what I want, and doing it myself is usually the only way to go about getting it.
So, here I am, trying to get past the couple “minor” things that drive me crazy and just make this house work! I’m trying hard to overlook that 6 feet of wasted wall space in my Master bathroom because the door to the closet swings in instead of out. I’m trying not to notice that pocket doors in a few choice places would abate the annoying completely useless pockets of space all over the house.
I’m trying hard to ignore my burning desire to “think about” moving doors, putting in pocket doors, ripping out the kitchen wall, replacing all the flooring, completely redoing the Master bathroom and the kitchen! Because I’m just not sure that would be the best use of my time and resources. But I have a problem with wanting everything “just so”!
I know perfection is impossible — but I still want it! Is that so wrong?
Go for it!!!! I envy you that you can do it all yourself. I would LOVE to build a built-in bookshelf but I have NO IDEA where to begin. The question is, How long are you going to be in this house and are you going to enjoy it in the end?? If you are planning on staying there awhile and will enjoy the end project then balls to the walls and get going!!! Love all your projects and wish I had have the vision you do.
“I sometimes end up creating more work than I need to because I want every little detail to be perfect.
It’s not that I’m addicted to Doing Everything Myself!
It’s just … I want what I want, and doing it myself is usually the only way to go about getting it.
But I have a problem with wanting everything “just so”!
I know perfection is impossible — but I still want it!
Is that so wrong?”
I couldn’t have said it better myself…I sooooo get this! It sounds just like ME…glad I am not alone 🙂
You just might be my voice of reason, because now I know I am not crazy to think like this!!
little things like that bug me too – we sound like we could be sisters! We bought a house and completely remodeled the entire thing and three years later I want to paint this and add that and take out this – and we aren’t even completely finished yet. I am nuts – I just know it and accept it my husband does too and we are all good – just do what makes you happy and don’t worry if it isn’t all done RIGHT NOW! (that is my problem!)
I like to write all of my wants, wishes and needs down and then prioritize. Sometimes just seeing them on paper and actually having to number them makes you think better of an idea, or realize that there are other things out there you would rather spend time and money on. You can have a list for the house, but also a list of other priorities…getting to know the new city, doing things with the kids, connecting with neighbors, etc. Do the top ones on each list for a balanced approach. Good luck!
Glad that my perfectionism is not in my house, but it is in my sewing.