I’m Feeling Exhausted And Burned Out (And So Close To The Finish Line)
I don’t know why, but I feel like this year has really taken it out of me more than any year prior. Every year around this time, I feel myself longing for that end-of-year break, but this year, I feel like I’m crawling to the finish line, completely parched and gasping for air. This year just feels different from others.
Overall, I know that I’m very close to having our bedroom suite finished. Being so close to the finish line, I should feel highly motivated to get that project finished. And while I’ve been working every day and making progress, I feel like I’m doing so begrudgingly. Never in my life have I felt more like I need a long vacation away from our house, but as you know, because of our situation (or more specifically, Matt’s situation) that’s not even a possibility.
So I’ve decided to take a longer end-of-year break this year. I know that’s kind of a bummer since it leaves us all on a bit of a cliffhanger. That’s not my intention. I’m not trying to be like the writers of a TV show who intentionally leave the viewers on a cliffhanger at the end of a season and make them wait until the next season to see if their favorite character has died or managed to make it out alive. 😀
But obviously, there’s no way for me to finish our bedroom before the end of the year. So I’ve decided to finish out this week, and then take a two-week break (instead of my regular one-week break) before resuming in the New Year.
I’ve made a lot of progress this year that I’m really proud of. I’ll do a final recap of this year in a rare Saturday post in two days. I looked through my list of goals for this year to see how much I had accomplished, and I was actually very pleased with my progress this year. So I think after a two-week break, I’ll be ready to hit the ground running again.
I won’t be taking a complete break on project during my break. I don’t think I could go two weeks without a creative outlet, and working on projects is my creative outlet. But I’d also like some extra time to focus on things that I haven’t had much time for this year, like making jewelry or maybe finding a fun art project to work on. I need some small, fun, easy projects that don’t necessarily have anything to do with our bedroom suite.
So I’m going to finish out this week and try to get as much done as possible on the bedroom. Today, I plan to get as much done on the draperies as possible. And then that will be it for me until Monday, January 5th. And then in the New Year, I’ll pick up right where I left off, with the bedroom, get that finished, and then move on to the next project. For me, that will be tackling the bathroom in the studio — a project that was abandoned a while back when I had planned to turn it into a walk-through pantry.
But now that our plans for this area have changed, I need to get this bathroom finished. So this will be the first project I focus on after the bedroom suite is finished.
In the meantime, my contractor will be working on turning the hallway bathroom into a storage closet, and I’m sure that will require some work on my part as well after they have everything removed, get the new drywall installed, and get the hot water heater installed in there.
So those are the first projects I have planned for the beginning of next year after I take a much-needed two-week break. But for the next two days, I will stay as focused as possible on the bedroom suite. I hope to get at least two of the drapery panels for the bedroom finished and hung by the end of the day. So fingers crossed that today is a productive day!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year! Thank you for all of the inspiration this year. Enjoy your break and truly rest. Here’s to you!
A great plan. You need to enjoy the rest and the Holidays filled with fun, family and friends. (and fur-babies) Everyone should do the same. Next year will be exciting for you…and you will come back renewed and full steam ahead. Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year to you and Matt, and your wonderful family and friends. We will all be back in 2026!
I agree!
Please take more than two weeks if you need them. What you don’t realize is that not only has this project been a BEAR, you are also older and have used a lot of your reserves. Rest up, read books, hang with Matt, drink tea (or coffee) and rest up. We will miss you, but you’ll be back with your boots on soon.
Amen ❤️
If ever anyone deserved a break, you do! I’m reflecting on all you did this year and it has been amazing. Plus you had the added stress of the person stalking your posts, I cannot imagine. Then there’s your sweetheart with his struggles. Bless your heart ❤️
Enjoy your break, bask in your progress and you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We will be right here waiting for you.
As you get older, the working on projects declines. Maybe cut down on full blog posts to 2 or 3 times a week. But make small Facebook posts other days. But the full blown, roomful cabinet build took a lot out of you. It would anyone. Sounds great that the storage closet, hot water heater move is starting.
I hope you have a fulfilling, relaxing, restful, peaceful break. Very best wishes for your Christmas and New Years and quiet (or not!) time in between. Thank you for all you so graciously share with us.
I recommend going out for a movie, if you have respite care for Matt…they can help you feel truly “vacated” from the every day. Go buy a package of gold stars and start putting them everywhere to remind you of your accomplishments. Find a spiritual retreat online. Ted Talks. Sign up for the streamer service “History Hits”. Know that you are loved. Here’s to you, Kristi!
Yay, Kristi! Free time and rest are essential for health and a good life. We can all resume Business As Usual after New Year’s Day, 2026.
One word “PERIMENOPAUSE”! Zaps your energy.
Give your self as much time as your body and mind need, you deserve it.
Happy Holidays.
Good for you for placing your health first! Could you move your bed into the bedroom while you finish up the last few projects? Being in the room might be therapeutic!
Whatever you do – Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and health, creativity and love for 2026!
Wishing you and Matt a very blessed and happy Christmas and new year. We will see you in 2026!
Hey girl, You need the rest! These are such detailed projects. It’s hard to believe ALL that you have finishef in the last few months. I’m rooting for your rest and peaceful r&r for a few weeks! Enjoy Matt and your free time. Happy Holidays.
You more than deserve a break. All of us who follow you know how consistently hard you work.
A small suggestion: On a day when Matt feels up to it, load him into your van and go to somewhere like the Martin Museum of Art. They will be well set up for ADA visitors, and you and he can see some of the exhibits. Only do as much as you and he are up for. But you will see art that is different than what you find on the web, real, hand-created art that will inspire and uplift you both. It will take you to new worlds, and is conveniently close to home.
Please, enjoy your break!
I’m sorry you’re not feeling motivated, I’ve noticed it this whole year. Maybe it’s time to find another way to get income–you don’t have to keep doing the blog. Hopefully the rest will help though and things will get better for you.
May you find peace and joy during your break! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
You are not alone in wanting this year to come to a close. We lost my mother-in-law in September, and it seems like the light has just gone out of our lives. We will march on, and get things done, but somehow none of us have found any joy this season, and we know it will come back, just not right now. We’re having a small Christmas, not much in the decorations, both of us have picked up a bug that won’t let go, and I have just a few cards to finish and we can stick a fork in this year. Take time to enjoy your family, breathe, and know that we will all be on pins and needles at the start of the year, well, maybe not pins and needles, but you get the idea.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Take all of the much deserved time that you need for yourself Kristi. Life is short !
And we can and will wait for updates in the new year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours !
Self care! Merry Christmas Matt and Kristi. May Jesus hold and lift you up during this season of joy .
You have accomplished so much this year so take all the time you need to rest, recharge and do fun things. May the spirit of Christmas bless you, Matt, your family, and your furbabies.
Never ever feel bad for caring for yourself!! Those of us who’ve been with you for decades are invested in you and your family and never begrudge you taking whatever mental health relief and rest you need! We’ll actually be here when you come back!
You had a great year as far as projects go. You need a break to take care of yourself. I never forget how exhausting being a caregiver is. I know you care for Matt with a heart of love. It’s still physically & emotionally draining. Enjoy your holiday with rest, fun, friends, family & faith. See you in the new year.
I will be here to see the progress when you return. Take the time you need and enjoy the holidays without worrying about us. Thank you for always sharing with us your home and a small part of your life. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
You’ve gotten SO MUCH done this year already! The closet alone would be more than many could do. Take that much deserved break; we’ll be here when you’re ready to go again. Merry Christmas and may you and Matt have a blessed New Year ahead!
Hi Kristi,
Your home and the work you’ve done is awe inspiring. I hear you about this year being a bear! My unsolicited advice is to start taking scheduled time off several times a year. A week or two each season. Write it into your schedule for the upcoming year. It’s amazing how much you can focus and give of yourself when well rested. When I’ve posted my schedule in advance, no one questions it. I feel better and produce higher quality work. I hope this helps. I wish you, Matt and your extended family the very best of the holiday season.
Grace
I’m glad you are taking a longer break. You need the rest from your typing.
Just rest and do what you want to do without have to tell all of us about it! You will feel better just getting the drapes hung and it will go a long way
in completing the bedroom. It will be just as good sleeping in your beautiful new bedroom after the first of the year as it might now!
I am wishing you and Matt a wonderful new year for 2026. God is with you and has His arms around you both. Celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
PS I have broken jewelry to send to you. Maybe I’ll get it sent over the holidays. I need your address, please.
I don’t know anyone who deserves a break more than you, but two weeks? Lady, you should take a whole month! I love everything you have done on your home, but for 10 years, you deserve at least a month.
Enjoy your time off and Happy Holidays to you and Matt.
I am so glad you recognized your exhaustion and are taking an extra week off. My wish for you is to sleep late, put your feet up, read a good book, eat healthy meals, watch TV, do artwork for the fun of it; not out of necessity, you and Matt take a ride and enjoy the lights, have lunch with friends and family, love on your fur babies, love on Matt and just enjoy the holidays for what they are. You have accomplished so much this year, time to take a break and enjoy it all. Merry Christmas to you, Matt and all your fur babies. I pray the New Year will find Matt stable, you refreshed and the fur babies (all of them) getting along so Tiger can sleep where he wants to … LOL. I bet he stays in the closet, what luxury he has there 🙂
You’re so hard on yourself. You are an incredibly talented girl and you’ve accomplished more than most people could have this year! I am amazed by your skill set you really don’t give yourself enough credit. So I’m telling you – job well done for 2025. Rest, recharge and get ready for the beautiful clean slate that January brings!
Most people take vacation time and you shouldn’t feel guilty taking two weeks off. A stay-cation where you do some creative projects, relax, watch movies or whatever you feel like would be rejuvenating. I want to wish you and Matt a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! May God bless you.
I honestly don’t know how you keep going. It’s been a very, very long time of you continually working on the renovation of your house. At some point you must just want it to be complete. Take these two weeks, or more, and refresh. Do the pretty stuff.