How to keep from getting overwhelmed by old house to dos?

[Daniel Meyer]

It's just like eating an elephant.

"How do you eat an elephant?" you might say.
"Well, one bite at a time!"

I actually love having a house with "issues". My friends faces are priceless when I point at a light switch and say, "That switch...don't touch it."
"But why..." they start to ask.
"Just...don't. Don't touch it. Ever."

[tudorrevival]

Great advice, everybody. Thank you! I love the floor and light switch stories. I may have adopt that dangerous light switch bit to make tours of the house more memorable, ha.

We've addressed all of the critical issues, luckily. That was what Summer '11 was all about.

[melissakd]

People with newly built houses probably have issues too; my parents had a list of twenty-five things that were wrong with their house when they took delivery a couple of years ago. And this was after my uncle, with 50 years of construction experience, had cheerfully made a nuisance of himself visiting the site and pointing out things they were doing wrong.

You might bond over the mid-range cosmetic things too, since a brand new house doesn't come with the paint and wallpaper you want, etc.

You have a lovely house, and I look forward to hearing all about it!

MelissaKD

[Lauren674]

These old houses can be overwhelming! Besides all the repairs, restoration, and maintenance, there's cleaning, shopping, laundry, bills to pay, and gardens to tend to. Its amazing we hold jobs and raise children and have pets at the same time.

We moved into a neglected and absolutely full house. Its been ten years and we've constantly had projects and 'phases' in progress, big and small in every single room. I used to take pictures of the work... now we just peck away at things for months. The bathroom update took years. Anyone who comes to visit just has to make themselves at home and become part of the family because its always going to be a work in progress.

[1880 Stick Victorian]

with an old house you will always have a "to do" list, if nothing else its maintenance. But i think that most everyone here will attest to the fact that we wouldn't own an old house if we didn't enjoy it. Overall try to enjoy the things that you do to bring her back. There is a sense of accomplishment when even a small task is accomplished. We do keep a photo journal of before during and after and even after four years its been amazing to go back and look through the photos just to see what we have accomplished. so hang in there and don't get blown away by the big picture...it will all come together

[Lauren674]

I think making a list of all that has been done and a current list of things to do is a great idea.

Sometimes it occurs to me that we'll never get this house 'done'. We need to win the lottery. But since we love the house and don't want to leave it, its an investment in ours and the house's future. Ultimately it will be here long after we will, and I hope possibly it will still be housing our family. In a way, it will be our legacy, this house and our children.

[Kansas. 1911.]

I try to adopt an overarching philosophy. Mine is, "Everybody needs a hobby. I am able to live in mine."

Also, keep repeating, "Our first priority is to our family, so things take a bit longer." Then stay positive because, in front of you, the company will be positive. Their attitude will probably be, "Wow, you're a bigger person than I am because I don't have this in me." They will realize that each family does what is best for themselves.

Oh, and nobody has great yards this time of year. Put some annuals in a pot and call it good for now.

[superbeetle]

I vote for NOT making a list. The thing that keeps me from getting too overwhelmed is that I don't look at the big picture very often. My to do for this weekend is to put a third coat of drywall on a couple repair seams. It will probably take 20 minutes. I might do more, if I feel like it. I don't have a timeline for getting the room done, because then I get stressed about not meeting goals and don't get anything done. I just keep chipping away at little bits, and suddenly, it is finished.

[tudorrevival]

Thanks, everyone! I think I just needed to discuss it with people who understand. I took a mix of the advice given here and feel much more positive. I created a list, figured out priorities with my husband for spring and summer, worked on a few small projects and planted some pansies. And cut myself and the house some slack.

Kansas1911, I really like the thought of being lucky to be able to live in your hobby.

[Vaso7]

We bought our house in a terrible, abandoned state and we worked day and night for about 1year and a half.
We are now done.
Done to what we intended to do and the amount of money we wanted to spend. They are always things to improve on but nothing is broken or too ugly.
Most of the people we know thought that we will keep going forever and always make improvements etc. They constantly ask us how is the house going and what is the next project. I never expected that.
It makes me wondered, does my house still looks undone?????