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Is “Good Enough” Good Enough in DIY?

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I woke early this morning, about 3:47, moments before my 4 a.m. alarm sounded, which is unusual.

But thanks to GERD, which sometimes can be a natural alarm clock (total sarcasm intended, LOL), I was up and alert and decided to spend a couple of hours this morning researching: How to Properly Lay Pavers.

As you read in my previous post, I’m creating a walkway around the side of my house, leading to my patio, which has been the focus of my Patio Makeover Challenge this month.

 

BEFORE

Creating a walkway to the patio - BEFORE pic - No walkway

 

IN PROGRESS!

Working on DIY paver walkway

 

I excitedly worked on it yesterday until we were hit with thunderstorms, at which time I disappointedly put everything away. But I was glad for the break because I’ve reached a point in the walkway where I’m not quite sure how to proceed correctly.

Let’s just be clear that I’ve never done this before. I’m a DIY walkway path virgin! 🙂

So I’ve spent the morning scanning YouTube, looking for confirmation that I’m doing this right.

I’ve Googled, hoping that my walkway isn’t going to fall apart months after installing it.

I’ve Pinterested, crossing my fingers that I’m not creating an ugly design that nobody would want to pin.

And then I stopped researching and asked myself:

“What if ‘good enough’ is good enough?”

 

Creating a walkway - Adding sand

Is “Good Enough” Good Enough in DC?

The following questions are what many DIY’ers ask when they tackle a project, especially one that they’ve never done before.

And it’s what I spent the morning asking myself as I prep my walking path for the final installation of the pavers and 36-inch stones.

What if it’s not perfect?

What if there are gaps?

What if I have wasted money?

What if it falls apart?

What if it doesn’t last?

What if nobody likes it?

What it _________?

We could fill in that last blank space with any doubt or question was want, just as I have been doing this morning while doing my research.

But then I realized the question that I should be asking is:

What if “good enough” is good enough?

 

DIY walkway with paver boarders

The Only Real Questions DIYers Should Be Asking

In addition to asking myself if good enough is good enough, the only other questions I should be asking are:

Is this safe for me and my family?

Does it look acceptable considering I’ve never done this before (or have done it very few times)?

Am I happy with it?

What have I learned from this project?

As long as we’re not going to stub our toes or trip and break a knee, it’s safe.

And yes, I’m totally loving how it’s coming along so far, even if my bricks aren’t 100% straight. Compared to the weed-infested jungle of the “BEFORE” picture, this is definitely an improvement!! (Just got to get rid of those pesky wires hanging down!).

 

DIY walkway with paver boarders - 2

 

And what have I learned?

Well, I’ve learned that this is back-breaking work.

I’ve learned that it’s expensive and often requires a lot of materials (this path has already used up about 26 bags of 40-pound rocks!!!) so it’s best to have these items delivered in bulk.

I’ve learned about using different gardening tools I had never used before.

I have learned that when you take care of the outside of your home, your pride of homeownership increases.

I have learned that you can simply dig up and replant trees and shrubs, instead of feeling like you have to work your design around them.

So….what I’ve learned has been valuable, even if the project hasn’t been perfect. Even if in the next year, if it crumbles and I have to start over, I will have learned something!

Instead of moving forward with doubt and worry, I feel pretty good that I can say, so far, this project is good enough for my family and me.

Have you ever worried about a project, and then realized, it’s good enough? Leave a comment below and let’s talk about it!

 

Is Good Enough Good Enough When It Comes to DIY - Thrift Diving

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33 Comments

  1. This one really hit home. I’m older now and do live in a condo with no yard work required beyond the pots of flowers on my deck. But here’s the thing, Its not just yard work….I’ve always been the “creative” one. I do just about every art form there is (and yes, what you’re doing is art). But the sad thing is, I’ve never truly felt like I do any of them “good enough”. I’ve enjoyed and loved and shared my work with others over the years but it’s only been with age that I’ve come to realize how nourishing and necessary creativity is to our soul. It’s a blessing to create in any capacity. Here’s another lesson….it doesn’t have to be perfect or even “done correctly”. It’s always the journey that matters the most. Just like thrift store trips. I bring some dollar item home look at it for as long as it makes me happy then pack it back up, and donate it back for someone else to enjoy. You are feeding a creative need inside yourself be it with a pile of rocks or a piece of furniture. I’m glad you’re already thinking of this stuff.

    1. Lyn, what a great observation! What you said reminded me of the book I read recently called The Magic of Tidying. And in that book she talks about how our things serve a purpose, and sometimes that purpose was to just bring joy for that moment we bought them or brought them home, and then when it’s time to let go of them, you can let go knowing that it serves its purpose. I know it’s not the same thing you’re talking about, but the importance is to enjoy that moment of pleasure, just as you do with your thrift finds. Just as I have enjoyed the process of creating this clean and pretty outdoor area for my family. 🙂 It’s all about the process!

  2. Bridgette says:

    Serena, I see all the hard work you put into this project and it’s amazing!

  3. Girl, you are fantastic!!! I too am re-doing my whole house, and it is WORK!! I am single, work each and every day. When I come home from work, I work until it gets dark in or around the house. But, I can say that “I did it by myself”. I am very proud of you!! Keep it up jean…

    1. Hey, Jean! Isn’t it so rewarding?! What are you doing to your house? OMG, if you could see how nasty and dirty I am by the time I have to go pick up my youngest from daycare! But there’s nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment when doing a project!!

  4. Katherine Cruz says:

    YES! Agree 100% with everything you said. Thanks, Serena. Keeping it real and realistic! –KatCruz

  5. Una Isaacs says:

    Serena I enjoyed seeing your effort and hard work on the patio area. It is just beautiful-I agree that this DYI passion can be expensive in the short run ( time, effort, stress and not to mention $$$$$). But the finished product is oh so worth it especially when friends and family say ” what you did this yourself”
    DYI projects are also a great stress reducer- in part because we just ‘dive in’ and take charge and get lost in the process.

    Thanks for sharing you work and ideas with us. Keep on going. Una

    1. Una, yes!!! Exactly! Getting lost in a project and seeing the results build up over time–it’s the best feeling!!! Thanks for your awesome comment and saying it perfectly! 🙂

  6. Looks wonderful to me. Impressive amount of physical labor involved – I think you can pat yourself on the back for this one! The likelihood of this path falling apart is pretty slim. You dug in the bricks that hold everything in place – being impossibly/ridiculously straight has no bearing on the strength of the path. You did all the important stuff beautifully.

  7. I think it is turning out great. The difference from the before picture to the after picture showed that
    you put a lot of work into making it look fantastic.
    I just purchased my home and feel overwhelmed by the backyard, but I do a little bit here and there and I can see small improvements so that gives me the incentive to keep going.
    Keep up the good work!!
    Kelly

  8. Janice Farnsworth says:

    It looks beautiful! Not “good enough” but beautiful! You’ve done a wonderful job!

  9. I am totally impressed by your new walkway, I think it looks great. I am wondering about the Bush at the corner of your house. lt looks like it is very close to your house. Do you think it could be transplant ed to the center of that area so it has more room to Grow?

  10. Sherry Stuifbergen says:

    IT looks “Wow.” I think your family should appreciate all your hard work. I don’t think you will redo this project any time soon because it looks good right now and should last for a long time. That to me is “good” and it is not “good enough” which denotes “git ‘er done” attitude when your heart is not into the project. Your heart was into this, as it is in all your work and projects. You are a hard worker. Sherry

    1. Awww….I didn’t think of it that way, Sherry! You are so right! “Good enough” does sound like “git ‘er done” which just sounds like a slap-job. But you are right–my heart and soul went into this project and I’m so excited about how it’s turning out! I see my kids actually WANTING to go out and make mud pies, so I think this plan of getting the family outside is WORKING! 🙂 At least, a little. 🙂 Thanks for shining a new perspective on this!

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