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Though property is often a worthwhile investment, every house eventually goes through some wear and tear. As the years go on, it’s easy to ignore the aging furnishings, appliances and structural aging that’s occurring in your home. Though regular maintenance can help prevent big issues like major flooding and foundation damage, it’s still likely that the time will come when you need to help your house through a midlife crisis.
Whether you’re looking to make some minor tweaks, or do an entire overhaul of your home, there are some important things to keep in mind when making changes for your house. It’s important that you set the right intentions moving forward, and remember that projects like these take time.
You may want to do a revamp of your home once all of your children have moved out, or to get ready to sell it to move to a smaller space. Transitional times in our lives happen, and they can cause us to be stressed and overwhelmed with the future. These changes can sometimes cause people to feel emotional, and they may start to wonder if they are experiencing a midlife crisis. If you’re looking for more information on midlife crises, check out these articles from BetterHelp. Over time, both you and your home can get back to a healthy space.
Make A Plan
Making a plan for what work you need to do on your house is the first step in supporting it through its midlife crisis. For anyone who is financially linked to the property, it’s a good idea to walk through the space and agree on any repairs or renovations you’d like to make. Everyone’s needs need to be taken care of, and agreeing on a budget is crucial to preventing any stress or conflict.
Home repairs and renovations can be stressful for the people involved, so it’s also a good idea to find ways to connect that don’t center on the changes you’re looking to make. Though it would be amazing if we could all snap our fingers and have the work be magically finished, home improvements take time and patience. The last thing you want is the project to divide the members of your household, or cause any unnecessary friction.
Your plan should cover your overall budget, how you plan on working through the space, who will be responsible for what, and how long you’d like to take it to be completed. If one person in the household is handy and wants to make certain repairs themself, the other might want to offer to pick up materials. If contractors are involved, decide how you’ll pick a company. Working as a team is key for people who are looking to make changes in their home together. It’s important for everyone to follow through with their commitments, and only pledge to do what they’re capable of.
Finding inspiration online or from home improvement magazines is a great way to ensure that you know exactly what you’re hoping to achieve. By deciding on colors, textures and shapes that you’re hoping to incorporate into your space, you can prevent any unwanted miscommunication. Before you start any work on your house, make sure that everyone is on the same page, and have a clear idea of how the changes will work cohesively. It’s also important to think about functionality and be realistic in your planning. Though a pure white couch might be an exciting idea and add an aesthetic that you love, it may not be the best idea for young children. Though the rooms in your home may have individual features, you want your home to have connecting threads that ties it all together.
Prioritize Your Needs
Depending on the magnitude of the changes you’d like to make on your house, you may have to prioritize what aspects are most important to you and your family. If you plan on continuing to live in the house as you’re making repairs, it’s important to keep certain parts of the home as livable spaces while the work is being completed. It’s no secret that renovations sometimes take longer than expected, so keep that in mind when you’re making adjustments.
It’s also important to ask yourself why you’re looking to make the changes that you are. A person who is looking to flip a house and put it on the market is going to have very different priorities than a person who is trying to make some simple updates to meet the needs of those who live there. By making a list of what’s important to you and why, you can make sure that you get the most important fixes done first. This also helps you feel motivated and encouraged by the progress you’re making. The more that you see things getting done, the more excited you’ll be.
Start Small
Once you start looking at your house with a critical eye, you may find yourself wanting to change absolutely everything. A water stain can lead to you wanting to completely alter the look of your ceilings all together. Buying a new couch? You may want to change all the furniture in the room to match. Rather than immediately making large changes, start small. Sometimes homes just need a little work to get them out of a midlife crisis and help them feel more modern.
Patience Is Key
Practicing patience is one of the most important things you can do while you’re working on a home improvement project. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your house. Though you may find yourself daydreaming of when all the work is complete, enjoying the process can help you feel more grounded throughout your house’s glow up. Remember why you started the project, and allow yourself to be excited for the end project.
If your house is going through a midlife crisis, rest assured that a little love and care can make all the difference. Everyone deserves to live in a space that meets their needs, feels like a reflection of their best selves. You worked hard to get your house, and you should be proud of every aspect of it. With a little extra effort, time and love, your home can return to its glory days.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.