Hello gorgeous, how are you? It’s been a minute since I’ve sat and rambled with you about the current state of my life which at the moment you might be surprised to hear has chaos written all over it. Yep it happens to all of us eventually, even to this Organizing Junkie. So since I’m only capable of rambling at this point, that’s what you’re going to get. Forgive me if this makes no sense at all. It’s late, I’m pooped and I may be twitching slightly. Just kidding, it’s not that late. Plus I’ve also got Paleo Chocolate so how bad can it be really? I mean chocolate just makes everything better, am I right girls?
So where to start? As you know I’m not normally a busy gal. I like quiet time and taking naps. I like relaxing and spending time sitting around talking and laughing and playing games with my people. What I don’t like is house projects. House projects often cost money and take lots and lots of time and work. But after living in this house for 7 years with the original builder beige wall color we decided we couldn’t put off the painting any longer. Well let’s be honest, having both sets of parents come to visit in June for my middle son’s graduation is really what is motivating us. Otherwise I’m pretty sure I’d still be embracing the drab walls in all their nicked up and dirty glory.
So it is spring break this week and here we are painting our entire main floor (living room, dining room, kitchen, entryway and hallway). You can imagine how thrilled my kids are about this. I feel their pain. The project just seems so overwhelming to me. There are people I know that think nothing of whipping out their paint brushes and transforming a room. I am not one of those paintbrush loving people. I’ve had seven years to pick paint colors and I still couldn’t do it. So I called a designer to help me pick colors and new counters and back splash for the kitchen. That last part especially stressed me out because we are keeping our oak cabinets and had to work around those. And no I’m not painting them, there is only so much chaos a person can handle people! 🙂
My house isn’t even that big but we have vaulted ceilings (especially in the entryway) which just adds another element of stress to what I like to call the “chaos ensues” project. There is stuff everywhere. All the decor from the living room had to go somewhere so it’s basically lining my hallway which is all sorts of maze like fun. That was a joke, there is nothing fun about stacks of stuff ready to coming tumbling down if you so much as sneeze as you walk by. Oh and did I mention that I’m in the middle of trying to get my taxes done before the end of the month….twitch, twitch.
As you can tell, chaos and I are not friends. I am rude to chaos and rarely ever invite it into my home when it comes a knocking on the door. I’d prefer to hide beside the window barely breathing so it will think no one is home. But sometimes chaos can’t be avoided and we have to figure out how to co-exist with this bratty houseguest so as to not lose our minds.
Something I figured out, to keep my chaotic houseguest from getting too comfortable, was to not focus on all that needed to be done and instead just focus on the very next thing. Boy does this ever make a difference. I only give my attention to the task at hand and not worry about all the things that I still need to do. Something interesting came out of this exercise. I actually found myself enjoying the process! As I painted all the baseboards and moldings I got lost in my thoughts and it was so calming. In fact, I found I didn’t mind it at all. Take that chaos!
We just finished the living room and now are working on the kitchen. We went with Deep Space by BM for the feature wall and Revere Pewter by BM for the rest of the walls. It looks so good, I’m so happy with how it’s turning out and I promise I’ll share more pictures with you when it’s done. The counters and back splash won’t be in for awhile yet and the project is taking longer than expected because I have some kind of shoulder problem that forces me to keep stopping to rest but it’s coming along one step at a time. I’m just going to do what I can, when I can. Progress is better than no progress and every little bit counts.
Hey that’s good advice right there! And you know what, it’s the same with organizing as well. Many would rather paint a wall then spend any time getting organized because to them organizing is so overwhelming. Wherever overwhelm is, there you’ll also find chaos.
Your clutter houseguest might have gotten so comfy that they decided to move right on in and now won’t leave your couch and your closets. Maybe progress for you means purging one item a day or organizing one drawer or closet. Just keep reminding yourself that progress is progress and every little bit counts. That’s what I’m doing and you can too! We’ve got this! But first chocolate, we can’t forget the chocolate. Oh and if all else fails, I highly recommend inviting family over to stay awhile to get you moving! 🙂
Bye, bye chaos, it was nice knowing you!
Emma Slade says
Words to live by:
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into smaller manageable tasks and then starting on the first one
(Mark Twain)
Laura Wittmann says
So very true!!
Melissa says
I LOVE those colors you’ve chosen. I may have to borrow that Pewter for myself. I can’t wait to see the finished product. And I’m going to follow you’re advice. One thing at a time, purge one item at a time, step by step – even amidst the chaos.
Melissa says
Bah. YOUR advice. I’m going to follow your advice.
Laura Wittmann says
Borrow away, it’s the best way to do it 🙂
Kristy Redmond says
I love those colors. I wouldn’t have thought that darker color would have worked until I saw it. It doesn’t make your room look smaller, it looks great. Would love to see finished pics.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you so much! And yes I’ll definitely share pictures when the chaos is put to rest lol
Kim M. says
I am in the middle of painting projects too! Our living room and family room are Revere Pewter and I LOVE it! I am going to pick up a Deep Space sample and see if it will work in my dining room. Thank you for the color ideas and thank you for reminding me to just do the task at hand. This was a real inspiration!
Laura Wittmann says
Oh that’s awesome Kim! I love having a feature wall, it just makes it so cozy 🙂
Becky L says
I’m figuring out paint color for our bathroom. Purple needs to go even though it’s my fav color. It’s faded and old. One color Serious Moonlight is nice. But still have other choices. I’m always finding something to do at home. Lately the space near front door got cleared when I vacuumed Friday. Then I bought new front door knobs as old one is original from 27 years ago. It has been sounding bad lately. Didn’t want it to fall apart at an inopportune moment. Phil was able to install it today. Now I need to paint touch up the door. I’m sure you will enjoy your house again after all is painted. Happy weekend!!
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Becky! Sounds like you’ve been busy as well 🙂
Kristy Redmond says
Oh I wish I could recall the color plum purplish color we did our front door for accent….think you’d like it.
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Kristy, in our previous home I had a beautiful dark purplish color called Amazon Soil by BM in my living room. I loved it!
Amy @ The Quiet Homemaker says
OMG you are cracking me up! This was hilarious! I totally feel you about the overwhelm and the chaos. We live in a very old home that needs oh so very much work. Actually it has been mid-construction since we moved in. We are getting ready to move into a camper!!! We are building a cabin that is going a little slow because we are building as we can afford it. As we get closer to the move there are more and more boxes in the house. More and more clutter! I have learned to live with it, because this is where we are right now, but there are days when it is overwhelming. Today is cleaning day. My project: My youngest sons room! Yikes! Ya’ll, I may be lost for some time!
Have a great one and thanks for the wonderful post!
Kristy Redmond says
I , too have a somewhat dysfunctional relationship ship. I like to change things up but hate taking on huge tasks that can’t be done in a day or 2. We’re painting around our packed boxes cuz we’re on the middle of a move. Argh!
Kristy Redmond says
Correction dysfunctionall relationship with chaos*