I rarely lack for inspiration. It’s a mixed blessing.
My mind constantly swirls with the possibility of things. It’s one of the reasons that I’m always dragging home thrift store treasures. I can see the potential in a piece of junk. My poor man suffers this with dignity. All I can say is “Hallelujah for basements”.
My problem always lies in the motivation. Usually, the brain is willing but the body says, “Nah. Let’s eat Crunch N Munch and watch Big Brother.” And so the list of undone projects grows. Things like:
This old window that I plan to use a frame above my laundry room door.
This old wooden door that I snagged out of someone’s trash and plan to turn into a desk for my workspace. Soon. Someday soon.
Side story on the door: I was driving in the minivan with the kids in back. It was POURING down rain and I was wearing a skirt and heels. I saw that door sitting out for the trash and KNEW I had to have it. Slammed on the brakes, did a 180 and pulled off the road. Jumped out into the mud, flung open the back of the van…all the while the kids are screaming “WHAT ARE YOU DOING???” I grabbed that door and let me tell you it was HEAVY! Slid that sucker into the back of the van and screeched out of there in 30 seconds flat.
Trash pickin’ is exciting business, I tell ya.
This old bench that I snagged for $5 (!!!!!) at a yardsale LAST SUMMER. I plan to recover it and use it in my entryway.
And this round coffee table from Goodwill that I want to paint and use as a game table in the playroom.
So there you have it. Motivation vs. Inspiration. Which do you have more of?
Tell me about your unfinished project.
{ 59 comments }
I am completely on board with this. I’m exactly the same way. I buy these things KNOWING that I can making them functional or beautiful, or whatever and they just sit for so long because of lack of motivation. Most of the time I know what I want to do, it’s just about doing it. My husband get’s a little frustrated by this sometimes. But I try to tell him that it will just always be like this – it’s inevitable. lol
Sarah Sarniak´s last blog ..DIY Patio Lattice Fence
I feel the exact same way!
Beth´s last blog ..Did you know
Oh boy do I have inspiration! Loads and loads of it. Now motivation on the other hand, I gots none. If you find any, please send some my way.
Mom in High Heels´s last blog ..RTT- So Random its Wednesday! And Mr HH gets a new name! Madness!
I hear ya! When I feel even the slightest stirrings of motivation, I know I have to jump on it and take advantage of the moment before it’s gone because it tends to be fleeting. Ha.
I find the best motivation is having company come over. Suddenly I get all sorts of projects ticked off my to-do list!
Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog ..Mickey Mouse’s Country House at Disney World
I have sooooo many projects that I’m inspired to do – but alas, there they sit on the porch…….waiting for my mojo to kick in..
There’s the porch makeover project, there’s the 2 antique trunks waiting to be converted into a coffee table & a flower box, there’s grandma’s wooden ironing board, there’s grandpa’s window table waiting for a paint job…….then there’s my scrapbook room with…………………………..
Patti G´s last blog ..Summertime& The Living Is Easy
Love your story about picking up that door! I saw a LOVELY coffee table with carvings and Queen Anne legs sitting beside the road. There were no houses in sight, no trash, nothing. After I hollered, my husband turned around and went back but refused to help me. I picked that thing up and put it in the back seat of our sedan and barely got the door closed. My son-in-law refinished it and now it is perfect in the living room of our new house in CT!
That upholstered bench has a nice curve on the arms. I’m like you and see possibilities in everything! Wish I were married to a handy man who could do the work to bring my visions to life. How many times have I heard that question, “What are you going to do with THAT?” And I always have an answer.
Happy Collecting!
Nancy
HAHA! Litterally laughed out loud about the door rescue in the rain! I have plenty I need motivation in but my big fear is I’m afraid I’ll do something wrong & I think that’s what’s really holding me back. I have several smaller projects that I’ve wanted work on like a beautiful wood tray I need to paint & some candlestick holders & things like that but I’m afraid I’ll buy the wrong spray paint or it’ll take 107 coats of paint to cover & so on. :-/ Hopefullyl I’ll get the gumption to get to work soon!
I love that bench! Good shopping!
I just picked up an ugly box at goodwill. I’m not sure if it was for jewelry or what. It is goldish brown and has wax spills on it, but after a good coat of paint to appropriately accent it’s nice carved design, I think it will work great to hide my husband’s keys and wallet and cell phone that always clutter our buffet.
I do the same thing! I am trying REALLY REALLY hard to stop! TRYING….really trying….failing miserably….but still trying!
Love the trash picking story…I have learned…you gotta be quick! Especially in the rain…wearing a skirt…and heels!
Have a good one!
Lou Cinda
PS You’ve got some GREAT stuff in the works….or almost in the works…just sayin’
LOVE the door….
I’m gone now…
Oh Kimba, how I LOVE the image of you snagging that fabulous door in the rain…that is just something I would do. I adore this post b/c I am definitely in the overly-inspired, under-motivated camp, and am so glad to not be the only one. I guess when you truly love your home and adore dressing it up, it’s never “done”, is it? xo
I have so many old doors waiting for inspiration and it will come – always does. And piles of fabric that will be transformed someday. Well the list goes on and on and all I can say is ‘thank goodness for garages’.
I am the same way. My list of projects is: refinish desk in entryway; finish painting hallways so I can re-hang all pictures and wall arrangements; ribbon storage/craft storage; hand kids art work display….
elz´s last blog ..Last Crafty Fairy Party Favors
Oh, good. It’s not just me. I have amassed quite the to-do pile. My husband just shakes his head.
Kacey´s last blog ..I’m a real blogger now!
oh yes, I am right there with you. I have more inspiration than motivation. I love the hunt, and sometimes I cant wait to get another piece before I even start on the last one, two or three.
Haha! This so sounds like me right now. I currently have 3 (yes THREE) headboards to redo, a small china cabinet, and now a dining room table and chairs!!! I had been lacking inspiration to do the headboards and china cabinet because the table was all I could think about, only problem was I didn’t have it until this Monday! I’ve had everything else lying in wait for MONTHS! I just skipped over everything else and got down and started sanding that table the night I got it… I’m determined to have it finished within a month! Wish me luck!
Lauren
ourveryblessednest.blogspot.com
I hear ya, I am now referring to one of my guest bedrooms as a furniture orphanage. Oh, well …. the summer is not the best time for motivation. Maybe once the fall arrives I will get going again.
P.S. I love that round table!
I’m right there with ya Kimba, you should see my “shop”. By the end of the day i’m totally pooped out. For me it’s a glass of sweet tea and reruns of Magnum PI and Emergency on Retro TV!
Blessings,
Lisa
http://www.trinity-house.com
I love to paint furniture too, but that table is simply gorgeous as it is.
Me too sister, me too . . .
Oh Kimba, I feel the exact same way. Especially this week. I have tons of ideas, but they are all big projects so it’s hard for me to get motivated to start any of them. My garage is filled with stuff too, just waiting to get a makeover. It’s hard for me to do my big projects now, especially with a new toddler, so I have to do most things at night. It’s hard to paint at night! Oh, and the big projects require some money…I need that too like I need some motivation.
Maybe the money would motivate me if I had it? 
Inspiration and no motivation….. Since my craft space is a wreak right now. But that’s not the only reason, I too love my TV shows…
Melissa´s last blog ..The Finished Results of the Ugly Yellow House
I’m so glad I’m not the only one!!!!
However, I’m ACTUALLY getting a few projects done (quite possibly because Hubby can’t park his car in the garage until I get stuff done….LOL!). Just wish I was motivated to do some scrapbooking or learn how to sew. I just need to get my stuff out….let it sit out in view and annoy everyone for weeks on end…and then maybe do something just in time for company to come and then have to put it all away!
Astrid´s last blog ..Mt Rushmoreor Bust!
Ok, I am totally glad to see one of the “big bloggers” with this issue! I have stuff like this everywhere. Definitely more inspiration than motivation.
Wendy´s last blog ..Colonial Mills-CSN Stores Review
Kimba, I was laughing so much that my son had to know what I was reading….I also do those sorts of things…at least your kids aren’t old enough to have you committed yet!
I am sitting here staring at a $3 chair that is in excellent shape except it has to be reupholstered (which I have never done). I got it at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in St. Louis on the way to pick my son up at the airport. I jammed it into the back of my Corolla and he had to sit the two hours home with his chin on his knees!!
I keep it in the house where I can see it so it makes me want to get it done!
Oh Kimba~ You are singing my song!! Lately, I have been moving unfinished projects around the house…makes me feel better!! Every now and then I give in to hubby when he says “lets just throw it in the trash” and he finishes up with ” how long have you had it anyways?”
Thanks for a great reassuring post.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel
Much more inspiration than motivation, for sure! I have so many ideas and things on my Wish List…sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking about projects! All I know is that when I do finish something, it feels good and makes my house feel more like a home. I really need to try to remember that!
hallelujah for basements (and patient husbands) indeed! between freecycle, craigslist (i get emails with everything listed as free in our city) and curbside wonders i have way more inspiration than i have the motivation (or time) to follow up on! i’m working on it though…one piece at a time!!
jacqui´s last blog ..adventures
I feel your pain.
We have had a pedestal table lurking in our basement, in two pieces, for three years now. The Mister has big plans for it.
I have been working on a corner hutch cabinet thing for our dining room for 5 months now. All it needs is handles on the drawers (which I have in my possession) and a fourth knob (which the house seems to have eaten. or maybe it was the dog).
It took me 6 months to put together an Expedit shelving unit I purchased back in November.
I could go on and on and on…
I hear that! My husband and I constantly bicker about all the “crap” I have collected that is taking up space in “his” garage!
“It’s not crap, honey! Just wait, you’ll see.”
He’s still waiting…
LOVE your story about the door! Made me laugh out loud
Erin
Erin @ Meadow Lake Cottage´s last blog ..Kitchen Canisters
I’m totally inspired, totally NOT motivated. I will find something on clearance somewhere for an unbelievable amount (like marked down from $30 to $3) and have to grab it, knowing I can do SOMETHING with it. Yeah…my craft area is full of SOMETHINGS. : )
I have a stool that was my Mimmie’s that was covered in gross, ugly, nasty contact paper. I started working on it when I started my blog. In 2008. Mm-hmm…it’s still out in Sound Man’s spider infested shop. Poor thing. I’ll eventually get to it, but I don’t NEED a black-and-white-toile-covered stool at present. So out there it sits.
Oh, well. Isn’t it the thought that counts? : )
Heathahlee´s last blog ..Butterfly Genes Wants to Go to the Dogs!
I’m more inspired than I am motivated right now. It’s just too darn hot outside to work on my sanding and painting projects.
Love your window and door!
Your story about the door reminds me of…well, me. My guys don’t even ask anymore when I stop at someone’s trash heap.
I feel the same way. I have way too much inspiration, not enough motivation.
I have just started my obsession with “trash picking”, flea marketing and thrift storing…. No longer doing Interior Design as profession, I recently picked up the bug to thrift and create beautiful things for my home… A family illness is slowing that down, but I plan to squeeze in time for the obsession. So I now have 3 unfinished projects that will hopefully be complete by summers end. Thanks for your inspirational posts….
Kim´s last blog ..I can do all things
I really DO get motivated quite often…but now, INSPIRATION…I can do that all day long!
Mrs.B@salaknlemonlade.blogspot.com´s last blog ..Am I a Good Parent
I am totally with you on this. Now when motivation and inspiration arealigned ….watch out sista, because anything is possible! : }
Debra from Bungalow´s last blog ..Your refrigerator’s water supply needs you
WAY more inspiration!! At least you have a plan for your stuff…that’s a starting point.
Inspiration, definitely! Motivation, not so much. I completely relate to your dilemma. I am the same way. There are so many “meaning to get around to” projects that I don’t know where to start…or, either I don’t want to take the time to do it! I mean, I’ve sat on my computer all evening when I could’ve been working on these projects. I guess it’s all about priorities. Plus, we see what everyone else out in blogland is doing, and we know that we can do that stuff, too…but, we never get around to it. We need an intervention.
Sandra´s last blog ..Six Flags or Bust!
I love all of your things that are waiting to be fixed up. Can’t wait to see what you do.
I completely know how you feel. I keep saying I have big plans to update my 20 year old house but after a long day I have absolutely no ambition to actually get it done. Someday….
http://www.atmosphereid.wordpress.com
I suffer from both depending on the project, but I veer heavily toward lacking motivation. I recently hung a bunch of frames sans pictures and just need to put pics in them. I thought that I would do it once they were up, but alas no. There is a random attractive family in them that I make up stories about. I also want to finish organizing my craft space in a more user friendly manner. Have the idea and an amazing library card catalog to help me but sometimes I just manage to find something else to do.
Oh and I have a door like yours and would love to make it into a desk too….so if I can sway you to do that first, you would not only be helping yourself, you would be helping me too!!! Win-win! : )
Lol. Your kids sound like my kids. My daughter ducks hoping no one sees her.
Well I have plenty of inspiration, and I don’t like to think of it as lack of motivation but rather that I am “easily distracted.” You know, when it comes down to a choice between taking the kids to the lake or getting this mess in my workshop cleaned up so I can start on a project… well what would you do?
I love trash picking stories. When we lived in town I couldn’t pass on a piece of furniture or building materials, and worst of all I drove a full size cargo van so almost nothing was off limits. One time I was on the hunt for an old sewing machine table to make into a potting bench. I just happened to see one and it was a total wreck but I decided to grab it and work some magic on it anyway. When I went to lift it is was extremely heavy but I wrestled it into my van and asked my son to unload it when I got home. We lifted the lid and inside was the most beautiful old Singer with all the gold scrollwork etc. My son plugged it in and it worked! So where is it now? Sitting in the kids room with a tablecloth over and they have their aquarium on it. Just until I get around to doing something with it!
doni´s last blog ..Recycled Fence Picket Beach Signs
My inspiration is tempered by a complete lack of space, so I can’t hold onto things. I gotta do ‘em right away, or they’ll get thrown away!
Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..How to take a picture of yourself for your blog
Oh Kimba-this made me laugh! We’re getting ready to move next week-and on my million item to-do list is to finish putting the knobs on this darn dresser that has been sitting in my garage for 3 months. I can’t get the finishing coat of varnish on-but boy, no way I’m moving it without knobs! In our moving process, I also gave away several “to do” projects that I”d never gotten to!
That cracked me up.. your door story! I am making a goodwill run with all of the pieces I’m holding on to this week. My apartment has become too cluttered and it makes for a grumpy husband!
Erin @ Little Apartment On The Prairie´s last blog ..The Top Ten Reasons Why I Painted My Apartment
Too funny! Remember the old adage: Your eyes are bigger than your stomach? Well, my eyes are bigger than my house! ( I have a BIG old Victorian with out buildings!)
Regarding your door story; I did something similar once. I was coming home from my office, dress and heels, pouring rain and spied an antique piece of furniture in someone’s trash. I stopped, struggled to lift it and get it in the car. I got 1/3 of it in. The storm is getting worse. I am looking like a wet t-shirt contestant. Homeowners are watching me through their window sipping coffee and laughing. After what seemed like an eternity I was forced to give up and drive away wet and defeated. Glad you got your door!
I am hosting a Never Ending Cyber Highway Yard Sale (Link Party) if you are interested in getting rid of any potential.
Deborah
I have tried to curb my “inspiration” a little since, anything that doesn’t get finished tends to sit around and give the appearance of clutter
It’s a sad thing but…….maybe when we retire I can go back to unbridled inspiration!
Tamara´s last blog ..My Baby Is Growing Up!
I definitely have more inspiration. The motivation is usually there the first couple of days until I hit a snag that has something to do with a) needing busy hubby’s help even though I try not to, b) unfortunate lack of funds, or c) a dirty diaper leads to dirty dishes, then laundry, then dinner… You know how it is.
I have a sweet little antique chair that I found in pieces on the side of the road LAST YEAR. All it needs is glue, a few nails and upholstery. You’d think it’d be done by now if it was that easy. Good luck in all you endeavors… or lack of them.
Oh, my goodness! I can’t stop laughing. I am surrounded by inspiration, ideas, and intentions! I have a list of projects a mile long. I can always use a bit more motivation, time, and expertise though!
You have some great finds to work with. Can’t wait to see how they turn out! 
Amy
ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie´s last blog ..DIY Club August 2010 Project- 3 Projects in One!
That table is going to be perfect for a game table!
Hi Kimba! Just found your cheeky site via Centsational Girl. One big, fat question…. why can’t you eat Crunch N’ Munch (and everything else in the cupboards, for that matter) while working wonders on all of the above? The pros get a Craft Services table, right?!
Hello Kimba,
I thought you were talking about me for a minute there! I am exactly the same way. I buy things knowing I can do something with it and then it just sits in the storage room for a long time because of lack of motivation (and sometimes just lack of time). Most of the time I know what I want to do with an item when I get it, other times I will get something and the inspiration will come along later. Right now, I have a project list a mile long. After reading your post and many of the comments, I do not feel so bad now! After last weekend’s haul, my storage room is full so I cannot get anything else. I made a vow that no matter what, I would not bring anything else home until the pending projects have been completed.
~ Tracy
Tracy´s last blog ..A Road Trip and Thrifty Finds
I have a couple of things to get done but I just can’t get motivated. I guess it is the summer and not having a schedule. You really have some great pieces to do!
Melanie´s last blog ..Charlie Joseph’s
Though I call it junkin’, trash picking is good business. If I had time for a second job that would be it.
My weakness is old windows. Last count…I have 23. I’m going to mosaic every one. Really.
I found a door very similar to this ten years ago and it sat in my garage waiting for me to turn it into a headboard (which was my intention). In the mean time I had the opportunity to buy an old cottage and during the renovations, that old door came to it’s perfect resting place in my kitchen.
Eileen´s last blog ..The Pleasures of the Sea
we have so many projects but painting is top on our list right now
Oh my I have too many projects-in-waiting to mention…time is what I am lacking right now…glad I am not the only one.
Girl this is the story of my life! I just wrote about it the other day.
Think of this this way, you’ll always have something to do! I’m excited to see your door makeover
Jessica´s last blog ..Ice Chest Finished
I am so glad you posted this! I have a lot of the inspiration but have a hard time following through with things. I recently had a baby and decided to stay home with him and thought I’d definitely complete projects now…but that is not the case!
I have decided to use my blog to keep my accountable with cooking meals, cleaning, and completing projects! I hope this works!
PS. I think you should have a linky party once a month or so where people can post pictures of a long-awaited project that they have finished!! I’m all about the linky parties! =-)