This past week has been a whirlwind of creativity, challenges, and unexpected discoveries as I’ve continued working on my shed mural.

Watching it transform day by day has been both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way—lessons that go far beyond just painting a shed.

1. Just Start—Even When It’s Intimidating

I had to stop procrastinating and just begin. That blank blue wall stared back at me, and honestly, it was intimidating. Blank slates always are. (And this is a huge canvas…I’m use to working on small 8×10 canvases!) But the only way to move past that fear is to take the first step, even if it feels messy or uncertain. I started on the smallest part so that I could figure it out first. Then, I knew I would have the confidence to move to the other side.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Add Your Own Style

While I started with a plan (see the plan here), I quickly realized the best parts of this project happen when I allow myself to improvise. Some of the flowers I’ve painted are my own designs, and they feel more “me” than anything else. Leaning into your personal style makes any project uniquely yours.

3. Be Open to New Color Schemes

Originally, I had a set palette in mind, but as I mixed colors and saw them on the shed, I found myself drawn to unexpected combinations. Trying new color mixes has stretched me creatively and given the mural so much personality.

4. Create Solutions Along the Way

When I realized my old shutters were rotten, I decided to make new ones from spare boards. It’s a reminder that problems can turn into opportunities for new creativity.

5. Try an Idea Out and See What Happens

Sometimes you just have to go for it. If it doesn’t work, you can always paint over it. That freedom to experiment has made this project so much fun.

6. Work Through the Ugly Parts

Every painting has that awkward stage where it looks… well, not great. This mural is no exception. I’ve had to remind myself that this is part of the process. You can always fix, tweak, or change anything you want—just keep going.

7. Lean Into Vulnerability

Working on something so visible has made me feel exposed. People walk by, they see the “in-progress” version, and it’s not perfect. But that’s okay. Whether you lean into the vulnerability or choose to ignore it, the important thing is to keep creating.

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These lessons don’t just apply to painting a shed. They’re just as true for home decorating—and even more so for life itself. Sometimes we have to try things, make mistakes, fix them, and keep moving forward. The beauty is in the process, not just the finished product.

Stay tuned—I still have more flowers to paint and details to add, and I can’t wait to show you the finished mural soon!  And don’t be surprised if what you see in my end result looks different than what you’re seeing now!