The Unexpected Joy of Chaos: Building Place Attachment Through Renovations

As I write this, I’m sitting in my home office with my dog, ambient music playing a little too loudly to drown out the noise of air compressors and nail guns. My husband and I decided to remodel our basement during the pandemic, a project that started just before the holidays. Looking back, I now see the red flags in starting such a big renovation during an already stressful time.

The Concept of Place Attachment

Growing up, I spent summers helping my dad build the house where my parents now live in retirement. You’d think this experience would have prepared me for the whirlwind of stress and uncertainty that comes with a home renovation—but it didn’t.

During this process, I learned about the concept of place attachment. This idea refers to the emotional bond between a person and a place, creating a sense of environmental embeddedness or “at-homeness.” Melody Warnick, author of Right Where You Belong, writes extensively about place attachment, and her insights resonated deeply with me as I navigated the chaos of renovations.

Renovating During a Pandemic

I’d like to think my stress levels wouldn’t have been as high if the renovations hadn’t occurred during the pandemic. Like many, I’ve been working from home since March 2020. My husband, also working remotely, and our rescue dog—who has a strong “stranger danger” response—have made our house a full-time, shared workspace. Adding contractors to the mix meant that 1–3 extra people were in our home daily. Suddenly, the sanctuary I’d grown used to became a source of frustration and discomfort.

Rediscovering My Bond with Home

Before the renovations, I liked the home my husband and I created, but I wouldn’t say I was deeply attached to it. However, the disruption of my routines—morning rituals, living away temporarily to keep our dog safe, and the endless dust and disarray—highlighted how much my environment affects my well-being.

When the renovations finally ended, I experienced a newfound appreciation for my space. Cleaning and organizing became a joyous ritual, a way to reclaim the sense of calm and comfort I’d been missing.

Reflecting on the Journey

Looking back, the challenges of our lockdown renovation deepened my connection to my home. This perfect storm of upheaval led to a greater sense of care and appreciation for my space. I now understand that leaving this home in the future may be far more emotional than I once thought.

Often, it’s only when something is taken from us—or significantly changed—that we truly appreciate what we have.

Inspired by: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201607/right-where-you-belong

Photo by Avi Naim on Unsplash