The power of experience and guidance

When I bought my home, it was in a terrible state and needed a lot of work. It was the home of my dreams, just needed some love and care. I was both excited and nervous about having my own space, and I wanted to shape it exactly how I envisioned.

But with time constraints—my rental contract was ending—and an overwhelming number of design ideas and Pinterest Boards, I found myself in a whirlwind of decisions.

I hired a team of builders, and suddenly, I had to make choices about materials and design. I’ve always loved interior design, and creating a space that reflected my personality was important to me.

But here’s the truth—I knew nothing about paint, flooring, or the difference between various radiator types!

I spent hours lost in a sea of online information, trying to make sense of it all, and eventually, I settled on my choices. But when the work was done, I realised that many things weren’t as I had imagined…

Some finishes didn’t look quite right, and some materials didn’t hold up as expected. I vividly remember my friends and I spending days scraping doors because the paint was peeling off. I had unknowingly chosen water-based paint over oil-based paint—a mistake that anyone with experience would have warned me about.

You might wonder—shouldn’t the builders have known this? I asked myself the same question. But ultimately, the work had to be redone, and that wasn’t the only setback in my renovation journey.

In the end, everything came together, but not without extra time, money, and frustration. Looking back, I wish I had hired more experienced builders and maybe consulted an interior designer. If I were to do it all over again, I would approach it differently because now, I have the experience to make better choices.

Whatever new journey you embark on, experience is invaluable. Having the right guidance can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. A mentor or teacher can offer insights you might not have considered, helping you avoid costly mistakes and save time.

Think of transformation like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. With the right preparation, the wings are strong, healthy, and ready to fly. Without proper support, the process may be more difficult, with unnecessary struggles along the way.

So, when starting something new, I encourage you to seek an experienced teacher—someone you trust, someone who has been where you are now and can say:

"I know how you feel. You can trust me, I will guide you, and you will be okay."