I have been suffering from low motivation, and an inability to accomplish much of anything that feels really satisfying lately. I think that winter is to blame. Obviously I do a lot, but sometimes I really need to tackle a fun project to completion in order to feel like I am not just spinning my wheels. That’s why we craft, right? Because so much of of mama’s life involves doing work that will be quickly undone in a seemingly endless cycle. That work is good and important, but sometimes I need something more. When I make or re-make something, it usually stays that way for a little bit longer than the floors stay clean after a good mopping.
I decided to fix up this little crappy bookshelf that I must have picked up off a curb or something years ago. I’d add a curtain to hide the mess of homeschool books, and paint it a fun color. As I contemplated my options, I quickly descended into Crazytown.
“No, wait. I better just paint it white. That would be safest.”
“Life’s too short to play it safe and neutral all the time.”
“Aaaah–but too much color can be so distracting! White would be soothing. But…white would show dirty fingerprints! Yellow, golden sunny yellow. That would be just the thing to perk up my February. Quick, go buy the paint before you change your mind, Ginny.”
I did just that. I drove downtown, parked nearby, and walked in the freezing coldness to the cute shop run by fun painting ladies. Seth was with me, the knees of his pants freshly muddied from metal detecting. I did suggest that he change his pants before we left. “They’re all dirty, ” he replied. I’m getting used to being in public with a dirty teenager, and it doesn’t embarrass me anymore, though I do continue to make gentle suggestions. At any rate, the key to getting in and out of the store as quickly as possible, before I could change my mind about the color,was definitely having Seth along. He has no patience for shopping, unless we’re in an antique mall. I bought my yellow paint, and then popped downstairs to see what the ladies were painting down there. There happened to be a piece of furniture painted in the shade of purple that was my second choice. I carefully studied it, and decided that I had made the right choice with my yellow. I wasn’t even tempted to change my mind.
Later that night, I began to prepare my little shelf for painting and as I did so, I panicked.
“I should have bought the purple!! Yellow is so harsh. The lines on the road are the same shade of yellow! So are school buses! What was I thinking? That soft gray-purple would be so soothing. I’ll just wait. I’ll take this paint back tomorrow and maybe they’ll let me swap it.”
And on, and on and on.
It’s not easy being so nutty. And this is exactly why I haven’t been accomplishing anything. Well, my crazy, plus all my kids.
Sometimes you just have to cut it out and do something.
“It’s a little shelf, Ginny. This isn’t exactly a huge decision.”
I decided to put a stop to all the nonsense, and I painted the silly-little, not-worth-obsessing-over shelf, yellow.
It’s pretty! I love it! Yellow is so happy! I finished a project!
p.s. The paint is Annie Sloan’s Arles.
p.p.s. Here is another photo. The room is dark, so it’s hard to photograph things. The color is most accurate in the photo above. It’s an orange-y yellow.
Rebecca says
When I read your post last night, I was dumbfounded. That first paragraph was my very thoughts put into your words. Yesterday morning I declared a ‘creative day’ in which no child need open a school book as long as they were busy creating something. I wrote about it here and I had to include the excerpt from your blog…because that first paragraph.
Yes. Exactly.
I hope you don’t mind~ http://www.zeahrenaissance.blogspot.com/2015/02/snow-day.html
Love and bits of crafty~
Rebecca
Diana says
Love, love, love the bookshelf. Reminds me of my first kitchen in a flat. I made yellow gingham curtains to hide the pots and pans on the shelves. Make do and mend. They create such fond memories over the years.
Christy says
Love it!
Richard says
As a guy, I like natural wood with a nice clear glossy or satin polyurethane varnish. But, that said, there are times where some wooden things are just in need of a good paint-job. I do believe you nailed it with that color. It is definitely not the garish shade of yellow that the roads or school buses are painted in. Pat youself on the back for a good project well done and completed in short order!
Ngofamilyfarm says
I am precisely that kind of crazy, too 😉 Love the yellow!
-Jaime
Stacey Davis says
I like your shelf! Especially paired with the grey curtain. I think yellow & grey are a great combination in general. And remember, if you ever grow tired of it, you can always paint it a different color! : ) I am going to paint a bookshelf soon. It’s almost as fancy as yours in the top photo. It sat in my parents’ garage until the late ’90’s, and acquired a lot of “character.” I am going with a very unadventurous grey, though, I think. I know what you mean – just fixing up one little thing in the house can make one feel so good.
Lynn says
Love it! Nothing like a ‘new’ bookshelf and a hidden shelf. Kids do love when moms do this kind of thing – kind of like magic! And then they think about doing creative things like this too now and when they’re moms and dads. Have you seen the kid’s ‘play kitchen’ that’s made out of old TV wall units? find one someone is throwing out or in a resale shop and then have fun outfitting it… some cupboards make a little ‘built in fridge’, low flat surfaces? a stove top (painted on)… large space behind where the TV would have lived? cut out for window and hang a curtain…. I think I’ve seen other’s versions of this on the internet – I thought it was a clever ‘repurposing’.
hugs
Lynn
Nancy M says
I like the yellow and how it turned out! Great winter project just the color to remind one of spring!
Sam Lehmann says
It reminds me of the first day if spring with the sun poking out! The buds emerging.. Kids shed their heavy gear and run outside.
Also, you are too lovely to be nutty in anything but the most lovely and human way! And my English grandmother says two sage things:
1. The curse of being smart us overthinking everything
2. There are far worse crosses to bare 🙂 … Is that the correct homonym ? See I’m overthinking!
I’m proud of your sunny accomplishment!
heathermama says
that looks amazing! i love a great hit of color. very very awesome!
Andrea says
I’ve wanted to paint something yellow forever!!! a yellow kitchen, would be beautiful. Yellow is one of my favorite colors. I don’t know if it is because of the picture, but the shelves doesn’t look as bright as the yellow int he road, if that is a comfort…. but it looks pretty.
JeanetteG says
Suffering from the same winter low motivation. Just want to read and sip tea all day long! Thank you for the uplifting posts…love the yellow 🙂
Tonya says
Just this afternoon I looked at a sorry looking plain wooden chair in our living room and painted it a soft cream – but oh if I had been more bold like you! Next time.
Mandi says
It’s lovely and I adore the fabric you used for the little curtain as well!
Terra says
You made the right decision, I think yellow is the most cheerful color. The shelves turned out cute. Soon I will post about a bouquet of yellow daffodils I bought, now that is also a cheerful sight.
Cristina says
Your bookcase is lovely! I think I popped into that same crazy paint store this weekend while my sister-in-laws and I were poking around the antique malls in downtown Fredericksburg. We even got a quick tutorial on chalk painting and varnishing–I’m determined to paint a sad little freebie side table I have a pretty blue once spring hits. I always want to paint fun colored furniture and I always chicken out and just paint it white instead. I’ve got this one earmarked for the screened-in porch though so maybe I’ll finally be bold…well bold-ish anyway. I’m not sure if you can call painting something grayish-blue bold exactly. And I’m definitely painting the dirty yellow wicker we inherited with the rental house out there white so that might actually cancel out what little boldness I muster up. Oh well 🙂
Charlotte S says
Oh you are so funny Ginny, you make me giggle. And that is a lovely colour!
Carlin says
Ha, I do the same thing – I’m trying to decide on paint color for some nightstands right now. Your shelf looks great, yellow was a great choice.
Kate Talley says
“It’s not easy being so nutty” I love this! It’s so true…I wish more people understood it. I’m grateful my husband and kids accept me and are patient with my crazy quirks…like shopping. I hate it, it stresses me out so I plan to grocer shop early on Monday mornings. I love the yellow shelf! It looks great with the gray curtain. Good job!
Naomi says
When we moved from a cold, dark, grey place to our home, the first thing I did was paint the living room walls yellow. Not bright yellow, but some cheefulness for those blah days. I don’t think it made me any more motivated though…
Love the shelf, especially paired with the grey!
Linda says
I do the same exact thing when I have to make a decision! It’s horrible. Your bookshelf came out very nice. I need to paint every room in my house. Imagine how fast that is going to happen.
Gillian says
Love it – you made the right choice.
Betsy says
Love, love, love it! I’ve been trying to convince my husband to let me paint the kitchen cabinets white. And don’t worry Ginny, we’re all a bit nutso sometimes! It’s what makes us women. 🙂
Blessings,
Betsy
Cassidy says
This is so motivating Ginny! And that yellow was a great choice! I have a laundry list of things to paint – besides walls! In addition to the problem of dragging four little ones through winter weather to make one more stop at a paint shop, there’s the problem of sheer overwhelm: ALL of our furniture is wood, and it’s pretty much all the same tone which is arguably better than multiple wood tones in one room, but it’s all crying out to be painted and where do I begin? But you’re absolutely right: I have to cut the dialogue in my head and just do it. And anyway Home Depot is like a field trip to my kids, so here goes.
Mari K says
Beautiful!
Gwendolyn says
Ginny, I’m glad I’m not the only one that goes thru that. I went into a store that carries Annie Sloan paint about 6-8 months ago and ended up with the creamy white color to use on my grandkids coloring table and benches…and then got some stencils and picked up another Annie Sloan paint color for putting a design on the top of the table. I still haven’t finished the top because I felt the lettering or design was so permanent and I still haven’t decided on what to do. In the meantime, the grandkids found the coloring table under a quilt in the guest room and decided to use crayons on the top. It gives me a chuckle just thinking about them sneaking in there and using it without Grandma knowing. Anyway, I love the color you chose and your fabric curtain…couldn’t be any more darling. I’ve been slowly cleaning off an old pew by the back door and you’ve given me the gumption to get it painted!
Nancy says
Show us a picture of the yellow shelves!
Ginny says
I added another photo at the end of the post!
Anny M says
Oh my goodness!!! I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only nut out there! Why I over-analyze every single little decision (especially ones that involve décor or yarn color) is beyond me. I need to work on loosening up. Good for you on the yellow- it looks great!
Marilyn says
We painted our front door a mustard yellow with mixed reviews from our friends and family. I don’t care! It’s the happiest door in the neighborhood! Well done, Ginny!
Jamie says
I love it! I am desperately in need of storage. Time to thrift some shelves. Or built some 🙂
Katherine says
I can, as so many do I’m sure, relate to the indecision. And surely there is a deep good and valid reason for it in mamas’ brains that are so so full already with the important business of living for little ones… Cos it’s a Thing I’d say.
Thanks for the glimpse into your day again! And On Paint…. : I always ask myself if the colour is warm or cool. I don’t mean that I wrote off blue or anything- I mean that a blue can be cold or a soft warm blue. It’s fundamental to me and I think that for me cool is never the winner. Maybe it’s our UK climate and the light here? Does anyone prefer cool tones? I think your purple/grey sounds nice and is prob quite sophisticated and would ‘go’ with things harmoniuosly, but it’s cool?! 😉 warmth wins every time in my book. And I LOVE colour. Anyway. Tmi!!
Have a good week-
Janice Rehmeyer says
Thanks Ginny, I have been thinking about painting a book shelf. Your post just got me going.
beth lehman says
you funny funny girl!! you wrote out how my brain works!! indecisive paralyzation!!! (are you an infp??) and after reading i went back three times to find the brightly painted yellow…. that looks BROWN!!!! i love it!! xo
NATURMAMA says
It’s beautiful! Especially in combination with the grey fabric. Don’t know what it is, but everything is yellow and golden around here too at the moment 🙂 Best regards, Caroline
Laura says
I love it! And I agree on completing things. I’m in the same boat right now. For me it’s kids/homeschooling that is making it difficult, but even more? My almost one year old! I guess truthfully, it’s just everything on my plate :-). And I had to laugh at your indecision because I do the same thing and it drives my husband BATTY!!! If I’m honest, it makes me crazy too 🙂
jan wetherell says
Ginny, when you write about yourself, I feel less alone and more connected to the broad span of humanity because I see a thin sliver of myself in you. Thanks, dear young one.
Marty says
I love the way your mind works and that you talk to yourself – and then share it with all of us. Thank you. Great job on the bookshelf!
Joyful says
BBBAHHHHHAAAAHHHH! I love it! Crazytown. I guess I take up a permanent residence there! 🙂 LOL! Love the shelf, looks fun!
Patricia says
How funny – I also feel that way Jan/Feb and into March – thought it was just me going through post retirement blues. I love all seasons but for the past three years, winter post-Christmas puts me into my chair with books and tea and the tv remote. No motivation, nothing, nada – dishes pile up, floors need vacuuming, clothes need ironing – but than – Mid March I get so motivated that it scares me. I have so many projects that I’m looking forward to – and I know I’ll get them done – but not today.
Kris says
I love this: “That’s why we craft, right? Because so much of of mama’s life involves doing work that will be quickly undone in a seemingly endless cycle.”
So true! For me, it’s often an organizing project – putting together a new framework for homeschool planning, setting up a new system for keeping things together, etc. Last week we got a new bulletin board to organize our homeschool projects and topics, and a board to organize family life stuff as well. And it takes me forever to decide on things like what font to use, what colour of things to buy, etc. I can so relate to that!
Your self is beautiful and refreshing : )
Elizabeth says
I can get anxious and panic too. We just had our house blessed by our priest last night (we do this every year after Theophany/Epiphany, before the start of Great Lent) and I think the yearly blessing is so powerful (Holy Water, the prayers, the Cross) that the devil was stirring things up; that an my own weakness of course. I finally was able to clean our landing (where we have cupboards and keep our shoes) and get two icons up on the wall that I’ve been meaning to. It felt like Spring Cleaning…the house blessing prep, both of us went to Confession too on Sat night and then the house being blessed Sunday night. Whew.
Your little bookshelf looks darling; that yellow is such a deep creamy one, not at all jarring, garish or any such negative thought; and I think the yellow was the right choice; such a lovely colour/shade. And the curtain is nice too!
Lent is coming and I am finally beginning to feel ready for it; but God be with us as the Devil hates Lent but God is with us, Christ’s light and Cross is our Victory and the Mother of God our sure help and protection. I will light a candle for you today dear Ginny and know that you are not alone in the struggle with such inner dialogue.
Monica says
Beautiful pictures. I love how you added the yellow road lines in your post. I made a bookshelf like this last year and used a winter gray with pink floral fabric. I really like the yellow though! I have hardwood floors that would make the yellow fit perfectly. 🙂
Dawn says
I go through the same feeling every January/February. Last year I bought several skeins of yellow yarn (Carrie’s Yellow, Quince and Co) and knitted myself a sweater. Last week I ordered several skeins of green yarn (Parsley, Quince and Co), to knit another sweater. I just need the color in my life to get me through.
Jennifer says
I just laughed to myself as I read your post. I have the same problem which usually means I don’t get any projects done. I like the yellow. Great choice!
CathyC says
It’s so pretty, Ginny!
Jennifer says
I have that same kind of inner dialogue all the time. Tiresome, isn’t it?
The yellow looks lovely! Great decision!
Sue says
It is perfect! Well done.
Laura says
Yellow is wonderful! The color of sunshine. My sister has a yellow kitchen and it’s so cheery. Glad you went ahead with your choice.
Winter can totally drag me down. We all need a bit of yellow, and a lot of sun. Come on spring!!
Christine says
What is the name of the paint color, Ginny? I like it and I have all browns in my Livingroom:p.
Thanks for the inspiration, Spring is coming!!
Ginny says
Oops! I should have included that! It is Annie Sloan chalk paint, and the color is Arles. It would look so good with browns!
Rain says
I love it! What motivation to get my painting on!