A New Year, A New Strategy

Remember when I said I was ready to hit the ground running in this new year? Well, evidently what I meant was that I was ready to hit the ground with a slow, leisurely stroll during which I’d stop at every available park bench for a rest. 😀 It would appear that during the last crazy year, I’ve forgotten how to work. 😀

I’ll try harder. I promise. And I do expect that my slow, leisurely stroll will gradually increase to a brisk walk, and possibly even a casual jog at some point. I can make no promises beyond that. 😀 But what I can guarantee you is that as long as I have projects to do in our house, I’ll continue sharing them here.

Several times last week, I sat down to do my annual “Master List of Home Goals” for 2021. But after last year, and failing so miserably at making any real progress on my list or on the house, I decided to forgo the long, exhaustive list this year.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have goals for the year. I’m just not going to make long, detailed, exhaustive, bulleted lists of every project that needs to be done in every room. Instead, I have general areas that I want to focus on, with the understanding that unforeseen things may come up, and priorities may change.

But for now, these will be my main areas of focus:

Hallway

At one time, the hallway was finished.

hallway after remodel - teal doors, striped walls, watercolor artwork

Then we had a plumbing issue, followed by plans to change the original master bedroom into a master bathroom. All of that combined turned the hallway into a construction zone again, and as of today, it’s still very unfinished. Here’s what it looks like now…

hallway january 2021

When I was working on the guest bedroom (which I still need to photograph so I can show you the official before and after), I dropped an entire quart of blue paint onto the unfinished floor in the hallway. And then I dropped and spilled a small can of stain on the floor. This floor has never been finished, and it’s already taken quite a beating! So I still need to rent the big sander and finish the floors, and then get the walls painted and the trim installed and finished.

My goal is to get this hallway completely finished.

Side note: Those windows don’t have anything to do with this area of the house. Those are for my future workshop.

Home Gym

I don’t have a current picture of this room (I’m still working on getting all new pictures!), but the room looks pretty much like this right now, except that I also have all of the tools and other things I used on the guest bedroom in here now. So all of that needs to be cleared out before I can get started.

But this room will be the home gym, and I’d love for this to be a main area of focus this year.

home gym during remodel

The floor in this room will also need to be sanded and refinished. I’ll do that at the same time I do the hallway.

My goal is to get this room completely finished as well.

Master Bathroom

This obviously needs to be a big area of focus for me this year, but I’m not ready to proclaim that this room will be completely finished this year. I’m not even making that my goal. My goal is to make it usable, starting with an actual floor, drywalled walls, and the rest of the basics.

master bathroom demo day 14

I’d love for the whole thing to be completely finished this year, down to the final decorative touch, but I don’t want that pressure. We’ll just see what happens as my slow, leisurely stroll turns into a jog.

And finally…

My Studio

I absolutely love having this big studio and the big worktable where I can work on projects. But I’m tired of thinking of and dreaming about it being finished. And as long as this room as no storage at all, it will never function efficiently for me. I have things packed in boxes that are lined up against the walls, so having to search for what I need to work on a project is getting very old.

studio progress as of 10-25-2019 - 1

This room needs storage and cabinets and organization, and I plan to make that a main area of focus for the year.

So that’s it. Now that’s not to say that other things won’t get done. I hope they will, and if I wake up one day and feel inspired to reuphoslter chairs for the music room, well then by all means, I’ll reupholster chairs for the music room. But I’m just not going to put stuff like that on a list for this year.

In addition to those areas of my house, I also want to put more effort into creative projects. I went the entire year of 2020 and only did one creative artistic project, and that was the artwork I made for the guest bedroom.

finished artwork 5

For an entire year, that was the only artwork I made. And y’all know I love creative and artistic projects. I thrive on them. They relax me, keep my creative juices flowing, and help calm the mind. And yet, that came to a screeching halt last year. So more creative and artistic projects will be a priority for me this year.

Anyway, we’ll see how I do on these goals this year. I definitely feel better about this “general overview” method for 2021 than I do about a detailed, bullet point list that I’ve done the last four or five years. After the craziness of last year, I think all of us should give ourselves a little grace as we tackle 2021. But I’ll also try to pick up the pace and see if I can’t turn this leisurely stroll that I’ve started off the year with into something that’s at least a little more akin to a brisk walk. 😀

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35 Comments

  1. Yay! Glad to see an update! Your ‘realism’ is just so very appreciated and encouraging. If you ever get a chance, might you provide some advice on how to replace an interior door with a pre-hung door? Thinking of trying this and any advice would be appreciated.

  2. I think this is a super smart approach! A big detailed list of things would be overwhelming for me.

    I am planning on making something similar to those small pictures you made for the guest room. We’re finally getting the gallery wall in our living room mapped out, and these will fill in some of the gaps.

    I love watching the progress on your house. I’m particularly excited to see how the master bath turns out!

    1. I have missed you! I completely understand the feeling of forgetting how to work! Lol. Take your time getting back into the groove. You know once you start you will gain momentum. I for one will be patiently cheering you from the sidines! (Also known as my kitchen table with cup of coffee😁)

    1. I agree! you give us so much inspiration that I would hate for it to stop. Slow down and appreciate all you get to do and share with us on your own schedule. We will be here to love it. Maria B.

  3. I am new to your page. Do you have a place that shows the outside of your house? The “before” pictures, before you ever got started? I am a big fan of before and after, and like to see the big picture, too. I love your workmanship, and many of your design choices. We have downsized A LOT, and I am so envious of your large spacious rooms! As it is, my choices must include furniture to scale, Less is More, and lots of hidden storage. And purging! Enjoy watching your creativity in action. Diana

    1. As much as l really really enjoy following all the magnificent work that you achieve, it’s somewhat comforting to know that you don’t always completely finish off a room.
      Just like me, there is sometimes a little detail that is missed, needs attention, or a change that is a better option.
      It’s oddly comforting that you sometimes just grind to a halt, just like the rest of us.
      Fingers crossed that you get your mojo back, but the casual approach is a great option.
      Looking forward to seeing your slow and occasional progress…

  4. I actually love that when you get a whim to tackle something different in the middle of a project you do it. I think stuff like that is your soul telling you that you need something the new project can provide to you. That’s the why I tackle my projects.

  5. I am so excited to see what you do with the home gym! Maybe it will inspire me to finish the one in my house finally

  6. I totally understand where you are right now – I’m there with you and guess there are far more people out there: Feeling overwhelmed is a bad side effect of what has happened to all of us and to get the creative juices flowing again, your approach makes a lot of sense to me. I am encouraged by it as I am approaching this year far more cautiously and don’t declare big projects as a goal, either. I keep my fingers crossed that it’s going to work and that the fun comes back with the creativity even smaller things require!

  7. I loved your idea of using cabinets for a bathroom vanity. My husband gutted my master bathroom about 14 years ago…yes that is right 14 years!!!! The slowest remodel in history! Now just to be fair there have been a few things get in the way of the bathroom like a heart attack bypass surgery other illness and life rabbit trails also we have done a total kitchen remodel in the process, did two porches and several other projects. What is funny as we made an island out of cabinets and why it did not cross my mind to do the bathroom vanity using them is beyond me. We both grumble about not having a tub just a shower in the 2nd bathroom since we frequently wish we had a good soak. We both have a drywall repair business and sometimes it sounds so nice after a long day. Up until recently it hasn’t been a big deal until our daughter and granddaughter moved in while waiting to buy a house. 4 people (3 women) 1 bathroom is royal pain!
    Anyhow, I had to laugh reading about your list. I’m a list maker as well master list, current list, daily list, 5 year list. My list are a huge source of humor for my husbands cousin when she is helping me with projects. I’m not ready to give them up I’ll be interested to see if you can do it. LOL
    Well wanted to compliment you on the bathroom vanity thing and tell you I’m going to use it! Love it. Good luck with your goals.
    Darlene

  8. Gotcha…. today I cleaned out two bathroom drawers…. got that done…been looking at them for weeks. One day at a time… “sufficient unto the day are the troubles therein” 😊

  9. Bad things happen in threes. Don’t refinish the hallway flooring until the third can of stain or paint has spilled.

    1. I’m always happy to see your updates in my inbox. But I have to say—your workroom makes me smile, every time I get a glimpse. What a gloriously happy room!

      1. You are too hard on yourself! You accomplished many things last year in a time of tremendous overall stress. Your painted wall in the bedroom was indeed a work of art. You should be proud!

  10. Your list of goals sounds like a full years worth and more to me! I am grateful you are reminding us all to take it easier on ourselves with respect to expectations. Just getting ANYTHING done during these times feels like a big win to me. You have inspired me to start again, taking it one small sweet step at a time.

  11. Kristi, It is good that you are looking to downscaling the to-do list. Don’t beat yourself up you, are amazing at what you do. For a couple of years in a row we had several major projects completed and then when they were done in the new year arrived and I made a small January list of smaller projects that needed doing or completing and we knocked them out of the park. If anything was left it went on Feb’s list etc. We accomplished a lot in several months. It gave us breathing room to save for and to tackle the next major job
    Today we are renovating a larger cupboard by dividing it into 2 sections. painting, cleaning and organizing. Have a great day

  12. Sounds like you are a normal person. I love following your indescribable talent. I’m 84. And you have given me a lot of knowledge to build some things that have truly impressed my children. Take your time. No hurry. Enjoy your life. It passes so quickly. Sincerely Sophia

  13. I’ve seen you work and know that once you start you get it done. Start with the clean up/out! Then the floor sanded. Then trim and then pretty things. You can do it! I’m glad you showed up today! I just finished you gran’s book this morning about 4am? 😱 iIt was very interesting. I finally gave up trying to keep everyone straight. I’ve never heard of so many relatives. It was nice to recognize each location. I live in Lubbock. It is amazing to think how old she was when she wrote it.

  14. Take your time. I use to rush and hurry up to get things done only to change it in a couple of months!! Now, I take my time and enjoy the journey, So excited to see what you will delight us
    with in 2021!! Take care

  15. GOAL : : the end toward which effort is directed : AIM

    Sometimes we hit the target and sometimes we don’t.

    You’re aiming in a great direction. Just keep moving forward towards a target!

  16. I love seeing all of your projects; you have such amazing talent at so many different things. I started reading your blog when you were painting your kitchen cabinets green. I lost track of it for a while and when I came back, you had completely re-done the kitchen again! I had to go back and read through all of that process! Love your workshop, love what you did in your mom’s kitchen, love the guest room makeover, love the changes you made in your living room last year. So many amazing things! It was a difficult year for the entire country and especially for anyone who lost a loved one like you did. Keep doing amazing things that make you happy at your own pace. We all love tuning in to see your vision.

  17. I’m always so excited to see an update from you! Looking forward to your projects, and I’m glad to see you taking some pressure off of yourself!

  18. Didn’t you make some artworks and resins to sell last year? Or was that farther back than I remembered? I’d say those were considered artistic work! Last year was a mess for everyone, so you can’t blame yourself. With goods and services still trying to get back to full speed I think it’s wise to take a more casual approach to getting things done this year. That being said, if you know of, and can store it, I would order ANYTHING you might need for projects way, way ahead of time! You never know what is in stock and what is on backlog for months!!! I’ve heard of appliances and other home improvement items (sinks, tubs, etc.) being on wait lists for long stretches, and lumber prices are through the roof!

  19. As I started to read your blogpost, the first thing that popped into my mind was ‘Kristi, don’t beat yourself up over whatever you didn’t accomplish. You are amazing and very talented and most likely accomplished more this past year than 2-3 of us. The beauty of plans and goals are they serve as guidance for our path and they are flexible meaning when obstacles come up, we simply adjust our schedule for completion. And it’s OK to adjust. So think about flexibility and adjusting in 2021 and give yourself permission to do it as other priorities come up. We all love hearing about your plans and watching them come to life. Wishing you and all your followers a very successful and happy 2021!

  20. I’m glad you are giving yourself grace. I’m trying to do the same. The anxiety of the past year has led me to a sort of ennui that I can’t shake. I’m trying to be patient with myself that my drive will return when my mind has settled down a bit. Happy New Year all you DIYers!!

  21. Hi Kristie,
    Happy New Year to you! I enjoy your work so much and glad you are being less strict on yourself… We have had a very difficult year that has taken time away from our focus.
    Looking forward to hearing from you again…..

  22. Hi Kristi! I’m so glad you scaled your list back. This is a much healthier way to approach things. I LOVE lists but I learned the hard way not to over do it or stuff just doesn’t get done. I know you will have a great year this year, we are rooting for you! Happy New Year!!

  23. Interesting tht you should write this. I have not been very creative this past year either. I think the pandemic just sucked the life out of a lot of us. I did enjoy nature walking, birds, animals etc but not much got done in our home/craft room. I chose the word ‘patience’ for this year, as I choose one each year to help me out. I want patience with what is around me, with things I can’t change and mostly with myself. You are approaching this year and your goals perfectly. I wish for patience and creativity for you, my blogging friend. Happy New Year!

  24. Just wanted to let you know that in 2020 you inspired me to finish drapes that I started 2 years ago, and also a quilt that my daughter and I started in 1999! I would certainly consider the gorgeous guest bedroom feature wall a major art project. Best wishes for 2021!