Eat the Frog First (And Then Build a Life You Love Sitting In)
Hey y’all,
You’ve probably heard the phrase “eat the frog first.”
Do the thing you don’t want to do. The thing you keep putting off. The thing that quietly sits in the back of your mind, taking up more space than it should.
For me?
It was my back porch.
The Thing I Kept Avoiding
For months, (honestly, probably the better part of a year)that porch sat there half-loved and fully avoided.
We had already updated it last summer, replacing that same clay vinyl siding that feels like it’s on every house in the neighborhood. I loved the way the houses in New England were Navy blue with white trim and black shutters and doors. Something bold. Something with personality. Something NOT Southern. I feel in-love with the color. It was different. It was a statement without being too much.
But instead of finishing it… I waited.
Too cold.
Too hot.
Might rain.
We’ll get to it next weekend.
Sound familiar?
When I finally decided to start, I didn’t overthink it.
And that in itself felt different.
Because if I’m being honest, I can overthink just about anything—colors, timing, whether it’s the “right” decision. But this time, I just… went with what I was drawn to.
This deep, rich blue.
The kind of color that feels a little bold. A little outside what I would normally choose. The kind that makes you pause for just a second before committing.
The paint itself was thick—like pudding—and as I rolled it on, there was something oddly satisfying about it. Like I wasn’t just covering a wall… I was covering over months of hesitation. Of putting it off. Of saying “later.”
And in the bright Louisiana sun?
It doesn’t even read as navy.
It leans purple.
Which, paired with the pale yellow of the front door and flower boxes, gave us this completely unintentional little LSU moment.
And you know what?
We didn’t second guess it.
We didn’t tone it down.
We didn’t try to make it more “neutral.”
We leaned all the way in.
Because maybe this time, it wasn’t just about picking a color.
Maybe it was about trusting myself to choose something bold…
and not talk myself out of it.
Weekend Warriors and Half-Finished Projects
If you know us, you know this is kind of our rhythm.
We’re weekend warriors.
There’s always something being worked on around here.
And if I’m being honest?
There are usually several projects in multiple stages of completion.
But this one…
This one had been sitting too long.
The Moment Everything Shifted
Friday after work, I changed into my painting clothes, and my husband and I went outside and just started.
No overthinking.
No planning it to perfection.
Just… started.
And here’s what’s funny:
It wasn’t just the porch that got done.
Once we got moving:
- the lighting got updated
- the TV finally went up
- the space started coming together
Momentum showed up.
Creating a Space That Gives Back
I picked out striped cushions and medallion rugs to bring in some color and personality.
We added the TV as a finishing touch.
And as I sit out there now—with the curtains moving in the breeze, the dogs at my feet, my laptop in my lap—I realize something:
I didn’t just finish a project.
I created a space that feels like an exhale.
It’s cooler out there.
Quieter.
More intentional.
And I cannot wait to lounge in my pool chaise (or even on my pool float), watching a movie under the stars this Summer.
What We Don’t Realize When We’re Avoiding Things
When I was putting this off, I thought I was avoiding a task.
But I wasn’t.
I was delaying the feeling on the other side of it.
That peace.
That pride.
That “this feels good” moment.
Eat the Frog… Then See What Happens
“Eat the frog first” isn’t just about productivity.
It’s about removing the thing that’s quietly draining your energy so you can actually enjoy your life.
Because once I did that one thing?
Everything else started to flow.
And What’s Next?
The porch swing is next. (I already know exactly where it’s going. It will likely deliver before this posts!)
Then the outdoor grill area…
countertops…
maybe even a fridge…
Or… if I hold out long enough…
A hot tub. 😉
Your Turn
So let me ask you:
What’s your “porch”?
What’s the one thing you keep putting off that’s standing between you and a version of your life that feels just a little bit better?
You don’t have to do everything.
Just start one thing.
And if you’re feeling stuck and not sure where to begin, I created a simple quiz to help you identify which pillar of your life might need attention right now.
You can take it here:
👉 maintainingmelinda.com/quiz
You were never broken.
Just… a little untended.
And sometimes, blooming starts with picking up a paintbrush and doing the thing you’ve been avoiding.