I think blog time is different than my time.
I posted this "before" photo of my current project seven days ago.
Ever since then, it's been kind-of nagging me in the back of my mind that my readers will think I'm slouching if I don't show steady progress, and it was starting to feel like weeks since I started it.
Pressure!
But this morning, I see I've only been working on it one week! Wait a minute, one week in my time equals weeks in blog time?
Huh. What's up with that?
Pressure!
Pressure!
Sometimes, when I see amazing room and furniture reveals on other blogs, I think I get a skewed sense of the time and effort behind it. Online, it appears like an entire room was redecorated or a piece of furniture was repainted more quickly and with less effort than I know it was. Many bloggers don't show the nitty gritty behind their complex projects, just the beautiful results. Their hard work and beautiful projects get mixed together in the kaleidoscope of my mind with no sense of time passing.
And, actually, that's a wonderful way to think of time, isn't it? As a circular kaleidoscope made up of wonderful moments happening right now, instead of a straight line with some future point causing me to feel pressure until I reach it. I don't want to miss a single second of my life while my attention is on something that hasn't happened yet. So I think that means my projects will find their way to my blog when they're ready, and I'm okay with that now.
No More Pressure!
No More Pressure!
I wonder if my blogger friends, whose blogs I admire so much, ever feel pressure to perform in a fantasy "blogger time." Do you ever lose sight of the reality that's behind your blog, in the rush to get it online?
Anyway, this is what my project is looking like today, and now that I've spent so much time talking about time, I don't have much time to talk about my project!
Pretty funny.
I'll let this photo do the talking.
As you can see, I painted the plywood subfloor. (Good job if you guessed that from my previous post!) I also painted the walls.
Today, I'm priming and painting miles of base shoe molding. I didn't even realize I'd need to install any molding until the carpet I ripped out left a Grand Canyon between the floor and wall.
This project has been full of unexpected twists like that.
I thought I would be finished by now. I started out thinking it would be a cakewalk, and a week later I'm living here in a new and unexpected moment that's not where I expected to be, but just as wonderful.
With no more pressure.
With no more pressure.
Confusing, I know.
Very insightful Laurel! I think you've made great progress and it looks wonderful. And we all need to let go of any pressure to post on anyone's schedule but our own!
ReplyDeleteYou have come a long way and I admire your ambition all that trim! Keep up the good work and no pressure:)
ReplyDeleteGood thing you've got Tucker on hand to inspect that moulding!! Your room looks so bright and fresh!! Good on ya... and yes, these things take time. Enjoy!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is looking marvelous! You have made good progress. I am not that talent at all. Wish I had learned a bit about fixing things around the house at least. That dog sure is cutie!!
ReplyDeleteLaurel,
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen makeover started over a month ago, and I'm still only halfway along. I TOTALLY understand what you're saying about pressure. Work on your own schedule, enjoy the journey and when you're finished - we will all share your TADA moment! I'm intrigued...
Linda
Laurel,
ReplyDeleteI have blogged both ways, in real time, and then saving things in draft until I actually got started... Do NOT feel pressured. It's done when it's done! :)
wow! there are seams... what did you do with them? I don't see them in the after. The very first blog I ever followed, Joys at Home, did this very thing as a temporary fix.... but then years later, there it was.... still there. :)
Love the colors!
gail
Laurel, You are making wonderful progress on your project. Looking very good, love the floor and the paint you picked is perfect. Just stopped by to wish you a Happy Valentine's! Hope you relax and put your feet up!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Jody
I don't usually post until I've finished a project, then I do it all at once. But I've been thinking of doing one 'as I go' because it is such a large job. I just hope I don't feel the pressure...but I'll remember your post and say 'no pressure'. And I think you've done a great job in getting done what you've got done!
ReplyDeleteDebbie :)
Your floors look great! It was worth the "wait!" I try not to feel pressure from blog world, but encouragement! Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle
ReplyDelete