My best friend not only gave me a place to stay after my divorce (Wanted: The Ronald McDonald House for the Recently Separated), she also provided me with the best line ever when people needed to know something about my situation but I didn’t want to get into the whole messy tale:
I’m in the middle of a major life renovation.
It was perfect. It implied major change but also had a way of discouraging further questions.
It felt like the life renovation from hell. It was like I purchased a home that passed inspection only to find out years later that the foundation had fatal flaws and dry rot was eating the home from the inside out.
I traded in my well-manicured life for one that required hard hats and knee pads. I had to tear my beautiful life down to the studs and slowly rebuild as I was able.
For a time, I stood in the remains of my life and stared in disbelief at the carnage. I remembered it as it was. I wanted it as it was but it was impossible to recreate what had been destroyed. Eventually, I began to have a vision of what it could become. It didn’t need to be the same. I could rebuild my life better than before.
I kept some things the same in my new life. Other areas no longer served me and I chose to eliminate them altogether or repurpose the space for something else.
It was a slow process. I had to fight the urge to decorate my life before I secured the structure and patched the holes in the roof. I had help on more days than not, my family, friends, coworkers and professionals stopping by to raise a wall or sand a rough edge.
Slowly, my new life began to take shape. The new only vaguely resembling the old.
I may not have anticipated this major life renovation, but I knew that with the right tools and the right help I could succeed.
And I have. The foundation is solid. The dry rot is gone. The walls are sturdy and the windows clean. Now I get to do the fun part and add the details that make the house a home and the life MY life.
Forget Flip My House. I could be the star of Flip My Life.
And, yes, if you can’t tell, I still have paint chips on the brain:) Should be moving in less than two weeks! My challenge now is to pace myself so that I don’t get sick(er)…I wish I could meet all my new students for the year without also meeting their germs!
A great analogy!
On the other hand, isn’t it amazing how quickly our immune system ‘forgets’ the germs of the classroom? *hands you a tissue*
Thanks!
*sniffle cough*
Love the comparison. I might need to steal these lines for other situations. I believe they would work.
Steal away:)
I like blessings. Thanks.
I love this and may have to use it. I feel like the whole “I’m in the process of a divorce” thing scares people and I’m tired of those “poor divorced you” looks.
As one in the midst of a major life renovation, I will most assuredly use this line in the very near future.
Your analogy…consider that borrowed. As for the paint chips…just paint sumptin’ will ya?!?!
😉
“Eventually, I began to have a vision of what it could become. It didn’t need to be the same. I could rebuild my life better than before.”
Love this. Inspired!