Delete, delete, delete

I wished for a back button, a way to undo what I had started.  Delete, delete, delete! If only I could rewind to just before I applied the first coat of paint and change course.  I thought to myself, the cabinets aren't that bad, why can't I just leave well enough alone? I'm referring to the moment my cabinet painting project went from concept to reality.  The excitement I felt as I prepared to start what I dubbed my mini kitchen makeover turned to regret instantly.

When we bought our first house, we did a lot of home improvement projects ourselves out of necessity.  From those early days, a DIY fanatic was born.  I love the thrill of starting a new project and the transformation that happens as the result of my own hard work.  I have had a paintbrush in my hand for most of the last ten years, but I kept putting off this project despite the fact that I have despised my 90s builder grade kitchen cabinets since day one. The dread I felt as I dipped my brush in the paint reminded me that often it's not time or skill level or resources that hold us back, it is fear of the unknown. We don't start something new because we don't know how, but we'll never learn if we don't start.  This dilemma is paralyzing and leaves projects undone and potential unrealized.

It turns out there is nothing mini about my kitchen makeover. Six weeks later I'm still deglossing, sanding and painting.  It is a tedious process but with each cabinet door my technique improves and I get a little faster. The regret is gone and the anticipation of realizing my vision is back. This is why I love home ownership.  Where else can you take on a project of this scope on a whim without experience? Our homes are a blank canvas to realize our visions, discover new passions and talents and develop skills in areas we had no idea we had an aptitude for. I'm moving towards mastery with each brush stroke and as a new layer of dust settles over everything marking another set of doors moving to the next phase of the process, I am so thankful I passed the point of no return.