I've noticed this week that I'm stuck.
I have a very long list of things I want to do, projects I want to start but I can't seem to actually begin any of them.
It seems that every time my husband travels for work I think I'm going to finally tackle some projects on my own. You know, the annoying ones that you don't really want to do, but know that you should.
Then he leaves and I start to analyze those projects.
They start to feel complicated and cumbersome.
I start to doubt that I can do a good job, or finish the projects once I start them.
It becomes overwhelming.
The fear of failing or not completing the project paralyzes me.
How do I move past the feeling of self doubt?
Challenging myself has become more difficult as I age.
Before I didn't think about falling.
I just jumped.
Now I can stand for hours looking over the edge. Thinking about all the things that can go wrong.
I've got loads of great creative ideas, but no longer the energy to carry them through.
In my head I defeat myself before I begin.
Is it the wisdom acquired through aging that tells me this will inevitably be harder than I think? More frustrating that I want? More time consuming that I'm prepared for?
One of these "projects" is to re-tile our fireplace.
I ripped the tiles down (well they all rained down on me in one big heavy loud heap damaging part of our hardwood floor) the other night when I decided I'd finally had enough of them.
Now I know where the saying, "heavy as a ton of bricks" comes from.
Part of the brick tiles had fallen off earlier this year on their own and there was a large rectangle exposing the wall beneath taunting me every time I went into the kitchen/family room.
I grew to despise that white rectangle.
It symbolized all of our house maintenance that had been adding up over the 7-8 years basically giving me the finger.
Neither of us are skilled or "handy" when it comes to house maintenance or renovations. It is like going to the dentist for us.
Getting professionals in to do the job is outragiously expensive.
This skirt reminds me of the fireplace.
Shoes – Miss Mooz, Skirt – Anthropologie, Top – Zara, Necklace – handmade for sale, Clutch – Danier
The flames on my sides and the white, now the bare wall waiting for me to get with it and just do it already.
So of course instead of getting started on the fireplace I decided to do what is easier and what I know.
An outfit post.
Makes perfect sense.
Now I am off to the hardware store.
Don't worry I changed.
I switched out the open toed heels for some closed toed pumps.
Safety first people.
I figure if I can just complete one renovation project in our house and do a good job it would get me past this fear.
Have you tried your hand at any home renovations? If so, did they turn out?
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The trip to the hardware store – especially looking that fabulous, although with steel capped pumps, of course – is a fabulous first step. Once you have started you will be fine. Put all the stuff you need in the vicinity of the fireplace so that the annoyance factor kicks in, or promise to just do it in hour long blocks between other fun things, like outfit posts. My strategy, and I am working onit at the moment for fixing up up my study and a redundany bathroom to closet conversion, is wait until the very last minute and then you have no choice. I’m sure you will be just fine though!
I’m much better at home renovation than dressing myself. I think I should have been the rebel back in school…the *girl* that went into the trades. But, I too feel the stuckness these days.
You, my friend, look so fantastic in this outfit…you must have had no difficulty getting assistance at the hardware store.
I know that hiring the trades can be expensive, but…and I know Ontario is a great big province…have you read Chris Kauffman’s blog at all? She’s outside of TO. What if she’s in your area? Or knows of a person that you can hire, should you choose to go that route.
Fabulous post my dear… I battle the same dragons… and when I do… I remind myself… tiny steps plus intention equal success.
That said… I still have an unfinished mosaic wall in my backyard… but I have learned (really learning), to make peace with the creative/ i.e. life journeys 🙂 Thanks so for sharing yours!
And by the way…you are absolutely gorgeous in your flame skirt… glad you changed to a closed toe …you are right.. safety first :))
I so thought you gonna wear this to the hardware because where ever you go this outfit rock! You look very fabulous in this outfit the skirt is flaming hot and the blue is telling us…you are serious hehehe! Happy Sunday!
Kim,USA
That flaming skirt is so cool…love it. It looks great with the blue which in turn looks stunning with your/our coloring. As far as home renovating goes, I got lucky. My husband has mad renovating/decorating skills and I just do what he tells me. And then I get bored and go do an outfit post…ha!
Debbie 🙂
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
You look gorge in that outfit!
I’m no good with home renovations. I change a light bulb or hang a painting and I pat myself on the back and call it a day. ;o)
Great outfit!
Our basement needs painting. I continue to put it off. It seems easier than actually learning how to paint…
Love this post and mostly because I can relate to this very situation. i’m so grateful to learn I’m not the only gal around who prefers creativity putting an outfit together when I know I have another project to tackle. I actually enjoy home projects, once I get into them, it’s just that big initial step (after the trip to the hardware store). Oh, and I have never looked that great at the hardware store, even if I changed out of the open-toed shoes. That entire outfit is awesome, but the necklace is definitely the statement piece.
At this time I am re-doing my son’s room and having a great time with it. I’ll try and post the re-make when it’s complete.
My hubby and I are horrible withy any DIY projects and leave it to the pro. We bought a brand new house a few years ago so hopefully things should be okay and no projects on the horizon.
Love this skirt and top paired with it. Your necklace is gorgeous! I checked out your etsy shop and you have some beautiful jewelry.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Looking good, lady! Skirt is awesome, as I’m sure you’re aware.
I’ve never renovated anything, and cannot imagine it would end well if I did, although I have done lots of technical stuff with video equipment and stuff like that. I can also repair small electrical items and use a soldering iron. I’m not a total bust in the manly arts!
Wow … Beautiful woman 😉 …
I am a total klutz at household repairs, but luckily my husband is a wizard. I do completely relate though to that feeling of dread when facing projects like taxes! You look absolutely fab – glorious hair and the whole outfit xoxo
I love the contrast between the bright blue and the flames of the skirt!! With our 120 year old house….there is always something that needs to be fixed! Currently, it’s the water pressure because it’s so low I can hardly wash my hair. Angel and I have gradually learned a lot about home maintenance! As each project comes up, we just learn the skills needed to conquer that one and move to the next one. It would be nice to hire professionals, but like you said, that’s pretty pricey!
Hahaha! I loved the transition from the fireplace to the outfit post! Yes, these kind of projects overwhelm me as well. I feel like neither my husband nor I have the common sense needed for home improvement. I resourceful but sometimes when projects are bigger like this, I feel like the thought of having to really research the heck out it causes me to put it off and never start. Good luck with your fireplace! Wishing you determination!!
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
You look goreous in your flames and blue!!
Don’t be so hard on yourself–you’ve been thru quite an ordeal physically recntly!!
We used to live in an old fixer-upper. When we decided to move we wanted a new house as we were DONE with fixits and DIY. I have painted here and done a little tweaking.
You look totally fantastic! The flame skirt is just stunning! I really hope you can get your fireplace done! I hate doing handy work like that! Things like that just get put aside until it becomes unbearable in my house! LOL!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
I can so relate. We tried to take the paint off our fireplace bricks- and now know why in so many DIY forums people counselled against it. 3 weekends and 2 bottles of paint stripper later, all we have to show is two cancerous spots of brown, and the white is now a weird flan yellow.
And outfit post is it! You look stunning.
I have two bathrooms in need of renovations and I won’t even touch them. Even though I have watched the DIY youtube videos, I am still not going to even go there. I need to hire someone to do it (someday). 🙂
Oh, and you look smashing in blue with the flames…
omg … omg … omg…. I have nothing but those kind of projects around. Been doing lots of plumbing stuff here in the last few months.
You really are pushing yourself, kiddo. Could be that your health telling you it’s not quite up to speed yet.
You would have gotten a LOT of attention at the hardware store if you hadn’t changes! Just sayin …
You look lovely, and a blog post seems like a completely reasonable alternative to physical labor. Especially messy labor.
You did what I would have done, I’ve never been a role model!
Keep getting better, Suzanne!
Susan that is such a great skirt!
Tiffany Ima
Style Honestly
Suzanne-I’m just thrilled that you are feeling good enough to be up and around-doing either projects or fashion posts. Looking healthy and beautiful! Love your jewelry designs by the way! As for projects-with all my blogging and boutiquing my husband seems to be handling the heavy lifting. I’m doing ‘lifting’ of the computer type. 😉
xx, Heather
Oooops-my comment may have just been swallowed up!
You are looking great and healthy so I’m relieved that you are even thinking about household projects. That is a good sign!
xx, Heather
PS-Your jewelry is super fun by the way!
Love the blue peplum top!
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Looking that fabulous I cannot believe you’re daunted by home improvements ‘cos you look super fierce!
I lived alone for years and used to do everything myself but Jon’s a perfectionist and stands behind me tutting and complaining until I hand over the power tools and let him finish. xxx
Re: fashion – LOVE your outfit from top to toe! You look FAB!! I’m a peplum fan! Here’s my peplum top I bought recently …
http://fashionableover50.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/start-spreading-the-news/
Re: home reno – I have a professional do all my work, FREE!!! AKA handy husband! He really is amazing for what he has done in home improvements, but I still have a honey-do list, it never ends because we move when he’s finally finished. He transformed all four of the fixer-uppers (inside and out) we’ve ever owned. It’s his profession and hobby–he actually enjoys it!
Not me–my hobby is fashion! 🙂
<3 carmen
Okay…Charlie…you pumped me up enough that I went and bought most of the supplies now. I like what you wrote about not being too stressed to finish it right away. These things always seem to take so much longer than what you plan.
When you are craft with sewing it doesn’t surprise me you were crafty elsewhere in the house.
I hadn’t heard of Chris Kauffman before. Thanks so much for pointing me in that direction! Wow! I’m going to be spending hours on her site now.
I remember you mentioning that mosaic before. Another thing I wanted to create on my huge “I want to create” list.
I’ve pasted this above my desk…tiny steps plus intention equal success. : ) Thanks for that!
Thanks for popping by Kim : )
Lucky you! I keep hoping that Robert will suddenly “get the urge” to do something…anything with the house as he ages…but nope. He just likes to work…I should be specific…on NON manual things.
I might need to borrow your husband for a month or two : ) Since you’re my twin that shouldn’t be an issue right?
Oh man…you and my husband are cut from the same cloth. LOL
LOL…EVERYTHING is easier than learning home renovation stuff! LOL
I’m excited to see what the finished room will look like. I hope you took before photos too. You may be my inspiration Trina : )
{sigh} I *wish* we had bought a new house now. Then all of this stuff wouldn’t need fixin’. The market is so high here and has been for years and years.
Hey you! : ) Are you sneaking in on my blog from Bangkok? Miss you XOXOxxoxoxo
Lucky ducky you.
I think it’s nice you two do it together. Makes it a bit less annoying when you can share your frustrations with someone that knows what you’re talking about.
I’m at that “research until my eyes drop out” stage right now. Just how many different videos on YouTube can I watch on home renos in a day? There are some CRAY-ZAY ones out there.
Lucky you.
I think part of the reason I started to feel that I finally wanted to tackle the home reno projects is the illness. I don’t seem to be able to move past a few of the issues that are still plaguing me and it is frustrating me to no end. I just want to be back to who I was and I can’t seem to get there all the way.
So instead I look around the house at stuff that I’ve let fall by the way-side and think, well that is something I can actually fix, so why aren’t I doing it?
Yep…that is where I was at with the fireplace. : )
Okay…scratch my idea of painting the lower bricks that are at the base. LOL It is so funny because I saw lots of people that had painted them, well white washed them online and they seemed to look good.
After your horror story I will officially be nixing that idea. Thanks for the heads up!
Bathrooms are the worst though because they are so technical. We desperately need ours done as well. I think they have to be one of the most difficult rooms in a house to renovate.
Thanks : )
Thanks Jan : ) Mentally I’m better but parts of my body aren’t being quite as cooperative as I’d like.
Wow!
I’m impressed!
Plumbing.
I tip my hat to you lady.
Thanks Tiffany : )
Ah another lucky lady that has a handy-man. Can I borrow him for a bit? ; )
Stupid blog. For some reason it puts some of the comments in the spam. Don’t worry though, I check them daily and will find you there if that is where you end up : )
Thanks Abby.
ha ha!
Somehow it doesn’t surprise me one bit that you lived alone and did everything by yourself. You seem remarkably self sufficient.
Okay I am totally jealous.
That peplum top is great but I’m super jealous of your handyman husband.
Oh well. I can’t complain too much. My French husband does have a few tricks up his sleeve…not related at all to renovating the house mind you ; )
Love this look!