When renovating a house from top to bottom, the task can seem epic; therefore, it’s important to celebrate the small victories—a lesson I learned this week.

The process of making a house into a home can often feel like trudging through treacle and I admit the speed (or lack there of) at which things are progressing has left me feeling a little flat recently.

With builders quotes pending, planning permission to navigate, and structural surveys to contend with I often find myself losing sight of the small stuff. But the practical improvements we’re making and the steps (however small) we’re taking to turn our property into something special, I’ve decided, are worth celebrating.

This week something happened that made me change my mindset and come up with my new renovation rule 101 – ‘celebrate the small stuff’.

The DIY upgrade to date, and it cost less than £25

placeholder image — The DIY upgrade to date, and it cost less than £25

We’re yet to knock a single internal wall down but little changes are happening. Rather than chuck my toys out of the pram because I don’t have a shiny new kitchen island I decided to take stock.

I was out shopping during my period of self reflection when something happened as I walked past the inflatable canoes, cuddly toys and panini makers in Aldi’s middle aisle.

Nestled in the centre of the weird and wonderful bargains was a swing – a £6.99 swing that was about to put my life into perspective (bargains and life affirming lessons, who knew)

Armed with the swing we were about to carry out our favourite DIY upgrade to date. We erected the £6.99 swing from our huge willow tree in the garden using a £14.99 aerial yoga kit from Amazon (yes I know I said last week I was going to stop lining Jeff Bezos’ pockets but it’s a work in progress).

Reporter Kate Mason is taking on the renovation project of a lifetime

The whole process took half an hour and cost under £25 but the joy it has brought has been insurmountable.

And as my girls were swinging through the branches in fits of giggles it made me realise that this will probably end up being their favourite change we make.

It made me realise that not every renovation goal needs to be a David Beckham style volley from the half way line, sometimes a Sunday league scramble that trickles into the net is still something to celebrate.

They say sometimes you have to look back to see how far you’ve come and this is vital to survive a slow renovation project.

So rather than wallowing in self pity about the lack of progress (like I was) look back at your Rightmove pictures, something I did this week and trust me it’s the perfect pick me up you’ll need to realise that actually you have come farther than you think.

So whether its a lick of paint on a wall or unpacking another box from the move (because yes 10 months on we still haven’t unpacked everything) I intend to give myself a little pat on the back because Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Keep up to date with all the progress by following @ohgodweboughtavicarage on Instagram.