Design Decision Analysis-Paralysis
Why, yes, that IS my house painted in a few random colors behind me! I spent $400 on a few gallons of paint to “test” out the color combinations on the actual front porch of my Victorian farmhouse. I do realize I can do this on the computer, but I’m one of those who still like to write with pencil and paper, so it was just natural for me to grab an actual paintbrush. And no, I have no house painter lined up, or actual date set to do the work of painting. The haphazard paint thrown up on my exterior has been that way now for, oh, almost three years now. (Doesn’t everyone paint sections of their house and leave it like that for all the neighborhood to gawk at? OMG, there goes that Becker woman again…) You see, I understand what it’s like to be afraid of making the wrong choice. I get it. I really do. We’re all short on time and money and emotional energy for these BIG decisions. It’s absolutely draining to think about going through a project only to be disappointed once it’s finished. We have GOT to get ourselves out of this funk. I tell my clients all the time- “It’s only paint”. And truly, it really is. No one in my family is going to die because I picked the wrong color for my front porch. There are no “paint emergencies” in life.
Big changes are scary. But they don’t have to be.
What if you looked at home design updates as…exciting? They really can be, especially when you allow yourself to trust the design process. When you look at each element of a room design individually, they don’t seem to make much sense on their own. But when they’re combined they work together to tell a bigger story - a story of who you are, what you love to surround yourself with, even reflecting your personal values.
We can plan and prepare and think until we hit analysis-paralysis on just about every decision we make in life. You can read all the books, take all the classes, do all the research, and talk to all the experts. But at some point we just have to take the leap and move forward. No more hiding behind just one more Pinterest board or one more triple-check with your bestie. It’s time to be ok with knowing we don’t have it all together, and still be willing to take that step forward. We’ve done all we can possibly do to prepare. We still may fall flat on our design faces, so what’s the point in waiting any more? To sit and try to absorb more knowledge without ever testing it out? Suck out the marrow of old episodes of HGTV? To watch those braver souls take the big steps towards their house goals and dreams while we say, “Wait! But, but..!”
We’re all coming off a two year stint of looking at the same, boring four walls. This year, my friend, it’s deep-end swimming time. Luckily for you, I’m your lifeguard. You’ve got this.