Renovating a Condemned House

The Christmas That Changed Everything

Six years ago, we bought a cheap, dilapidated, unlivable house that had amazing potential—a leap of faith, a dream in the making. I imagined family holidays filled with laughter, beautifully restored rooms glowing with warmth, and cozy nights by the wood stove.

But reality gave me a Joan Crawford-level slap—less 'I'm mad at you' and more of an 'I'm mad at the unfinished walls' type of slap.

When that first Christmas came, and it was far too cold to stay. And instead of a cozy gathering with friends, I was somewhere else, staring at unfinished walls and feeling the heavy weight of 'almost' and 'not yet.' I kept waiting for someday—waiting for things to be perfect before I allowed myself to truly enjoy them. Then it hit me: waiting for 'someday' was stealing my joy.

Six Years of Waiting for 'Perfect'

For six long years, this crazy house has been a work in progress—just like me. We spent summers in a fifth wheel trailer while I slowly patched things up. There was always something to fix, something to paint, something to finish. But in the back of my mind, there was always this thought: “It’s going to be good when it’s done.”

I was waiting for someday. Someday, when the house was fully finished. Someday, when it looked like the picture-perfect home I envisioned. Only then would I allow myself to enjoy it.

But that “someday” never seemed to arrive. And I realized something that changed everything:

Waiting for perfection was stealing my joy.

The Realization: Joy in the Unfinished

One day, it hit me—I couldn’t keep waiting for this house to be perfect. Life was happening now, and I was missing it. This house, with all its imperfections, was still ours. It was a place where laughter echoed and Show Tune Sundays brought the house to life, even if the walls weren’t perfectly painted. It was a place where memories were already being made, creaky floorboards and all.

So we decided to start truly living in it—not waiting for it to be finished, but embracing it as it was. I created small, cozy spaces with what we had—a comfy armchair by the window, a table adorned with a few thrifted knickknacks that made me smile. We began inviting friends over, not because the house was ready, but because we were ready to live in it.

And you know what? Those moments brought more joy than any perfectly renovated room ever could.

3 Lessons I Learned from Living in an Unfinished Farmhouse

1. Joy Can’t Wait for Completion: Life is happening now. If we keep waiting for the perfect circumstances, we’ll miss out on the joy that’s right in front of us.

2. Perfectionism is a Thief of Memories: The pursuit of perfection made me put off experiences that could have become cherished memories. Letting go of perfectionism allowed me to enjoy every crooked nail, every paint splotch, and every laugh in between.

3. Small Wins Deserve Big Celebrations: When I finally got the front door to open and close without the help of “the jaws of life,” I celebrated like I’d just finished the whole house. I made myself a cup of my favorite coffee and sat on the front porch, admiring that door as if it were a masterpiece. Learning to celebrate small wins made the process enjoyable rather than exhausting.

Practical Steps to Embrace the Now

If you’re also caught in the “waiting for someday” trap, here are a few things that worked for me:

• Set Up a Cozy Corner: Pick a space, however unfinished, and make it your sanctuary. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just comfortable enough to make you smile.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Every small task you complete, take a moment to celebrate. Play your favorite song, cook a nice meal, or invite someone over to share it with.

• Invite People Over: Don’t wait for the “right moment” to host. Make memories with the people you care about, regardless of whether everything looks just right.

Your Turn to Share

Are you waiting for “someday”? What’s a project you’ve put off because it’s not perfect yet? I’d love to hear your story—share it with me by replying to this email or dropping a comment. Let’s find joy in the now, together.

If this story resonated with you, I'd love for you to share your own journey. Are you waiting for ‘someday’ before allowing yourself to enjoy something? What’s one step you could take today to embrace the imperfect moments? Hit reply and let me know your story—I read every response."

And if you think someone else might need this reminder, feel free to forward this email to them. Let’s build a community that finds joy in the now, together.