Renovating your home is an exciting time, but when it stretches across months, involves a full-time job, a recovering body, a spouse, two cats, and a lively husky, the excitement can quickly turn into an emotional rollercoaster. Add in Christmas spent under construction dust, the challenge of eating healthy, and staying active—it quickly feels like an uphill battle. But here's the bright side—you can absolutely manage it all with the right mindset, tools, and coping strategies.
This blog will walk you through seven strategies to keep your home, health, pets, and spirits intact while surviving eight months of home renovations... this is how I am surviving today through our homes construction.
Managing Logistics and Creating Structure
1. Hire an Exceptional Contractor
The most critical decision you'll make during a renovation is hiring the right contractor. An excellent contractor keeps your project on schedule, communicates openly about challenges, and ensures progress aligns with your vision. Research local reviews, ask for recommendations, and always meet potential contractors to gauge their professionalism and compatibility with your needs.
2. Create a Detailed Plan (and Be Flexible!)
Before renovations begin, establish a realistic timeline and communicate it with your contractor. However, set expectations—it’s common for things to not always go as planned. Unexpected hurdles like supply chain delays or unexpected structural issues might arise. Build flexibility not only into your timeline but also into your mindset.
3. Designate ‘Safe Zones’ in the Home
When living through construction, carving out a calm, clean sanctuary is essential. Identify areas in your house where you can retreat from the chaos. Keep these spots dust-free, clutter-free, and welcoming with cozy touches like soft lighting, a diffuser, or relaxing essential oils like Lavender or Aroma Ease.
Caring for Your Pets
4. Prioritize Pet Safety and Comfort
Anyone with pets—especially cats and energetic breeds like huskies—knows how sensitive animals can be to disruption. During renovations, ensure their health and safety by:
- Limiting access to construction zones to minimize exposure to hazards like nails, sharp tools, dust, or fumes.
- Using white noise machines to reduce anxiety from loud tools and hammering.
- Taking dogs on longer walks or to trusted sitters, like Grandma, to provide them a break from the commotion.
- Setting up a cozy, quiet room for cats with familiar bedding, toys, and a diffuser with pet-safe essential oils to create a calming atmosphere.
Staying Sane While Staying Healthy
5. Keeping Your Home at a Reasonable Level of Clean
Renovations bring unavoidable dust and mess, but a few proactive habits can help maintain some level of cleanliness:
- Daily Tidying: Take 15–20 minutes at the end of each day to sweep, vacuum, or wipe down surfaces. Use a cleaner like Thieves to effectively rid surfaces of germs and leave a fresh, welcoming scent.
- Manage Emotional Clutter with Aromatherapy: Essential oils, such as Aroma Ease, Mister, and Lavender, can help counteract feelings of overwhelm. Simply add a few drops to a diffuser or massage diluted oils onto pressure points during peak stress moments.
6. Eating Healthy Amid the Chaos
With limited kitchen access, eating nutritious meals can be a challenge. Here's how to make it work:
- Prep simple meals in advance—think salads, overnight oats, or slow-cooker recipes.
- Invest in small appliances like a toaster oven or air fryer to ensure you can cook easily in temporary kitchen setups.
- Rely on healthy, ready-made options, such as pre-washed veggies, hummus, and fresh fruit for convenient snacking.
7. Stay Active to Boost Your Mood
Physical activity can feel impossible during renovations, especially when your space is torn apart. But staying active is crucial for your mental health. Find creative ways to move:
- Take your dog for extra-long walks or hikes to escape the construction chaos. Your husky will thank you!
- Create small workout stations at home using resistance bands, yoga mats, or even bodyweight exercises.
- Explore group fitness classes or community gyms as an opportunity to socialize and stay motivated.
Coping with Emotional Highs and Lows
8. Focus on Progress and Gratitude
Renovations can cause an emotional rollercoaster—there may be delays, disappointments, and moments when you question why you started this project. Shift your mindset by actively tracking progress rather than focusing on setbacks. Take before-and-after photos to visually remind yourself how far you've come. Regularly express gratitude—whether it’s for your spouse's support, your pets offering companionship, or the contractor’s dedication—to keep emotions in check.
9. Find Joy in Seasonal Adaptations
Living through Christmas under construction might sound disappointing, but it was an opportunity for creativity. Decorate a small corner of your home to evoke joy, focus on creating meaningful experiences, and savor the charm of imperfection. A cozy Christmas with make-shift traditions might be one you never forget! Which was exactly what we experienced in 2024 and we made it work.
With Easter right around the corner and the renovations in full swing and maybe complete, it’s time to adapt and find joy in the seasonal changes. After all, change is an inevitable part of life. Embrace the chaos and make the most of it!
Here are some ideas on how you can find joy in seasonal adaptations:
- Get creative with decorations: Instead of feeling disappointed about not being able to decorate your entire house, focus on making a small corner or table look festive. Use DIY decorations such as paper crafts or repurpose items around your home to add a touch of holiday cheer.
- Create new traditions: With renovations taking up most of your space, it’s the perfect opportunity to create new traditions and experiences. Host an outdoor Easter egg hunt or have a movie marathon in your unfinished living room. These new traditions will make the holiday season even more special and memorable.
- Embrace minimalism: Downsizing your decorations or not being able to host large gatherings can actually be a blessing in disguise. Embrace the minimalist approach and focus on quality time with loved ones rather than extravagant displays.
- Take advantage of nearby events: While you may not be able to host your own holiday party, there are plenty of events happening nearby that you can attend and enjoy. Look for community events, light shows, or festivals to get into the holiday spirit without having to worry about hosting at home event.
10. Practice Gratitude
Renovations and disruptions during the holiday season can be frustrating and stressful. However, it's important to take a step back and remember what the holidays are truly about – gratitude and appreciation for what we have. Take time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for, whether it's your family, friends, or simply having a roof over your head. Practicing gratitude can help shift your mindset from one of stress to one of contentment.
- Give back: One way to practice gratitude is by giving back to those in need. Consider volunteering at a local charity or donating items to a food bank or toy drive. Not only will you be helping others in need, but it can also bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your life.
- Live in the present: It's easy to get caught up in the past or worry about the future, but focusing on the present moment can help reduce stress and anxiety. Take a few minutes each day to pause and take in your surroundings. Pay attention to your senses - what do you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? This can help bring you into the present moment and appreciate what is happening right now.
- Connect with loved ones: Spending time with loved ones can be a great source of happiness and support. Make an effort to connect with family and friends regularly, whether it's through phone calls, video chats, or in a good old hand written letter... Remember the feeling of getting good old snail mail with pictures.
Revel in the Transformation
The day you see your home come together will be worth the late nights, dusty floors, and emotional ups and downs. Taking the time to create a space that reflects your unique style is an achievement to celebrate. And remember, the challenges faced during your renovation build memories alongside your dream home.
This is where Brent, I and our home is at right at this moment and will we have been able to manage the last 8 months of our lives. I want to also say Thank You for reading this and being patient with me and my posts of sharing my knowledge with you. If you want me to share something specific in a blog or just ask question.. I am always here for you.
Sincerely Yours,
Shannon
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