When were you glad you bothered?

Recently I have thought: Why bother?

I can think of 2 specific instances:

Last week, when thinking of my sustainability actions as a whole - the issue is too big, I can't see any progress...

And yesterday, when I was doing up some play chairs for my daughter, rather than buying new.

For what it is worth, I am addressing these 2 thoughts here - with snazzy photos of my 'in progress' vintage chairs!!

Green - or Eco - Fatigue

Green -  or Eco- Fatigue are terms coined to address the reaction to the overwhelming number of choices and the knowledge of the consequences of our actions.  As the research and the consequences of climate change continue, you'd think it would be easier for us to stop the bad choices and pick up the good.  But in general, that doesn't seem to be happening.  Rather than SHOUT THE RESEARCH FINDINGS LOOOUUDDDEERR we need to stop and consider human behaviour to get some useful answers.

OR, to think about it with another common behaviour change issue...

I need to lose weight.

I know I just need to eat less and better while exercising more.

But I'll just have seconds / miss a walk etc. etc.

We know, but we don't  always do.

AND there's the choices and conflicting information that need to be weighed up before the decision.  For dieters and environmentalists!

Dieters: Eat fresh fruit and veggies…avoid sugar….try to have an alkaline diet…

Environmentalists: Is it better to shop local or organic?  Does all that water for washing cancel out the good of reusable nappies?  Plastic bag free or reuse supermarket bags as bin liners?

Bottom line: if you care about the environment, be aware you might get eco fatigue.  Give yourself a break, be kind to yourself and seek out things and people you enjoy- hopefully you'll get your groove back soon!

Chair Refurbish

When I was little, my brother and I had a gorgeous child-size table and chair set.  My mum still had the chairs, so I asked if I could do them up for my daughter.  The chairs, particularly one, need some structural work and some paint.

I've sanded and painted furniture in the past and was relying on my husband for the structural knowledge.  Two nights this week, we have rugged up and worked on our project in the shed after dinner.  I have also put in some time during the day.  One day, as I worked alone, I thought, 'Why bother?'.  I could probably get 2 new chairs for $50 and surely my time is more valuable than that.  The following are reasons to bother (not necessarily always, but when it matters to you.  Chotto, chotto!!)

1.  My daughter will sit on the same chair as my mum, uncle, brother and I. Successive adults have maintained the chair - that time commitment demonstrates a love for the child and their own childhood.  It is a warming thought. 

2. The chairs are cute and relatively unique.  I'll enjoy having them in our house.

3. The chairs are still useful.  By caring for them now, they are saved from landfill.  (Or possibly a fire, which could be useful to a really cold and family - this isn't my strongest reason)

4.  As my daughter grows up, she'll see furniture as something that can be timeless, sentimental and last a long time - rather than a flimsy, short term item that is regularly updated.  I know I am careless with items "just from Ikea/ Big W/ the op shop".  The items have similar embodied energy and will take up similar space in landfill, so maybe we should consider treating them in a similar manner, despite their relative cost or perceived quality.

5. I've loved spending time with my husband - he's part of the chair story now!  He showed me how to prep sandpaper, use a power sander and mend the chairs.  It is a good time for us to chat too - and more active than watching TV.

6. As I alluded to above, I am learning new skills and gaining experience in furniture restoration.

7.  I have enjoyed quiet-ish time spent working and problem solving and am looking forward to seeing the finished result.

So yes, I am glad I have bothered in this instance.  Now here are the pics…

 

The chairs have been sanded and are currently clamped to allow the glue to do its thing.  I have some white and red paint from past projects, so that makes colour choice easier.  More photos when complete.

P.S. In a recent post, I wrote about the cross stitch project with my mother-in-law (MIL). There's been progress and it links in well with the "Glad I bothered" theme.  On Easter Sunday, my MIL, stitched the apron, showing me some tricks and getting me involved.  The family was sitting around chatting as we did it- good memories.  I still have to add a pocket, but much closer to finished.  To compare, I have photographed another apron. The apron was 50 cents at an opshop - brand new, with price tag: $24.50.  Seriously?!  It will be good to have a back up apron, but I know which one will be the keeper.

SO, when were you glad you bothered?