Ask Aunt B

Dear Aunt B,

Our house is being remodeled. I am excited for the end result. However, we have had to live in this mess for way too long. I am losing my patience. Any advice?

Postponing Gratification Dear Postponing Gratification, Ouch, how long has it been going? I can only imagine. I would imagine you have workers in and out of your house on a daily basis. Actually, I hope it is on a daily basis. When we were building, which is, I understand, way different, I got more stressed on the days no one showed up and no work got done.

Have you started the remodel? Plan for it all. Most important part is the planning. How will you work around the remodel?

Keep to a schedule even if your contractors don’t. You need to grab control over anything you can and, of course, the only thing you can control is your own behavior.

Prepare for the dust. If you are the one cleaning up, try to do a little every day. You want to keep the dust at a minimum. This will help all of your breathing. When cleaning up try to use as natural products as possible. Your system is dealing with so much; don’t compound it with chemicals for cleaning. Do what you can to have the best air quality you can. This all will help you sleep better which will help the whole process. Most workers bring little blue booties to put over their shoes to not bring outside dirt in. If they haven’t, I found them on amazon for cheap, so buy them. They do come in a large quantity. I wish I could send you some.

Make your decisions quickly. There comes a time when you are tired of making decisions and you might make some rash ones. Usually it is better to make your best decision quickly. If not, this could drag out forever. Only you will know which decisions need more thought.

If you have a budget (I hope you do), stick to it. This being said, if you have some financial flexibility, pick quality supplies and do what you want. Don’t cut corners that you will regret later on.

Have a strategy, especially with bathrooms and kitchens. It may sound like common sense, and it is, but if you are doing more than one bathroom don’t do them at the same time. I know, I know, but it did happen to someone I know.

Use the time to declutter. Get rid of things you no longer need or use or love. It will feel so much better when you are complete.

Make your life as simple as possible. I don’t like paper plates and napkins, but now is the time to use them. This is the time to use conveniences as much as you can. It is not the time to decide that you will make all your food from scratch.

Try really hard to keep a positive, happy, fun attitude about it. Try to talk well about what is going on. Remember how good you will feel when it is complete. Practice that feeling. Weird I know but it will help, I promise. Remind yourself that the happiest you can make the journey, the happiest the outcome will be. It will look fabulous, I just know it.

Love, Aunt B

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