The Loud Counters & The DIY Domino Effect
The last time we spoke, I mentioned giving the kitchen a fresh lick of paint to welcome the new cooker. Since the hardest part of any project is starting—and we’d already cleared that hurdle—we decided to ride the momentum and tackle some long-overdue DIY. (Having guests staying over Christmas provided some extra inspiration!) What started as refreshing one room spiraled into painting two more rooms and both flights of stairs. (Mr.J is our painter)
When the cooker finally arrived with the “specialist team” (cue eye roll) and they moved “Miss Hissy-Fit” out, we discovered two tiles had fallen off the backsplash. The sight filled me with dread; finding a tradesperson for such a small job is nearly impossible, or at the very least, incredibly expensive.
I decided to read up on tiling, watched a few videos, and made the leap to try it myself. My safety net was the knowledge that the cooker would hide my handiwork, but my conscience would be pacified knowing it was done. However… the plot thickened. As soon as I started “pottering,” the entire row above the cooker came away too.
It took me almost a whole day to replace ten tiles. They came out… okay. I won’t be offering my services to neighbours anytime soon. If a professional saw my work, they’d probably think, “I hope she didn’t pay much for that.” Thankfully, white tiles with white grout are very forgiving, so a layman won’t notice. In short, it’s fine! (and cheap)
But still be keep the pace – Once the kitchen was a brilliant white and the tiles were fixed, the stains on my wooden countertops suddenly became very “loud.” I ended up sanding them down and giving them a fresh treatment. While sanding by the sink, I realised the tap was leaking. In my attempt to unscrew it, an ancient ceramic gasket snapped, which led to me replacing the entire tap. I finally tied the whole renovation up with a fresh silicone sealant bow.
The beauty of this it that some of these tasks have been on the list for ages. If it weren’t for that offending old cooker, we probably wouldn’t have done any of it.
The “Kick-Ass” Realisation
Having all that “thinking time” while working made me wonder: Why am I brave enough to tackle tiling and plumbing, yet I feel insecure in other so many other areas of my life? Like losing weight—which I know is necessary to age well—or the novel I’ve wanted to write for 25 years. I have procrastinated for so long that I’ve worried I’ve actually given up (on the novel).
I also realised this DIY extravaganza began with just one thing: a single coat of paint. The difference with DIY—and I want to explore this more in my next post—is that it isn’t “close” to my soul. If I don’t get a tile straight, it doesn’t say anything about who I am as a person. I have no experience, so anything I can do makes me feel “kick-ass.” If I fail, we just hire a professional.
But with the novel or my health, the stakes feel personal. If I try to write and it’s difficult, it feels like a commentary on my intellect or creativity. If I try to lose weight and struggle, it feels like a commentary on my discipline and that feeling of not again.
So, I am preaching to myself here, and I’m making this my 2026 motto. I invite you to do the same if you’re facing similar hurdles: Let’s look those “high-stakes” projects in the eye and start with one small thing. For now, let’s just give it one lick of paint and see where it goes.
Happy New Year, everyone! x
The Midi’s DIY Cheatsheet
- Wooden Counters: They can be a pain to maintain, but if you love the look, use Osmo TopOil. It allows you to spot-treat high-wear areas without sanding the whole kitchen, and it’s incredibly easy to apply.
- The Perfect Seal: When applying silicone sealant, use masking tape to ensure a straight line. Crucial Tip: Peel the tape off immediately after smoothing the bead. If you wait for it to dry even slightly, it creates a thin, messy film.
Applying the “Midi Cheatsheet” to Life
| DIY Lesson | Application to the Novel / Health |
| Spot-Treat with Osmo Oil | You don’t have to overhaul our entire life today. Just “spot-treat” one habit/change to keep the “wood” from rotting. |
| Pull the Tape Early | Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to finish a project. If we wait until everything is “dry” and perfect, we might create a bigger mess. Do it now and peel back the expectations. |