HEALTH
IS BEING A STARTER WEARING YOU DOWN? By Leah Sobon
Starting a new home project is an exciting part of home ownership. It adds value, increases the enjoyment of your home, and often satisfies the urge to move into something more expensive with less work.
Y O U P L U N G E D H E A D F I R S T I N TO Y O U R N E W P R O J E C T W I T H E V E RY I N T E N T I O N O F F I N I S H I N G W H AT Y O U S TA RT E D - B U T D I D Y O U F I N I S H ? Maybe this new project has bumped into an unfinished older, less exciting commitment that found an unceremonious place on the to-do list. You know – that daunting and expansive list that has all your free time occupied for the next 50 years – not to mention your expendable income. This behavior stretches well beyond the joists and walls of your home projects. It includes impulse purchases such as new vehicles, fun outdoor toys, and even vacations.
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C RAC KYL MAGAZ I N E
We love starting new projects and commitments - but what happens when the fun and excitement wear off and your ‘Country Living’-inspired shiplap is still missing that 16-foot piece you said you would get around to on your next day off? Or that backyard landscaping project that has piles of dirt scattered across your lawn, making the once usable space impassable? Or when that new car loses its appeal but you’re committed to eight years of payments that were already higher than you could afford? Being a starter is exhausting – not only for the individual pulling the trigger but also for the entire family. Can we do something that satisfies the urge to start a project while maintaining our prior commitments? Being a starter isn’t always a bad thing and many have the ability to complete the tasks, obtaining the prestigious title of being a finisher too. But why do first responders exhibit this behavior in the first place?
Our can-do attitude is contagious. We pride ourselves on how well we make everything work. Broke your leg? We will splint it and make you comfortable. House on fire? We will salvage what is salvageable and make sure everyone is safe. Did your cat go up a tree? Well, that’s too bad. Just kidding – we’ll figure that out too. Firefighters and first responders are incredible problem solvers who very seldom say “I can’t do that.” We work through everything, no matter how daunting it seems. This powerful mindset and attitude, however, seems to follow us around, especially in our homes.
S O H OW D O W E AV O I D T H E S U F F O C AT I N G P I L E O F P R O J E C T S AND COMMITMENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
