Imagine if the wonderful organizations for fighting world hunger waited until they could feed everyone, before they handed out the first meal. What if organizations looking for the cure for cancer waited until they could cure all forms of cancer, before focusing on one.
The lack of decorating in your home is not a world crisis, but I wanted to make a dramatic point about how silly it is to wait. So what if you can’t afford to furnish your whole house? It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a sofa.
Often I hear people say, “I just don’t know where to start.” Well, the truth is it doesn’t matter where you start. It just matters that you start, that you are making progress.
If we had waited until we could afford to do everything in our basement, we’d still be here:
We wouldn’t be enjoying our new family room and my new studio. But, because we got started, we are here now:
So what if the kitchenette area is non-existent, and currently home to our unfinished media cabinet that belongs in the family room?! We’ll get there.
Like with most things in life starting is the most important step. Decorating doesn’t happen over night. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. It matters what steps you are taking to make it your home. Don’t worry so much about getting done. A home is never really done.
This is my new approach for everything lately. For example, last year when my son started kindergarten I felt overwhelmed and couldn’t seem to get organized, so I just didn’t do anything. Well, being partially organized is better than not organized at all. This year I’m taking the baby steps I need to start getting organized, even though I can’t tackle all the organizational problems in my home. I already see positive impacts from a few small changes I’ve made to our command center.
I think baby steps are the key for decorating, too. If you don’t get started, you won’t get anything done. But, if you start, you might find even a small project can snowball pleasantly into other updates. For example, if you take the time to repaint a room, then you might be inspired to hang pictures on the wall or add some accessories. Small changes add up over time to make the place feel more like you. It’s amazing the power decorating has on how you feel when you’re in a room. Start today and make it home, make it you.
What a wonderful post! I have been a subscriber and a regular follower for sometime now, but never left a comment. I totally agree with you…I started with one corner off my living room just to start something. Our apt. is still far from being done, but everytime I look at that little corner (I can see it when I wash dishes in kitchen), it make me so very happy…everyday :-)
Yay, Mavis! So glad you made a happy little corner (and even better that it is what you see doing the dreaded dishes). Hooray for getting started…the rest will come with time.
Haha! Great post, totally agree. I had to laugh because I was reading your dry erase board. I thought it said piano and karaoke. I’m sure your boy loved karate so much more than karaoke. ;)
Haha, Kara. No one wants to hear anyone in my family sing karaoke…yikes!
Amen! haha. If it weren’t for this mindset, I’d still be living in a bachelor pad.
Excellent advice! It’s similar to the mantra I always try to remind myself of: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Thanks for putting things into perspective!
http://thisislifeatourhome.blogspot.com
Nicole, I love that phrase! Thanks for sharing.
This is one of your best posts! It’s so true too. In many things in life, even hard stuff, just starting, and then keeping on as time and $ allows gives a sense of self worth. I think your visuals really helped you get the point out even better by seeing the empty where do I begin look to the now! Congratulations too. You’ve gotten sooo much done in very little time!!
Well I have lived in my home for almost 7 years and I’m no where near done, and the rooms that are done I now want to redo! It does take time and since I have one salary, it takes a lot more time. But that’s ok, I do a little here and there and I’m happy with the results.
Jackie,
What a nice message! It applies to so much more than decorating too. I was having a tough day at work and this post was a perfect message and philosphy to keep me going while I enjoyed reading during my lunch hour. One step at a time!
I really love this, Jackie! I have always struggled with the “all-or-nothing” mindset & I totally agree — it is so easy to let perfectionism paralyze you. We had a ratty old couch in our living room for WAY too long because we were searching for the perfect solution.
Then, a friend gave us his sectional — it’s a little too big for our current space, but you know what? We moved some things around and we LOVE it!! If we had waited for the “perfect” couch, we probably would have spent way too much money & taken another year researching & trying to convince ourselves to take action. Looking back, it seems so silly! Instead, we actually have a cute, comfy living room with enough space to entertain friends. Way better!!
Casey, that is such a great example! So glad the gifted sectional worked out and now you can focus on other things :)