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You can have success at something – small or large – and never have proof of that accomplishment beyond what you know or feel.  So, the notion of how far you’ve come, crossing a line, or reaching a milestone… it can fade without a reminder of some kind.

That’s part of why I enjoy DIY projects as much as I do! It’s a great feeling to spend time on something – only to half-forget… until you wake up the next day, walk down the hall to an open door and there it is: Wallpaper hung, stained trim in place, vanity painted, hardware up, faucets installed.  The progress is undeniable! 

And every time I walk past that room, I’m reminded of what I accomplished. But that’s not all.

I was working in the yard one day, and struck up a conversation with our neighbor. It started when he apologized for the noise.  I wondered if they’d had a party the night before and didn’t invite us!... No!  He had taken up the clarinet.  He was practicing, and acknowledged he wasn’t very good yet, and hoped we couldn’t hear him from inside our house!  We couldn’t, but that wasn’t really the point in my mind now.  I asked why he decided to take up an instrument at this point in his life.  He explained that getting older is an interesting journey, and he wanted to make sure he continued to challenge his brain, and try new things – learning all the while.

He said, “Well, it’s like you and your projects.”

And he was right.

I had attached certain words to DIY in the past: Accomplishment, fulfillment, equity, and pride. I had rarely thought so much about what I was learning with each project.

After a recent surgery, this came sharply into focus. I was away from work for six weeks.  For much of that time, I couldn’t lift anything.  So, needless to say, I thought a lot about the projects that I couldn’t touch, but longed to complete.

I sketched almost every day. I was online looking at different materials, and doing price comparisons.  And:  I learned.  I watched countless videos – tutorials specifically. 

We inherited some older kitchen cabinets from the previous homeowners. I plan to refinish and repurpose them, and build an island in a sitting-room-turned-closet.  I’ll need a top for that island.  One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is make a concrete countertop.  I found videos with detailed step-by-step, and feel so ready now!

My message to aspiring DIYers is simple: Don’t demo or otherwise get started without a plan! Take your time on the front end of a project to learn.  That will limit surprises, and ensure a more professional-grade result.  You may be compelled to fast-forward past learning because you think it’s no fun.  The reality is, that’s just as rewarding as seeing a project through!

Whether you’re a DIY newbie, or you’ve been at it for decades, I’d love to hear about your projects! Please share pictures on my Facebook page: Mary Nelson QVC.

Take care!