Procrastination vs. Aspirational Daydreams
" Turning your garage into a mechanics sanctuary is a big step toward expanding your trade talents. "
- On the Pulse, Tips for Building the Ultimate Garage Workshop
When I was a little kid, or as far back as I can remember, I wanted to be like my dad. I wanted to mow the grass and wash the cars. I wanted to wear work boots and build stuff. I wanted a work bench will tons of tools. Granted, my dad's work bench was total chaos, but I always swore that mine would be organized better.
I'm now an adult. I love mowing the lawn but hate washing cars. I own several pairs of work boots. I haven't built anything since I moved out of my parents' house - I never had the tools when I was still able enough to use them, thus I never had a work bench. That doesn't stop me from daydreaming. Or it didn't, until roughly two years ago.
Time has seemingly stood still over the past two years, yet it advanced rapidly when I wasn't paying attention. I want so badly to make something - Anything - before I'm too decrepit to do it. To set up shop and let my imagination guide me. The garage! Oh my God, it has promise! The basement! It already has work bench! So many tools gathering dust! Set that up for minor projects, including shared space with Jeff so he can work on his models. Hell, we already have an airbrush system.
Procrastination is slowly killing these aspirational daydreams.
I have ideas about running trim where ceiling meets wall to hide the uneven plaster job. Our ceilings downstairs are showing their age, so why not run beams along them to better shore them up? I know how to do this. I watched, I learned, I participated.
I need to re-anchor the kitchen cabinet above the stove. Might as well center it above the appliance, and perhaps vent it to the outside... wait, it does have wiring. Hmm.
I need to strip, sand, and repaint all the damn kitchen cabinets. I could add shelves to the walls, a perfect way to claim unused space.
I should replace the trays in the kitchen tray ceiling as well. No, I can't just take them down and work on restoring the plaster there. There is a huge gash from entrance to back door. I have no idea what the purpose is. Perhaps I can slap up thin plywood boards surfaced with some decorative, faux tin strips. Just gotta find a solution for plumbing access.
The rotted deck out back needs to be replaced. We have the tools to do it, though a teeny part of me would love to make a wheelchair ramp. We have one in the front yard, but it's ugly and I never park in front of the house.
The front porch! I wish we could close it in. That's a job for a real carpenter or a contractor.
One to-do box at a time, I suppose. The first step is reclaiming our lives to better empower ourselves, mentally and physically. Reclaim a sense of purpose. It can be done! The procrastination needs to end.
