Genmedmom here.
I'm nuts. But in a good, doctor-mom-nuts way.
I just started a DIY budget kitchen reorganization and makeover, in the midst of Hubby's busiest time of his workyear, the kids' busiest time of the schoolyear, and my own perpetually crazy clinical/research/writing career life.
Yes, the kitchen looks like it blew up. Yes, my hands are covered with "Apollo Blue" paint. Yes, I've already gone over my $500 budget. Yes, Hubby is raising his eyebrows every time another package is delivered.
But I am having so much fun.
This has been such a delicious, decadent creative treat. The stolen time for planning and plotting, poring over colors with the Benjamin Moore guy at the local hardware store; guiltily perusing the Ikea website catalog during work hours; lying in bed after the kids are asleep sneaking peeks at Pinterest kitchen remodel pins... This is the type of affair for me!
I haven't for one second regretted tackling what is the largest household project I've ever undertaken. It's consuming every spare second of time I have, and there's not much.
I will be asking family for help, especially when it comes time to painting the walls and hanging heavy shelving, yes, that is true. Lucky for me, I'm related to several carpenters and contractors! But thus far, this project is MINE.
So, lately I've been wondering why it is that I'm so freaking happy about this craziness, and I think it's for several reasons:
One, the news cycle is so freaking depressing, this project helps me to focus on something over which I have actual control, and is actually positive.
Two, while Hubby is supportive (I did ask his opinion first), this kitchen makeover is essentially mine. It's visibly, tangibly, MINE. It's the first time in my life I've had a bit of extra cash to do something like this, and I am ecstatic. I can't go over $1000, but I'm ecstatic anyways.
Three, a large part of the undertaking is in order to get organized. Our family is so, so busy, and the kitchen is central station. Yes, it especially looks like it blew up lately, but, it always kind of looks like it blew up. My goal is to change that.
And four, I think it's a healthy doctor-mom thing to have a personal project on the side. I was reminded of an old post by Fresh, MD, a popular one titled "Ten Guidelines for Medicine-Life Balance", where she recommends having at least one non-medical creative project going on at all times. Usually I'm planning a birthday party or hosting a special meal, smaller stuff like that. This DIY thing is a bigger deal, but it is still just another personal, creative thing. I think she's totally right that we type-A intellectual overachieving dorks really need an outlet like this.
I'll definitely post about it when it's done, and let you all be the judge of my creative effort!
Ha! We are all so different. DIY kitchen project would stress me out beyond control. I bought my house because it was already updated. My daughter is re-doing her room for high school, and wanted me to help. I referred her to a budget conscious decorator/home organizer I know who helped me Elfa all the closets in our house over the summer. Good luck with your project I can't wait to see how it turns out:)
ReplyDeleteYup that's how I am with the car!
DeleteWhere did you learn how to do this? I want to learn too but am afraid to try.
ReplyDeleteLOL I haven't "learned" anything... I did grow up w a very handy mom and other family members. There's Youtube videos. And my uncle who's a contractor is going to help a great deal as well... Full report by the end of November!
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ReplyDeleteI love the spirit of this post and can't wait to see the finished product! It is so important to find a creative outlet that's all our own. And you'll have a stylish, organized space for your family when you're all done!
ReplyDeleteThank you and I hope so!!
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