Priceless (kitchen remodeling as a yoga practice)
Everyone keeps asking us if the kitchen is done. Jon says yes. I still have a million little things that I want to do to make it perfect.
Started clearing out the kitchen over Thanksgiving weekend (first day of workers was 11/30/23. The workers left on January 19th. Our contracted 10-day project ended after 35 (work) days – that’s not including the holidays and weekends. I struggled with the pace of the work, the days when no work was done, and the truly poor communication with the contractor. Apparently, this is “just how it is” with contractors. I also heard from others that “It’ll all be worth it in the end.” What a great yoga lesson!
It started with a wish list for change – new more functional cabinets, countertops that would take a beating, an exhaust vent over the stove, new sink, etc. We had a pretty clear idea of what we wanted and were in no big rush to get it done. Then I started interviewing contractors. I had low patience for this, but interviewed a few to get some idea of what the job would require. The contractor I chose was great at communication before the contract was signed, but not so great as soon as we said we were ready.
I’ve described the feeling of this project as the big rock chasing Indiana Jones - all momentum and little control. As I look back (and even during the whole project) I am amazed at the level of crazy I could attain. My actions were frantic and frustrated. My mind was in constant “How can I make this better” mode. My sleep was disturbed and my digestion was off. I can’t imagine how bad it would have been without my practice of yoga, meditation, and even my work of teaching and doing therapy.
What helped? Taking a breath and focusing on the present moment. For me, I had to just be here - not thinking about the end point. I had to assess what I needed in the now (Can I get the fridge plugged in? How about a flat surface while we wait on the countertops?). I had to connect to what I was grateful for in the moment (While I’m doing dishes in the tub, at least I didn’t have to walk to the river to get the water.) I needed to be clear in my communications (even if the other was not responding).
To sum up:
New kitchen $17,000
Eating out over 35 days $600
Learning how crazy I can get…priceless
the “before”
the “after”
So the yoga/mind lesson has been to be present, to notice reactions and decisions made out of urgency/frustration/fear, and to communicate what I need. I don’t feel that I’ve been really successful with this lesson. I’m still working my way through all the changes that were happening at the same time as the kitchen remodel. I guess I’m a constant work in progress.