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Staying motivated

Diary

For the first month, we had momentum. We were an unstoppable force. We ran from room to room ,taking care of the mini-crisises and cleaning emergencies that kept popping up. But now, amidst the already stressful (not to mention dark, gloomy, and rainy) Christmas season, I can feel myself losing steam.

Last night, I painted the kitchen cupboards with the speed of a slug. Sure, I *did* the job, which is important. But I did it without any enthusiasm or excitement. I didn’t enjoy seeing the trim go from gloppy dark green to glossy white. Usually this stuff gets me really jazzed (pathetic, but true). All I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with my book and a blanket.

I think I have hit a wall.

So my question is – how do you guys keep yourselves motivated?

Comments, Thoughts, and Feedback

Kristin had this to say on 12.08.04:

I think we’ve hit a wall also. I think here that wall is called “Christmas” … so many parties to go to, cupcakes to bake, gatherings to host. It’s not a good time to rip out the kitchen floor.

What kind of paint are you using on your cabinets? We’re still trying to decide. I’ve heard arguments for both oil and latex.

Beth had this to say on 12.08.04:

Love your house! So cute with such great details!
Anyway, as for keeping steam…you won’t always have it. The first month is a productive month, but after that, you have to stay in touch with your other interests, and for God’s sake, don’t work on the house every day. It’s too depressing and you become a boring conversationalist when all you can talk about is house (I’ve discovered not many are truly interested in the chats I attempt to start regarding insulation).
We’re on a schedule of working on the house on the weekend AFTER the weekly chores are done (grocery, cleaning, etc.) so that the regular life is not neglected, and only during the week if we feel like it. I also tend to vary the fun chores with the not-so-fun chores (i.e. restoring grout – yuk – and making curtains – fun! – happen in roughly the same time period).
There is nothing wrong with an evening spent with cocoa and a book or the tv.

mindy had this to say on 12.08.04:

Kristen – We’re using Sherwin Williams Pro-Classic in Bone White for the kitchen trim and cabinets. It has good chip resistance and cleanability, and a nice glossy finish. It goes on pretty smoothly, although I have had some problems with drips. They may be caused by my technique more than the paint consistency though :)

The cabinet painting is a semi-temporary solution; eventually we want to totally renovate the kitchen, since the space is not used well.

Beth – You’re right, we definitely need to take breaks from the house. We’re completely obsessed. I can’t even watch tv like a normal person anymore…I just sit there trying to catch a glimpse of the sets behind them for house inspiration!

We have made an effort to balance the fun with the not-fun, which is helping. I like work that makes big, noticeable changes, like painting a wall. I have trouble focusing on projects that aren’t going to be noticed by anyone. Like, the carpet staples…. for a month I’ve been meaning to pull the remaining carpet staples out of the foyer floor. We can’t walk around barefoot in the house without getting stabbed by old rusty metal. But since it’s not a very flashy project, every time I sit down with a pair of pliers to finish the job I get conveniently “distracted” by something else.

Love your site and your adorable house, by the way!

Jess had this to say on 12.08.04:

Mindy,

I definitely agree with Beth’s words of wisdom…

My fiance and I bought a bungalow in August and our first few months were soooooo productive! I even surprised myself: I used to be a slug when it came to any “project” that involved tools. But then things started to taper as we got burnt out. The pressure of “THE List” was really getting to us, and we both realized we hadn’t actually gone out on a date in months. (Trips to Lowe’s do not count!)

My mum–herself a renovator (while she singlehandedly raised 2 kids and worked 2 jobs)–gave us the following sage advice:

1. Projects will continue until you die. You will never finish all the projects.
2. If you do finish the projects on the list, the projects that were at the beginning of the list will need to be fixed or redone.
3. Schedule time for yourself and each other like you schedule projects: otherwise you will end up resenting the house and/or each other.

So by all means, the next rainy weekend, go to the “nicest”–meaning “most done”–room in the house and curl up with a book and hot chocolate. (And your siggy too! ;-)

And Beth, we’re always open to conversations about the finer points of insulation, etc. :-)

Jess had this to say on 12.08.04:

Mindy,

I definitely agree with Beth’s words of wisdom…

My fiance and I bought a bungalow in August and our first few months were soooooo productive! I even surprised myself: I used to be a slug when it came to any “project” that involved tools. But then things started to taper as we got burnt out. The pressure of “THE List” was really getting to us, and we both realized we hadn’t actually gone out on a date in months. (Trips to Lowe’s do not count!)

My mum–herself a renovator (while she singlehandedly raised 2 kids and worked 2 jobs)–gave us the following sage advice:

1. Projects will continue until you die. You will never finish all the projects.
2. If you do finish the projects on the list, the projects that were at the beginning of the list will need to be fixed or redone.
3. Schedule time for yourself and each other like you schedule projects: otherwise you will end up resenting the house and/or each other.

So by all means, the next rainy weekend, go to the “nicest”–meaning “most done”–room in the house and curl up with a book and hot chocolate. (And your siggy too! ;-)

And Beth, we’re always open to conversations about the finer points of insulation, etc. :-)

mindy had this to say on 12.08.04:

“we both realized we hadn’t actually gone out on a date in months. (Trips to Lowe’s do not count!)”

Haha – this is us. Only it’s Home Depot. Time to resurrect “date night”!

karen had this to say on 12.08.04:

Hi,
I ran into the same problem you did about a month ago….. I finally rearranged my bedroom and made it livable ( the rest of the house is a construction zone)…. That way i have at least one room I can retreat to that is not under construction ( its is not finished either but I made it look nice it will be the last room i complete)…. Also when it is too much I get in the car and drive around looking at house colors or go to the movies. I am renovationg a 1929 cottage by myself and I feel like everything is moving in slow motion… but I have started taking the time to step away when I feel burned out….. It will get done ( sooner or later)

mindy had this to say on 12.09.04:

You guys are awesome – I didn’t expect such a response! I think my best source of motivation is knowing that you’re all plodding along on your projects too, and we’re all accomplishing something much bigger in the scheme of things. We’re rescuing forgotten beauty, and saving it for future generations to appreciate.

Phew. That’s my mush limit for the morning, so I’ll leave you with a few good quotes. Repeat these while you’re working on all those boring, brainless, yet ultimately necessary tasks…

“Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory.”
~ Ghandi

“With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes satin. With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.”
~ Chinese Proverb

jenne had this to say on 12.09.04:

My in-laws gave me the best advice when they came to visit last weekend. They have been working on their house for 20+ years.
“The house will always be there”
They finally realized that after awhile and now they go on vacations all over the world, help their kids with their houses, and enjoy life a lot more.
Besides, if there was a time table to all this renovation stuff, then I’m in big trouble :)

jenne had this to say on 12.09.04:

ps., I really love your site. I need to get something done about mine. It’s kinda embarassing – being a college web master, and having a house web site like I do. Maybe I’ll tackle that over Christmas break ;)
[do you think it’s a coincidence? I think I know at least 4 college web designers with house renovations web sites….hmmm..]

Kristin had this to say on 12.09.04:

We, too, have “dates” at Lowe’s. What better way to spend an evening? Hee hee …

Jenne, I lovelovelove the fireplace in your living room! Such an interesting cover and tile.

mindy had this to say on 12.10.04:

Jenne –

Eh, the cobblers kids have holes in their shoes, right? Not having a great site means you’re busy making great sites for others ;)

I love the fireplace too – and the colors you’re choosing for your place. Our last living room was a yellow-gold color similar to the one you’ve got in your dining room, and we’re planning to do something similar in our foyer.

jm had this to say on 12.15.04:

Mindy–

I’m finally catching up on my weblog reading. Everyone here has given GREAT advice.

One thing I wished we could have accomplished sooner…one “done” or at least “well-faked” room to be a retreat from the rest of the house. You close the door on the rest of the to do list.

One thing we learned over time…on date nights, we were too exhausted to have much fun from the work we did that day. So now we have date breakfasts. They are cheaper so it is easier to splurge; we have a rule that we cannot talk about the house or anything related to the house; and we are relaxed and refreshed with each other. It’s a nice thing to look forward to.

Love the site! It looks like you are doing lots of good things in there :)

jm

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