BHG
It’s been a while since I updated you on the progress of our side yard. The reason is simple: there have been setbacks and long pauses that aren’t fun to talk about or pretty to look at. Why does every project take so much longer in real life than in your dreams? In my imagination the side yard is already finished and charming. In reality, it isn’t.
Do you ever feel like home projects create more chaos than you expected? Maybe my situation — and the daily affirmations I use to cope — will make you feel better, or at least make you laugh.
Our side yard isn’t finished or cute yet. It’s in a very awkward “in progress” state, and at times it has felt stalled or even like it was going backwards instead of forward.
Having visions in your head or on a blog is one thing; making them happen is another. We have a modest budget, contractors don’t always align with your timeline, the weather causes delays, and misunderstandings can create setbacks that need correction. All of that adds time and stress.
Being flexible during a remodel is essential — I’ve written about that before — but you also need to manage the project and speak up when things aren’t right or aren’t moving along. We’ve had to do that here, as with every project we’ve tackled.
This project is about function and safety. If you missed the earlier posts, this area used to be unsafe and largely unusable. It wasn’t intended to be a makeover just for looks, though we do hope it will be pleasant and even pretty once finished and styled.
The goal was simple: create a flat concrete area to keep the space clean for our dogs and reduce yard work, add safe steps to the backyard, and install fences for privacy and security. We thought it would be a quick job so we could move on. Silly me.
I know I’ll be glad we did this in the end, but right now it’s frustrating. We’ve lived here seven months and still have chairs, boxes, and other items piled along the side of the house to keep our dogs contained because the fencing is gone. Temporary orange fencing was added by contractors, but our dogs have escaped countless times. We find ourselves checking on them every ten minutes because Lily is an escape artist and Jack happily follows her lead.
That’s the reality of remodeling or making a home: it’s messy. I wish I could share instant after photos for Pinterest — the struggle is real — but I still have hope. I expect the contractors will pull it together and when they do, I’ll be glad we prioritized this project so we can enjoy the space this summer.
For now I’m holding onto the side yard’s potential. That’s important: keep pressing toward the finished vision even when the space is undone, messy, awkward, or stalled. Don’t lose sight of the goal during the imperfect process.
If you’re discouraged and feel like your house will always be a wreck, remember the potential of your home and projects. Keep pressing on.
I recommend creating personal daily affirmations for unfinished projects to help maintain perspective and sanity. Here are the affirmations I’ve been using for my side yard; adapt them to fit your situation.
1. Cute chairs for morning coffee will make the long wait and stress worthwhile.
I picked up two charming chairs for morning coffee in the side yard. A small, pleasant seating nook will make the effort feel worth it.
2. Charming lighting will eventually come out of the boxes and be attached to the house.
3. Using what you already have helps the budget, and soon you’ll be sitting on chairs instead of using them as temporary fencing.
We already own some outdoor sectional pieces that will likely work in the courtyard once space allows.
4. The umbrellas that were left outside all winter will be cleaned and return to the patio to shield you from sun and rain.
5. The door you currently have to keep bolted shut for safety will be safe to open once the porch is finished — and you’ll even be able to open the top half as a Dutch door to enjoy a breeze.
6. The string lights you imagine will soon hang overhead, brightening the completed side yard.
7. Soon you’ll be enjoying sunsets from the patio instead of watching them through the windows.
8. Dogs and people will relax together outdoors instead of slipping through temporary barriers and running off.
9. You won’t worry that the porch roof might come down in a storm because proper posts and bolts will secure it.
10. Neighbors won’t be able to see into your backyard once the privacy fencing is finished, and you’ll reclaim your sense of privacy.
What are your chaotic home project affirmations? Share them in the comments so we can all get a little comic relief — please tell me I’m not the only one.