Hey guys! Have you checked out the votes on the BHG Challenge? Well, lets just say that there is no chance of my potting bench taking over 1st place. I wanted to feel sorry for myself a bit this weekend for losing so big and then I found out that a friend at church has a brain tumor. And his attitude is beautiful. And I thought, really, a potting bench? Does it even matter how far in last place you are? Umm, I'm thinking no.
I thought this would be a great chance for us to talk about fear. Fear in decorating, fear in life, letting it control you and what you do. I used to be a slave to fear but I am breaking free more and more. I've overcome a lot of obstacles in my life and here's what I've found, I've never regretted taking a chance, even if I fail. This BHG Challenge is a good example. I almost said no out of fear, but I made myself do it anyway. I was afraid I'd fail. And guess what? It looks like I did! But who cares? I like my potting bench. How would I have known if I hadn't tried? On the decorating front, let's talk about my laundry room. It took me 5 years to do that project because I was afraid. I finally just went for it and I LOVE it. Couldn't be happier. But don't I feel silly for not having done it years earlier?
Now I'm moving on to the girls' bathroom, another room I've been afraid to tackle. The apron above is my inspiration. And guess what! I'm even hoping to attempt tiling it myself. Why? Well, why not?
So tell me friends, what is fear keeping you from doing right now? Go forth and be fearless.
Your potting bench is beautiful no matter what place it takes. I'm sorry to hear about your friend at church.
ReplyDeleteI was fearful when I started my blog. I worried if it would look okay, if I sounded stupid, if anyone would even read it...but it's been fun. I'm trying to take the pressure off myself and just enjoy it for what it is. It's led me to some wonderful friends that have similar interests and make me laugh. Like you said, no regrets, even in failure we gain something.
~Michelle
Great post! I definitely know a thing or two about fear! But I found once you find the courage to voice your fears it's not so scary anymore. Keeping it inside only builds the fear.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I love that potting bench. I really do. And I also love the way God can use a little 'ol potting bench to make us understand a difficult truth. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you're cooking up in that bathroom. The apron is such a great point of inspiration!
Here's where I'm confronting my fear right now: In my garden! I have no clue what I'm doing and half of what I lovingly planted last year refused to return, but I'll keep trying. It may look like a ridiculous mess when I'm done, but who gives a rip? I figure that by the time I'm 50 I may actually know how to grow some flowers. That gives me roughly 17 years, which sounds about right.
You absolutely did not fail! Your potting bench is a thing of beauty and I'd give my left... something (I enjoy using all my left-side appendages so we'll have to come up with something else!) for a potting bench like that. :) Take heart. You made your home a more beautiful place and no one can take that away from you.
ReplyDeleteIsn't God so good at forcing us to keep things in perspective?
I think your potting bench is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWe're about to paint (or take down) our hideous paneling in our living room, and then put down laminate flooring. I have a fear of choosing the wrong color paint or flooring. But I figure anything will be an improvement on our outdated paneling.
I had "start a blog" on a dream board for about a year before I finally jumped in and did it. I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to say and that no one would ever read it. It's been 5 months now and I post almost everyday. Amazing how if you just do it somehow it falls into place. Good for you "doing it afraid" with that BHG challenge. You didn't lose you won big!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that potting bench. You did such an amazing job with it...it is in NO way a failure. Besides, you should be so proud of yourself for putting yourself out there like that. That's scary stuff, and you did it beautifully! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes fear stops us dead in the tracks of so much beauty in life! Your bench is beautiful. And yes, our little projects don't really mean much in the grand scheme of life, do they?
ReplyDeleteBlessings through the fear!!!
Melissa
Jen have no fear! You didn't lose. It seems to me like it would be an honor to even be asked to participate. Your potting bench turned out great and now all thats left to do is enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI think once I turned 50, fear kind of took a backseat in my life. Now I'm 52. Honey, these are the good years. When your children are raised and happy. When the house is quiet and the laundry stays mostly done. There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
http://cozylittlehouse.blogspot.com
http://viewfromthepines.com
Jen, I LOVE your potting bench. It is BEAUTIFUL! That said, you really inspired me to jump into something I have never done...When you went to Silver Bella, I was contemplating a similar event...Donna Downey's INSPIRED weekend. After I read your post and saw the results from your trip I figured...why not. I know NO-ONE that is attending and although I am creative, have never committed to a full weekend like this before. Thanks for sharing and for writing this post...YOU are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts today were so inspirational! Thank you for sharing them, and for blogging, and for making your beautiful potting bench. I like your style, girl. You go.
ReplyDeleteKate
Thanks for putting yourself out there. It's a good reminder to me as a fellow designer/decorator. Your attitude is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI am with you sister! I was stressing today about the finances at the shop, such a balanced tightrope I walk, do I have enough inventory, can I get people to pay me what they owe me so that I can pay what I owe, etc. etc. etc...........and it seems everywhere you turn you have to be so careful and I felt sooooo overwhelmed for a moment then I found out one of our young teachers lost her baby today, and I was like...........I am such a loser!!!
ReplyDeleteI think your potting bench was fabulous!! and I am certain you will win personally in some way because of it!!!
Oh I am the same way, trying to overcome silly fears I have. Well one fear I recently got over was starting my blog! I mulled around for 3 months before I did it. Oh and making all new friends at school. I am always so afraid to go and try to make new friends :\ I have never regretted overcoming any of my fears though :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Allison
like michelle said, it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat's really all that matters.
you put creative energy in it.
xo
That apron is gorgeous. I love your potting bench and you're definitely a winner in my eyes! You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteI really think the potting bench is my favorite of all the projects. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteFear is universal, although some of us have an extra helping. Good post and keep being "you"...it works~
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
I am so proud of you for putting yourself out there, regardless of outcome. Your potting bench is beautiful and you did a fab job! I have so many pathetic fears: Mainly concerning how people view me. I am learning (so so slowly)that it really doesn't matter much as long as I feel ok with what I am doing. Great post.
ReplyDeletewell my sweet friend, do you have free longdistance?
ReplyDeleteanyway, you inspire me
& i love that potting bench
you just keep on keeping on
xo
Jen- you did not fail!!! I love your potting bench, I want to build one of my own because of you and you know what? I'd bet a ton of money I'm not the only one who feels that way. Just think, out of all the bloggers on the internet you ended up in the top 5- that is amazing, go you!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Day!
~Rachel
You did not fail!!! The contest is like comparing fruit...do you like apples or bananas? Your work bench is great. Thank you for inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteHey Jen, I nominated you for an award. Check it out on my blog.
ReplyDeletePS. Awesome job on your potting bench entry!
XO
SIMPLYHEDDYSHEA
What a great post! I too, have been stuck in fear over so many projects. I am now in the middle of a kitchen "redo" that I have been putting off for years because I didn't know what to do. I am already loving the changes and kicking myself (in a kind way) that I didn't do it sooner!
ReplyDeleteAs I've gotten older, I've become much less fearful. And less worried about what others would think of me. When I turned 49, I did something I'd wanted to do for quite a number of years -- I got my nose pierced --- for no other reason than I wanted to and it made me feel pretty. That little thing has helped me overcome even more self-fear (for lack of a better word). Then a year or so ago, my good friend and ex-husband died of cancer at age 57; over his 3 yr battle, he never once complained. And that has taught me to never sweat the small stuff -- and it's almost all small stuff!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bench! You are extremely talented, even if you don't win this contest.
Jen, I'm sure you are thrilled that you even got chosen to be on that BHG challenge. I know I would have been, win or lose! Just to get the money to spend & do what you want would be great. So, consider yourself a winner for that, you got a great potting bench out of the deal. And, some of those other blogs are really BIG too, so that helped them a lot. All the projects were great!
ReplyDeleteI try not to live in fear either, although I've had my share over the years. It's a lot more fun to just go for it, fearlessly, I've found too.
Thanks for the pep talk about fear. I have several rooms that I must dive in and try instead of being fearful!! I really like your potting bench. Sad to hear about your church friend and hope he will do very well with rx.
ReplyDeleteJen I just love your corner of the world!!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion your idea for the BHG Challenge was by far the most original. When I saw all the designs, it was your potting bench that made me think - brilliant, now that is an idea I will store away and use one day. It is beautiful and I think you should be very proud of your creativity. I hope to copy you some day - so there - how's that for flattery.
ReplyDeletecheers,
Blueberry
I love that you tried and didn't let your fear hold you back. For the record...if the girl's bedroom is anything like the laundry room it will be FABULOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm very afraid of pulling up my carpet in my living room. I so desperately want to put hardwood flooring down and I'm not so afraid of the work involved but of how my husband is going to react!
ReplyDeletehi jen,
ReplyDeleteyou're already a winner just for being selected! one of 5 in the country -- amazing!!!
enjoy your potting bench and your can-do-anything attitude.
now i have to get over my fear of my sewing machine ...
xo
Fear is a big one to conquer..I have found that with God's help, I am learning how to cope with fear. Satan loves to use it to get us in a panic but God's peace overrides it everytime.
ReplyDeleteLeAnn:)
And to even be picked for the BHG project makes you a winner!!
Oh Wow! Do I know FEAR! I knew I wanted to be an interior designer since I was 11. I let my fear keep me from doing what I love most. FINALLY, at age 45(!) I am in school persuing my design degree. And it feels great! Like you and the potting bench (which I loved, btw), it's not about winning or losing anymore. It's just about getting OUT THERE and doing what I love. That's one of my favorite things about your blog- you have a great "Just Do It" attitude. It's like good medicine!
ReplyDeleteJen, I voted for your potting bench (and I NEVER do online voting)! I think it's fabulous! I can't wait to recreate it in my own yard. Thanks for inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteJen, you are NOT a loser! Just to be one of the five is an amazing win! I found out about the contest today and went to check it out. Yours was by far my favorite (and I voted accordingly :) ).
ReplyDeleteIn fact right after viewing the article I hunted down your blog. What a wonderful blog it is! I'll be a regular visitor from now on for sure.
But back to the potting bench. I cannot wait for my DH to get home so that I can show him your bench. My plan is for us to make one this very weekend.
I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and a couple of other pain inducing conditions. I have had to give up gardening. I've wanted to start doing more container gardening but I don't like any of the benches I've seen. Yours has everything I wanted in a potting bench and then some!
So thank you, my new cyberfriend, for accepting the BH&G challenge. I think you've just given me back something I thought I'd lost forever!