We’ve got a fun annual tradition each year on June 2nd! To celebrate my birthday and completely ignore the fact that I’m aging, I give stuff away. 🙂 It’s also a big THANK YOU for reading and helping make my dreams come true for another year
Before we get to that fun, I thought I’d share a couple of the things I’ve learned this year.
The first HUGE one has been giving up some control and asking for help. As much as I love a tidy, organized space, I’m a horrible housekeeper. I told myself that there was no excuse for not having a clean house most of the time because I work from home. I should be able to do it all, right?
WRONG! No one can do everything on their own.
But, I noticed I could stay more focused and get more work done (and make more money) when the house was clean.
It wasn’t just inside the house that was a struggle. The front landscaping has turned into weed central every summer.
When a friend from church mentioned being on a quest to pay off old medical debt, I thought about how much she liked working in flower beds AND liked to stay busy on her days off. BINGO!
Now she comes over about one day a week for just a couple hours and maintains the flower bed, then cleans the downstairs. It’s the best decision I’ve made this year! I pay less than I would a traditional cleaning service and she makes more per hour than she would if she added a part-time job. It’s been the perfect win-win scenario!
Because I’m also helping someone, it helped counter the totally unnecessary guilt I had about not doing everything myself.
My advice to you is to think about your most dreaded activities, and then think about creative solutions to off-load them to someone else’s plate OR think of ways to make them more fun!
The second one is annoying and embarrassing, but hopefully, will help someone else. Or at least help me remember to not go down this path again.
For several months in the past year, I kinda sorta forgot that generosity includes more than money and time. Being generous with knowledge is right up there.
That’s never been a problem in the past, I love teaching people and helping them succeed. And I never stopped doing what I could to help friends and alert them to opportunities, even if it meant them getting a spot instead of me.
But….
I found myself, more than once, saying things to my friend Angela (Bluei Style ) like “that trick can be our little secret” or “yeah, but we don’t want everyone to know that”.
Yikes.
Not only was I going down a path outside of my character, I was dragging her down with me!
When I put together that being stingy can mean many different things, I became much more aware of my words, thoughts, and actions. Hopefully, I’m back to being knowledge-generous for good!
Speaking of that, I’m doing an Intro to Blogging panel in Tulsa at 36 Degrees North on June 8th, 2017. So if you’re local and interested in blogging, come see me!
Now for the giveaway! To pick the prize, I thought about the best additions to our house from the past year.
For Christmas, Corey surprised me with an Amazon Echo, and I LOVE it. I have a full post planned to tell you why, but the short version is that music now fills the house every day, I no longer forget things at the store because we tell Alexa as soon as we run out of something, and verbally setting the timer is awesome for everything from cooking to doing planks!
So that is option A if you win.
Option B is a $150 gift card to Cost Plus World Market!
I know you haven’t seen it yet, but the back patio is finished and it’s my absolute favorite spot to be now.
I’m sharing the photos on Monday, but I got REALLY lucky and World Market was looking for two people to use their patio furniture in a makeover at the same time we were already working on the backyard. It’s probably the most work I’ve ever put into a pitch, because I knew if they selected me, I could save the money we planned to spend on the patio furniture and put it toward the deck and dining furniture. All those prior One Room Challenge examples of makeovers must have paid off, because I was selected!
Since I ended up getting most of the patio decor you’ll see Monday at World Market, I thought it would be fun to give someone the chance to win a gift card and buy several of the items for their own house. This giveaway is NOT sponsored in any way, I just thought the timing would be fun to give back in a way that coincidences with my new favorite spot!
I’m only leaving the giveaway open until Monday night, so enter now!
Thank you so much for reading and your kind comments and emails this year. I appreciate you more than you could ever know!
Amber says
I’m anxious for your Echo review. I’ve been wanting one!
Melissa George says
Oh good! I really wanted it, but was afraid I would use it. It’s refreshed to get something and use it MORE than you expect instead of less. I’ll aim to get it published this month for you!
Amanda K says
I’ve learned that if I take my home improvement projects one thing at a time but research it well enough it will pay off. We added garden beds last spring but there wasn’t time to fill them and I felt bad all summer, fall and winter watching them sit empty. But I researched while I waited and this spring had a game plan for what would go where and now I’m reaping the benefits! Now to do this on our basement reno plan!!
Melissa George says
That is so true! Patience is hard when you want things done, but that waiting time can lead to incredible ideas. Best luck with the basement planning!
Stephanie Doyle says
Two things I’ve learned this year, 1, you can never make everyone happy so do what you love and 2) don’t be afraid to fail!
Melissa George says
So good, Stephanie! That 2nd one is so hard to overcome, but the best things I’ve accomplished have involved being brave and knowing it’s okay if things don’t go according to plan A, because plan C could exceed your highest expectations.
Candy Walsh says
This year I’ve learned to try and appreciate more all the blessings I have in my life. I have several chronic pain illnesses and was focusing more on that and myself than all the other great things in my life. Like my most awesome one year grandson!!
Melissa George says
What a gift he must be! I get to hang out with my 3 year old nephew every week and thought he couldn’t get more fun than when he was 1, but wow do you have some enjoyment coming your way in the next two years!
Julie says
Love the ideas you give!
Melissa George says
Thank you Julie!
Evelyn Burton says
The Echo is interesting and for a list maker it would be the same only faster!! The patio furniture is one area that I have a great need. Celebrate your birthday and enjoy. You are such a great inspiration to me.
Melissa George says
Thank you so much for continuing to read another year, Evelyn! I love when I see your name pop up and really appreciate you long time support!
Cornelia L Short says
Hello,
I have to say what an inspirational post today and thank you for sharing. I made the decision to hire a lawn service that does it all for my husband this past year and it’s one of the best investments I made ? When my hubby comes home from work on Fridays the yard is done and looks great. So instead of spending most of his Saturday doing yard work he gets to do whatever he wants too ? Happy Hubby makes a Happy Wife!
Happy birthday and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Melissa George says
Thank you Cornelia! I’m really hoping we can do that this year as well. Actually, I need to priotize it! I’ve had someone cone put a few times in the past when I know he is overhwlemed with work, but having it do every week would be a huge help to him!
Kendra Nay says
Thank you for your blog. I’ve learned over the last year that my world had become small. So, the Lord has been working on my heart to reach out to others more and be aware of the needs of others around me.
Melissa George says
Wow, Kendra, I love that SO MUCH!
Sara says
I so needed to hear this… Thank you Kendra!
Sarah says
I’ve learned to look at the big picture!!
I’m the proverbial neat-freak and yet, same as you, I’m not the best housekeeper. I’m awesome AT cleaning (thanks, Mom), but not awesome at making sure I’m cleaning on a regular basis. So my bedroom carpet may be dog hair free but not at the same time that tumbleweed-esk balls of doggy hair are billowing down the hallway. My mail may be sorted and filed but not at the same time that my fridge is clean of questionable leftovers and expired milk. My laundry may be done but– okay, you get the idea. My issue is I’d always get distracted while cleaning by something that needed to be organized!
Moving to a new house a few months ago has made me realize I cannot organize every little thing right away. It’s going to take time. In the meantime, I can’t let two black dogs have their run of the house without taking care of their tumbleweeds. Balance, grasshopper, balance.
Melissa George says
Hahaha! You sound EXACTLY like me, right down to the dog hair blowing down the hallway. We thought nothing could shed as bad as our lab, then we got Maddie the German Shepherd. She’s losing her winter undercoat right now, and it’s unbelievable.
carol clark says
i learned to clam down not to jump ahead and go well that is what it was and move on
Melissa George says
Gosh, that is the truth!!!
Debbie says
Your blog has helped me with special space organizing…coffee table for sure!!!
Melissa George says
Oh good!!! I’m so glad Debbie!
Maree Sperle says
I have learnt this year to exercise activities that I enjoy doing and that I will continue to do. I tried a number of different exercise classes and liked two classes so have continued those plus I started table tennis which I have become addicted to.
Melissa George says
That’s awesome Mater! I had a similar epiphany that I am much more likely to work out and work out harder when we have a gym membership than ehen I try to do things at home. It was an expense we cut out when I started to focus in making the blog my job, bit three years later I had gained 20 pounds and knew I needed to focus on gettin healthy again.
Amy says
Oh I am so excited about this giveaway. CostPlus is my favorite store!
One thing I’ve learned this past year is that even if I don’t feel like my house is stylistically done inside to just open my house up and have people over anyway! I’m sort of (ahem, very much) a perfectionist, so even though we moved into our house a year ago, I still have some blank walls and unfisinished spaces. But I decided that my friends and neighbors don’t care about that. So I’m trying to get over not yet finding the perfect print or cobsole table and having people over to my “work in progress”!
Melissa George says
Oh my gosh, YES YES YES!!! I had a huge complex having people over because imagine being a decor blogger as your career, but then opening the doors for people to see all the undone spaces and blank walls. But, that’s just silly. First, like you said, I’m the only one that cares! And then I realized it was selfish to not have people over when we were blessed with enough room to entertain. I also admit, my issue diminished when we finally decorated the entryway. I think we spent $200 dollars on my most frustrating space, and suddenly I loved the entire house so much more and was more ready to invite people in. That was another good lesson to look for small changes that make a huge difference.
Amy says
Right?? I’m a photographer, so every time I see a blank wall in my house I think my friends will wonder why the heck I haven’t decorated my space with my own prints! But–again–perfectionism. Ack! What if it’s not right? Oh man, just typing that makes it seem SO SILLY. But the inner turmoil is real. I just pinned your entryway post and am totally gaining inspiration for my next project. You’re right – it’s the first thing people see when they walk in, and some small changes there can make a huge impact. Thanks for your blog. I love it!! (p.s. sorry about all the typos on my previous comment. Big fingers/small phone. lol)
Melissa George says
Yes! And I often feel silly admitting
things like that too, but then I find out lots of other people waste time worrying about them. We need each other’s support to say ‘I understand why you feel that way, but knock it off. People are more important than things’. 🙂
Joy Lynn Shanor says
I love reading your posts!! The two biggest thing I’ve learned this year…after purchasing a new home (new construction = completely blank canvas) is #1 it doesn’t have to be completely decorated immediately #2 you don’t have to spend a ton of money to decorate! I’m really loving printables. I can change up my decor seasonally for pennies! My home is a work in progress but whose isn’t? I’m always looking to blogs or Pinterest for ideas but that can get overwhelming.
I’m hoping for that $150 gift card to Cost Plus World Market! ;o)
Joy Lynn Shanor says
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Melissa George says
YES!!! When you have a new house, it’s easy to want it to be perfect right away, but that is not reality for most people. We’ve been in this house 5 years and the only room that is finished upstairs is the bathroom. The rest still have hand me down furniture and the bare essentials to function when family comes to stay. It’s a long process, but the great thing is that my style has evolved and developed so much in the 5 years, that I would have been sad if everything was ‘done’ how I would have done it 5 years ago. Working on one to two spaces a year over the past few years has been so much better. Even though I occasionally wish it was all perfect now. 🙂
april aakre says
I have learned that I need to make time for myself even if it just to read a book it makes me a better wife and mother
Melissa George says
Good one, April! Stopping to read is one of those things I go through cycles of doing passionately and then forgetting, but it is so refreshing and needed to have that escape!
Lilly says
happy birthday!!
Melissa George says
Thank you Lilly!
Theda says
I remembered something I learned a long time ago! The mess/chaos is not as bad as it looks. With that reminder, I can allow myself an opportunity to relax while cleaning up or reorganizing or general declutter’ing’. That freedom brings me to a place of peace.
I enjoy your blog. The Master Bedroom closet makeover is my favorite, as mine is the same shape as yours, minus the windows. I hope to redo mine this year, using your plan.
Melissa George says
YES! Sometimes we have to learn lessons and then relearn them again, but there is huge freedom in the balance of being organized, but also letting go of perfection when you realize everything can be put back together in less time than you think, so it’s 100% okay when things get out of place. The peace is real whrn you can just take a moment to enjoy the day regardless of messes made. Life is messy!
Sara says
I’ve learned that you can get a lot done in fifteen minutes. I set a timer and am always absolutely amazed at how much I can accomplish in that bit of time. I hate, hate, hate weeding, but set a timer and can do my whole flower bed with time left over! If I don’t set a timer, it takes forever, because I become perfectionistic and it’s no good. 😉
Melissa George says
Oh gosh, Sara, that is a brilliant lesson and one I’m learned before bit tend to forget more than I would like. Thank you for the reminder!
Holly @ While I'm Waiting... says
I’m getting much, much, MUCH better at saying NO so my yes-es can be more intentional!
Melissa George says
That’s a HUGE win Holly! I love it when I can say yes now because of something else I’ve said NO to.
Lisa says
Happy Birthday Melissa!!! I hope you have a great day and an awesome year! And maybe some wine ? ? I am really looking forward to the patio post ? Have a great weekend!
Melissa George says
Thank you Lisa! There is wine on the agenda tonight!