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?
A perfectionist? Who, you?? Say it isn’t so! 🙂
But I kid because I’m the same way.
Hmm, isn’t there some sort of a Type A conference we could meet up at instead?
I guess your first clue was the 20 hours of blog redesigning because one little thing led to another…
I am what I am. Sigh! Maybe we should put that conference together. Like we need any more distractions. 🙂
Oh, Sister! Slow down or just live with all the possibilities in your head for a bit. Take on something small and more urgent for the time being and pace your projects. Some of the best solutions come in time. No need to injure yourself for the sake of perfection either. Bursitis now may equal arthritis in about 20 years!
I am a known enabler but….I think that it is great that you got that done. You don’t want to move everything to do it later anyway. Oh and I agree with the first comment from Dixie. If you are not down for changing doors right now hang curtains and move right along, although I wouldn’t blame you for doing all of this “ground work” first. It is just as important as anything else.
I wish I was more of a perfectionist. I am kind of flighty and artistic operating in constant chaos. So yeah I think that you are fine.
Just a thought maybe you could use your blogging fame to entice a couple local readers into helping. It’s worth a try.
hahaha! Any readers want to come help me? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
I actually tried that on Facebook last week and it didn’t work either. I guess it’s up to me. 🙂
ahhh I really thought that would work. If I lived closer I would snatch up the opportunity. You could be my Mr. Miyagi, and of course I would be your karate kid, minus the karate and plus power tools (unless of course you know karate, but either way I am not hand sanding everything).
at 49 and a week from my second shoulder surgery (other side was done in 2004), I have learned that perfectionism only ends up, literally, hurting me. Slow down and smell the roses, as they say!
I can only say “been there done that”. With age, comes wisdom! LOL!
Yes, I’m trying to remember not to hurt myself. Can’t do anything when I’m in pain. I’m a big baby! Hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly.
The creative mind is a beast is it not??! I am supposed to be unpacking and childproofing and I keep imagining things like barn doors and window seats. This is our first “move in ready” house because my hubby kindly requested something “finished” this go around. Um…yeah is all I can say about that! 🙂
The great thing with new is “they” can enjoy most of the house while “we” work on parts of it. And barn doors and window seats are great because you don’t have to tear anything out first. I’m totally doing a few barn doors too. The problem is narrowing it down to a few!