DIY is a lifestyle and a life choice. Sometimes you face obstacles in your DIY projects, and you need a bit of inspiration and hope to continue on your chosen path. I see you, and I hear you! I’m here to encourage you with some of the best advice for your DIY life. Let these be a gentle reminder that you’re not alone in your desire to be the best DIY mom, and just because you don’t consider yourself that creative doesn’t mean you can’t make creative things. Keep reading for some motivation and get back to DIY!
1.Keep It Simple, Stupid
First on my list of the best advice is this “KISS” acronym. I wouldn’t say I like the term stupid. It’s a “bad word” in my house. No one should ever be referred to as such! However, I do say it to myself in my head as a lighthearted way to remind me not to go overboard in DIY projects! Sometimes we get lost in minor details that really don’t matter.
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
This is a hard one for me! I am so used to doing it all because I’m a mom, and moms usually do it all. I have to make a big effort to stop and ask for help. Not expect help but literally ask for help. We can’t do it all, and we shouldn’t even try. To find help in the most unlikely places; we need to ask.
3. We All Began As Something Else
This was my late father’s favorite saying. Everyone has a starting point in life, in DIY projects, in planning. We where start compared to where we end up can look completely different. So don’t compare yourself to anyone else. They may seem to have their DIY life totally together and perfect, but it may not have started that way!
4. Keep Peddaling And You Will Get There
My Grandma gave me a card in my twenties that said this. Like any other young adult, I was trying to figure out my life, who I was, what I wanted to be, what was for dinner. She probably felt like I needed some encouragement! This card didn’t make sense until now because I made it to my destination. It was the best advice she gave me. Don’t give up! Becoming the best DIY mom can seem impossible but keep trying new projects, practice your balloon decorations, you will get better and closer to your destination!
5. You Can Do It
Don’t say can’t until your try it! Trying is good for your brain because you may learn something new! If something looks fun or interesting to you on Pinterest, give it a try! Don’t give up halfway through either. Promise me that you won’t say “I can’t” until you complete the project all the way through!
6. Don’t Second Guess Yourself
I second guess myself a lot! So now that I am aware of this character flaw, I try to stick with my original thought or plan. The moment you second guess anything, such as picking the right color for your walls, you spiral into a frenzy of doubt and unnecessary stress. They say the first choice that comes to mind is usually your best choice. Declare it as such and keep going. I remind myself that I can always evaluate my decision and change course later, but first, I have to sit with it for a while.
7. Mistakes Are Happy Little Accidents
My favorite painter, Bob Ross, said this, and I love it! DIY mistakes don’t ruin the project. Keep going! I love when someone has their own interpretation of my projects. That’s how creativity should be. Mistakes give character to things. You know we describe objects by their mistakes. How many times have you pointed out something by saying, “The one with the dent in the side.” And the person you were speaking to knew what you meant. Keep your mistakes; they make for a great end product.
8. It’s Okay To Be Imperfect
Social media has made us feel the pressure to be perfect. I mean, where do some moms find the time to post perfect family photos, have these awesome careers, be a perfect homemaker, and dress like they are doing a photoshoot every day? I thought I was doing good by showering every day! No one is perfect, and we all have our struggles. I have to remind myself that social media is a person’s “brand” whether they have their own business or not. We have gotten really good at branding ourselves and only showing the positive aspects of our life. The best advice I can give you is to continue to be who you are, even with your imperfections!
9. Focus On The Positive
When things seem bad, and you feel like the worst mom because no one liked your DIY cake or your family photo didn’t come out the way you had planned, think about the positives. You do a lot of awesome things that make you special. My best advice would be to write them down! It could be as simple as saying you make perfect bows, or people say you have a nice smile or that your family complimented you on dinner! These are positives that can build us up and keep us going!
10. Enjoy The Little Moments
A hug from your toddler, a laugh you shared with your spouse, baking cookies with the kids. Enjoy being with the people you love the most. Slow down and take in the details around you. It’s not so much completing a Pinterest activity with your child. It’s the laugh they let out when they made something silly or the excitement on their face when they found out they were doing something fun with you. These are the moments we will cherish when we get old and gray.
11. Let Your Kids Be Kids
Okay, this is personal to me because I am always apologizing for the noise and mess in my house, but my veteran moms always say, “they’re kids; that’s what they do.” As moms, we need to stop apologizing for kids being kids. No, they aren’t going to follow directions on an activity, and yes, they will make a big mess when baking, and sure they will run around, have meltdowns, forget their manners during that party you worked so hard to put together. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t correct bad behavior; we should stop apologizing as if it doesn’t happen to even the best of moms. Kids are unpredictable at times. It makes life exciting!
12. Laugh At Yourself
I laugh at myself every day. If my life were a movie, it would be a slap-stick comedy! Instead of being frustrated or wanting to give up, find the funny in the situation. I like to make rolls from scratch using a recipe I found on Pinterest, and it seems like they turn out awful every time I make them for a family gathering. THEY ARE THE BEST ROLLS EVER when I make them on a normal Wednesday night for my husband and kids! But when I have to make a batch for family, I watch as people throw the rolls out in the trash because they don’t come out right! Sure, it’s embarrassing, and it hurts my pride a little, but I crack up watching them try to throw them away sneakily. I can make a good roll, but not for large groups!
13. Be Your Best DIY You
You can’t be your mother, your friend, your neighbor, or your favorite pinner. All you can be is your best you! You are great just as you are, and you don’t have to be somebody else to be great at DIY. At least, that is what I have learned from the movies on that subject.
14. Every Problem Has A Solution
I believe this is a mathematical term, but it is something I tell myself when I DIY. You can solve any problem. The issue is keeping your mind open to finding that solution and accepting that it may not be a convenient solution or something simple and obvious. I was trying to figure out how to get rid of gray hairs without coloring my hair, and I couldn’t find that magic elixir. I did find a solution, though, and that was to stop about them!
15. Be Proud Of Your DIY Work
Even the worst-made movie in the world took time and effort to make. Someone spent time and money writing that terrible script, casting actors, and designing sets. Don’t overlook the time you spent on a project just because it didn’t come out well. Be proud that you made an effort and you did your best! There is plenty of room for participation medals in DIY!
16. It’s Okay To Walk Away For A Moment
When a DIY project isn’t coming together and you begin to get frustrated, walk away. Do something else. COme back later with a fresh set of eyes. I’m no stranger to putting a project down and walking away even for months at a time!
17. If DIY Doesn’t Bring You Joy…
You’ve probably heard about the trend around eliminating clutter and throwing things out that you don’t use or don’t make you happy. Sometimes we can clutter our lives with DIY projects. Do you even know how many recipe pins you have saved? Probably not! What makes it worse is when DIY stops being fun and turns into a second job. We have sleepless nights, crying spells, it’s like being in a bad relationship. DIY should be enjoyable so if it doesn’t make you happy then you should “break-up.”
I hope my best advice has helped brighten your day and keep you encouraged as you navigate your DIY life! Remember, I have lots of great resources in my Freebie Library. Use them as an additional form of support!
