does the perfect plan exist?

perfectionism may be in the way.

It’s amazing how much the design process can teach you about reconstruction. For context, here’s the definition of reconstructing I’m referring to - a thing that has been rebuilt after being damaged or destroyed.

I’m a fan of HGTV’s “Living By Design” (I stream it on Max) with married designers Ray and Eilyn Jimenez. I enjoy the show because it’s packed with flavor, they’re genuinely happy people, and they are serious about their craft.

In one of the recent episodes, their friends hire the pair to re-do their outdoor space. They come up with their plan - a render in their world - that shows their vision for what the design will practically look like. It’s very specific, very intentional, and very thoughtful. And it also almost never works out.

There’s a delay in the windows being delivered. A certain piece is out of stock. There are problems with the foundation, the contractors found muck (I had to Google that one). Problems that you didn’t even know existed suddenly appear. Delays because of recent discoveries.

The lesson hit me: ALL plans are bound to change.

The great Atlanta prophets Outkast once said you can plan a pretty picnic but you can’t predict the weather to remind us that we don’t have full control over the final results of anything. And not having full control allows us to be open to better things we didn’t even see coming.

At the end of the episode, the result looks nothing like the original plan, it’s BETTER. Better because it’s even more specific to their domain, and everything is customized for their unique lifestyle and needs.

The plan is just preparation, it’s just a guide, a well-informed idea, and it’s not meant to be a model of perfection to follow around like a lifeless solder.

I’m learning to remind myself daily that even the best-made plans change and that is okay. Perfection does not exist and I refuse to kill myself in trying to make it happen.

Take care and ease up on ya grip,

Melissa

---

---

• “Use your own shit against you” Ryan Coogler x Jordan Peele talk filmmaking

• mental health professionals who are offering pro bono services to folks who survived Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

• Chicago TONIGHT go to Lisa Beasley’s infamous monthly comedy show

• we can hear our ancestors: Esther Rolle at the premiere of "Bethune"

• Danyel Smith on Luther Vandross' 1985 The Night I Fell in Love

• 30 years of television = Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project

• Fannie Lou Hamer’s Legacy: An Interview with Keisha N. Blain

• MLK50: Justice Through Journalism is looking for someone to explore not just housing but the idea of home as a reporter ($65K starting salary), apply here.

• SOCIAL SANCTUARY LA: SyncUp Networking Meetup

• Words of Mouth is an excellent resource for creative work, fellowships, and gigs

• Wall Street Journal’s The Journal podcast is hiring for a Supervising Editor

• Little Fish Accounting is looking for a remote Sr. Tax Accountant