Renovation Column: Over-analysis has lead to DIY paralysis

The walls are down, the steels are in and we’re at that exciting part of the renovation where the time has come to pick the finishes that will eventually make our house feel like a home.

During the demolition phase I dreamt of this moment and pictured the excitement of picking paint colours, choosing kitchen cupboards and seeing my Pinterest boards come to life.

I'd already jumped the gun and been shopping for home decor and scented candles since we embarked on this renovation so now I was actually being asked to make decisions and purchases ahead of the impending first fix I'd flourish.

I was the self-appointed stylist/interior designer of the project so it was my time to shine but instead I found myself frozen. They say over-analysis leads to paralysis and here I am – second-guessing and unable to make a decision and move forward.

I’ve always been indecisive, I struggle to make a decision on what to eat in a restaurant and have been known to chase the waiter to the kitchen to change my order at the last minute. But this was different; the stakes were so much higher. After living through the renovation chaos the thought of emerging with a finished home we weren't entirely happy with did not bear thinking about.

I have hourly intrusive thoughts – “Are Crittall doors just a trend and something I would eventually curse for restricting my garden view? “Which flooring would be more durable for a fictional dog that may or may not join the family in a few years time? And how many wine fridges do I actually need.…?”

I go to bed dreaming about the decisions. It’s like that recurring nightmare where the killer is chasing you but you remain rooted to the floor, unable to run away - my version includes emails marked “urgent” from bifold door salesmen and missed calls from kitchen companies but the fear is still palpable.

I was a lottery winner who had spent years spending my virtual money only to be presented with a giant cheque and unable to step foot inside a shop. It was unlike me and unnerving.

I tried to reason with myself and think rationally: so what if we picked the wrong paint colour? We could always redecorate. But some decisions such as layout, plug socket location and underfloor heating would be irreversible and needed to be right the first time.

Fear or making a mistake coupled with cost of making a mistake sprinkled with the sheer number of decisions to be made makes for a DIY SOS boiling point of epic proportions.

The burying my head in the sand phase is not working out well so this week I aim to divide and conquer, design myself achievable to do lists and lean on the experts...what could possibly go wrong?

Keep up to date with all the progress by following @ohgodweboughtavicarage on Instagram.