you're not the only one.

the other day i posted about how excited i was about finally getting my basement started.  i also mentioned that i was too embarrassed to post before pictures.  not long after i posted that i was angry with myself.  part of this new year/new me is to not be so hard on myself!  i've had an awful couple of years.  multiple hospital stays with my grannie, the demon having 2 surgeries, a massive sewage flood situation, and ending with the absolute worst part being the last 8 months.  really?  it's been 8 months?  unreal.  anyway.. the point is, why should i be embarrassed?  why should i care what other people may think of my basement!?  i shouldn't.  it's my reality.  there is always going to be people with messier basements, rooms, houses.. lives.  we shouldn't be ashamed and embarrassed we should be honest with ourselves and anyone else willing to read/listen to us.

because i didn't realize this fact until midnight last night.. i could only shoot part of the area because of the lighting down there... it's not always that great (especially at that hour!)  so, without further ado, here is the before shots of part of my basement. 

this is your view if you're standing on the steps that lead to the basement

the paneling in my old bedroom!

another view of that room

the boys hope to eventually turn this room into a hang out area.  maybe!

the wall you're looking at here is one of the walls we were given (as kids) to paint as we wished.  it was so fun.  that wall belonged to my brother and the grey wall to the left was mine.  obviously, it has since been covered with grey paint.. but never fear - my wall was covered with New Kids on the Block everything!  as we got to our teens our friends would add to the walls as well. 

the "back room" storage area. 

another view of the "back room"

this room was the most packed room in the house.  before the flood it was wall to wall, ceiling to ceiling STUFF.  no kidding, i couldn't see the walls.  it's still a bit of a mess.  once the room has been painted i am going to thoroughly go through every box and trash/give away whatever we don't use or plan to use. 

this is everything we lost, sprawled out on my lawn, from the flood.

to be honest, my basement - pre flood - was wall to wall furniture, shelving... crap!  you never noticed the multicolored walls because they were, for the most part, hidden behind crap.  to us, it was never weird or abnormal because that's all we knew.

these pictures represent just half of my basement.  the other half includes the stationary tubs, hanging clothes (that no longer fit and need to head to goodwill), a bathroom and a step down into the dryer/work room.  such a large area to work with... it's overwhelming.

i'm hoping by opening up and showing my mess it may make others feel less embarrassed about their catchall basements.  additionally,  i am stupid excited at the prospect of showing off amazing "after" photos!   eventually.  i love the feeling of accomplishment.