Day 44: Projects – How to Cut Down and Simplify DIY Projects

May 14, 2013April 24, 2017

What: Projects

Why: Pinterest. Websites. Facebook. Blogs. HGTV. DIY. If you are looking for something to do, all you have to do is jump on any one of these websites or tv stations and you will find something to do in a jiffy. Unfortunately, it isn’t that we are looking for something to do; it is often that we are lacking time and these websites and tv shows only add MORE clutter into our already busy lives. DIY projects have flooded the streams! How have you been affected? Do you have countless projects that you have bought supplies for already and haven’t even started? Here are easy steps to organizing and living with fewer abandoned projects.

How:
1. Think about all of the hobbies and projects you have going on right now. (This may include: jewelry making, knitting, crocheting, DIY projects, any crafts, etc.)

2. Here are some questions to think about:

Do you still enjoy those particular projects?
Why have you abandon them? Not enough time? Do you anticipate yourself finishing them someday?
Do you have all of the supplies you need to finish the project?
Why have you started another project when you already had one you needed to finish first?
Can you FIND all of the projects you started?
Would someone else get more use, appreciate, or enjoy finishing the project instead?

3. This is the time consuming part:

Go through each project you have going on – either make a list of the items you need to finish the project, or donate/give it to someone else to finish.

4. Whatever projects you have left, put them all into one container/bin/box. Why? So that when you have some time to do a project, you know which ones you need to do first and finish, instead of starting a new one.

5. In other words, FINISH the project. Don’t just do it to just finish it. If you are not going to enjoy the time it will take to finish it, you need to just get rid of it. There is a reason why you abandoned the project -don’t fall into the trap again.

6. Prevent the “abandon project syndrome” by being intentional about what you buy. If you have projects sitting at home, those need to be done first or they will never get done.

Confession of the Day: Can I just say I am the QUEEN of doing this? I get into a project, but realize it is taking me WAY too long, so I abandon it. Then it ends up sitting there and collecting dust, for no good reason. Then I feel guilty and wonder WHY I started it in the first place? Now I can fit all of my projects (except my crocheting and scrapbooking) into one container (picture above). Don’t become addicted to projects. Don’t become addicted to Pinterest. Enjoy what you have, enjoy making it, and prevent abandoned projects. Live with less by accomplishing your started projects first.

What abandoned projects do you have that you need to finish?

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2 Comments

KKay says:

January 7, 2014 at 7:12 pm

Awesome post. I have this problem! It's so bad now that I have an entire closet full of barely started or half-finished projects…mostly because halfway through I realize I don't have all the materials I need for it or I run out of time and put it in a box and forget about it. All the unfinished things are cluttering my mind as well as my house. I am going to bookmark this post and get to it this weekend!!

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Kristin says:

January 7, 2014 at 8:35 pm

Thank you! The running out of time…so true! I find I so often have these big aspirations, yet rarely live them out! I hope this weekend that you are able to tackle that closet and don't feel guilty for getting rid of half-done projects! Donate the materials. Think about the clearing of the MIND that it will do and the space. It truly is freeing! Thanks for commenting!

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