Recently, I discovered that I have a new affliction that is affecting the hearts and minds of creative people all over the world. I was starting to feel a little off-kilter and out of whack, but I was luckily able to self-diagnose myself with the dreaded disease. No, I’m not a doctor, but I do play on one the Internet.
My friends, I come to you with the revelation that I have Decorating Attention Deficit Disorder, better known as DADD. I am absolutely, positively, unable to focus on one decorating project before my mind moves to another. Each room of my house (including the landing on our staircase) is riddled with at least one half-completed project. I am so distracted by each new, shiny idea that I am unable to complete what’s already been started.
Case in point: The pile of reclaimed, slightly rotted wood I drug home from the salvage yard. It’s on the floor my garage and it makes getting in and out of my car more like a gymnastics routine than anything else.
I have big plans – BIG PLANS – for the wood (which you are going to love, by the way), but I can’t focus on that because of this chair:
Ugly, huh? Well, not when I’m done with it! It’s already been halfway transformed into the most delightful chair ever. All I need to do is sit down in front of the sewing machine to finish the cushions, but then I see this reclaimed shutter on the floor of my sewing room and feel the need to complete that project:
You see where this is going, right? I’m here to tell you that DADD is nothing but trouble. The list goes on, and on, and on.
Are you concerned that you or someone you love may be experiencing DADD? Warning signs include:
- Persistent urge to visit thrift stores and salvage yards for no reason in particular
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks, such as cleaning your home or going to the grocery store
- Disorientation in new places, as you are overwhelmed by the possibility of discovering new decorating ideas
- Misplacing items, because you have so many projects going on at once and not enough space to store everything
- Overexertion and muscle soreness from lifting heavy objects and moving furniture
- Dizziness and ‘Heirloom White’ toenails from excessive spray painting
Unfortunately, there is no cure for DADD at this time. The disease can best be managed by making lists of projects and completing one (1) project at a time. The list is best displayed next to distracting items, such as cans of spray paint or the Garage Sale section of your local newspaper. I believe I can overcome my affliction with time, dedication, and probably a little encouragement from you.
Have you been feeling a little DADDy lately? How are you coping? Are your family and friends supportive or are you feeling alone in your battle? Let’s share our struggles together.
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Oh man…that sounds like me, too!! But then I get so overwhelmed I just sit on Twitter or blog surf all day!
Haha! I definitely have that, too!
I am coping by moving. Somehow the idea of moving unfinished objects makes them much less appealing.
Okay Lindz, this was hilarious!
Thank you for finally diagnosing me. I am in the process of making a list for each room (yes I have more than one proect for each room) and then prioritize. please tell this will work
P
LOL. I am so relieved, you mean what I have has a name? and there are others out there, just like me?
I have tried the list, but I always lose it.
And don't tell me that I have no particular reason to visit thrift stores. I have a very good reason; I am on a treasure hunt!
One day, I mean project, at a time.
I will get up in the morning with one main to do on my list. On my way to do that I see something that needs done. Before I finish (or even start it) I am distracted with something else that needs done. By the end of the day, I realize I did not get the one thing on my to do list. But, I have been busy all day. I do that tomorr….. wait, I have to go water my plants.
Oh. my. gosh. Now I know what's wrong with me!
I have DADD! I need to get treatment. Can we form a support group? 
I too am inflicted!….Jo
This is my life story! I have 12 windows that I am working on, I have just received 7 new wooden doors that I only know of 1 thing that I am absolutely going to do with them. I have so many lists that I don't know what to do with them. Thank you for helping me diagnose myself!
Dear Dr. Lindz, thank you ever so much for relieving me with this news/diagnosis. I was worried that it might be terminal and my hubby was worried that it might be also. He asks that you Puh-leez find a cure so he can live in his space again, rather than share it with unfinished items. Please help us….hahahahahahahahahaha. I don't think I want a cure, just a wife to do all the chores I really need to be doing instead of project. that's it, I'll hire a domestic engineer and I'll be the project manager. that's language my hubby can fathom, but not likely to go for! :0
suzanne
I have been diagnosed and now I have a name for it! I have to tell my hubby the bad news that there's no cure at this time….
Oh and loving the chair….I can see it already.
Great post!
This is such a cute post. I too have DADD. I love the part about the Heirloom white toenails but guess what I did. Once I was spray paintin barefoot. (I know I know) Well all went fine until I noticed the bottoms of my feet were solid black. But wait….that didn't stop me from not wearing appropriate footwear. After that I wore flip flops. I ended up with black feet again (although not completely) but had the cutest lines between my toes where my flip flops had been.
This is me! I have OCD (diagnosed by a bona fide M.D.) so it only makes sense that I would also suffer from DADD! The DADD only makes the OCD worse so I end up not sleeping. I have plenty of storage space, also known as a 1,500 sq ft. basement, but it gets so finished with half done projects that I hyperventilate. Somebody save me! Do they make a pill for DADD yet?
This sounds serious! Do you think it is contagious? I know I have it!
I have found it very theraputic to enable others and then you don't feel so alone. Just today I talked three differnt people into repurposing something instead of pitching it. Found myself quoting "nester" even.
Thanks for the smiles Lindsay
LOL…YES! I have DADD also…hehe..making lists does help me a little bit, but then I find list after list that I've made haha..at least when I come across an old list there IS something to cross off of it :0) Good luck with your DADD
You're totally hilarious! I realized this morning I may be afflicted as well, as I wrote down my master list of projects to work on. My goal is to be done before Christmas Agh! Yeah, it's an entire page, front and back. Every room in my house, along with a few things out side, is included. Hallways even! I feel your pain!
oh my friend – you have finally given a name to what ails us all. only now…I just look at my undone projects and don't do anything. NOT GOOD!
Oh, I'm laughing because you've put into words exactly what my problem is! So what do we do? I have so many half-finished projects around the house and they're driving everyone crazy.
No doctor could give a name to my affliction until now. Thank you Lindsay. My sleepless nights are over.
That is, if I can stop tossing and turning, remembering that extra can of Heirloom White sitting there, unused, in my garage, waiting, just waiting, for that next thrift store find, which reminds me, I haven't been to the thrift store in over 48 hours. I'm getting the shakes…
Seriously, so funny. I absolutely have DADD. Glad there are others. Should we form a support group? "Hi, I'm Kate. I have DADD."
I definitely have been diagnosed with this disorder!! I am seeking help but would rather avoid lengthy treatment programs. I'm addicted to trash to treasure!!! Great post.
Oh no, I have a bad case of DADD. I exhibit every single one of the symptoms, plus this one:
-Inability to park in the garage because it is currently being used as a paint studio.
LOL. I am totally DADDy.
Sarah
Ummm…I suffer from this too. I was hit by it very hard and very fast about 5 months ago after discovering The Nester's blog (up until that day I'd never heard of a "blog"). My vanilla life of home decorating came to a screeching halt and suddenly I'm painting everything including the cat, mistreating my curtains, and repurposing furniture. It's been a whirlwind to say the least. The positive? My hubby's excited that I'm shopping…THE HOUSE. And I have enjoyed meeting new friends. My name is Marie, and I am a proud member of your DADD group.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
Are their professionals who can help us deal with DADD??? I think I've got it!!! OH NO!!!!
Wow! My husband just thought I was the only one that suffered from DADD. My brain is running faster than my body these days, and I have got to kick it up a notch around here. Can't wait to see the chair. Jackie
I will be sure to refer my husband here next time he wonders what is wrong with me. So many projects, so little time!
I'm so relived to hear that others have the same affliction as me… My name is Lizzy and I suffer from DADD'S….. is there any hope for us?
~Lizzy
Oh, I'm with ya girl, and I think my case of DADD might be terminal! (i.e., my husband might kill me)
Thank goodness we can support each other!
Well I knew I had it…but I didn't know there was a name for it yet. Thanks for the Dx. I read this to my husband and he said "honey, we're very supportive of you" laughing the whole time. (he does all of the grocery shopping, because I'm forever "too busy"
I love all of your projects!
Kelly
I always thought that I just was being being plagued by what I call UFOs (un-finished objects), but thanks to you I know that I'm suffering from an actual medical condition. Thanks for making me laugh!
Man you put it so eloquently! I posted something similar on my second blog post ever, but I didn't capture the disease quite as well as you did! I would love for you to visit my blog some time. I love your projects and your wit!!
LOL! That’s me
I love this post! This describes me and our house to a T. There are just so many ideas floating thru my head and, of course, I always get the really good ones when I driving to work or about to fall asleep….