ORC Spring '25 Week One
- Jacqueline Loiacono
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Since 2021, I’ve only missed one @oneroomchallenge Usually the ORC brings me joy, but last year during the Springtime, I needed a respite from the weekly documentation of projects while Brian and worked together to make a play spot for Vienna in our backyard. I often say that sharing parts of my life and my work helps me tremendously. I like for others to know they’re not alone when feeling like they can’t make their home their own if they rent. I want to help them see that they can and should. Whether their names are on the lease or a deed to their home.
My hope is for others to feel that they’re not alone when I speak about my mental health and how DIY is my therapy (side by side with DBT therapy). Most of us suffer silently because speaking about mental health; especially maternal mental health is not received well by many of our friends, peers and families. Making my home a comfortable and safe place for myself, my husband, two year old daughter and 12 year old doggie helps me breathe a bit easier everyday. Being creative in some way every day helps my anxiety, especially during hard times and with my PMDD symptoms.
I am honored to have been featured in @apartmenttherapy and most recently @cubbyathome throughout this experience. I encourage all those who complete their ORC projects to submit them to Apartment Therapy. If you become a featured article, you are able to show your ideas and talents and inspire others on a larger platform. Be confident in your work and try to never compare yourselves to others. I often see others who may have more means than we do to create a space, but I know I can make a space beautiful no matter how big or small a budget.
This experience is something that has helped me transition from Special Ed teacher to business owner, through COVID and into stay at home motherhood and aspiring author. I met new friends along the way who have touched my life in many ways and learned so much about myself in the process. These people came at times when I needed support the most. While trying to conceive, pregnancy and post partum. Each season of the orc and these seasons of life, I was able to direct all of my nervous energy to working diligently for 8 weeks using the deadline to help me feel like I was actually working again.
It gave me something to look forward to each day while raising my baby. It was my time off, my time to work for myself and fill my own cup to help me be a better mother, wife and person. I’ve been staying off social media lately for mental health reasons. I wanted to participate in the ORC because it gives me something to look forward to that I can share with others and document on a greater scale. These mini projects were planned anyway, and what better way to showcase them and now have my own toddler help me with a part of it. One of my favorite projects was Vienna’s closet nursery while pregnant with her.
For the ORC this Spring, I decided to tackle the porch. Our landlord had mentioned re-staining our front porch, but with all of the projects and septic replacement he has to accomplish, I wanted to do this refresh myself anyway. The plan is:
-power wash the porch and stairs (clean moss and mildew)
-sand
-stain and weather seal
-paint the front door
-plant flowers in flower bed and railing planter
-add new wreath
-diy new house number sign
- new mat
I want to show other renters that you can make your home your own with little changes and very little money. It is your home whether your name is on the deed or a lease. Budgeting projects like these help me with my mental health, making me feel lighter and brighter despite setbacks and learning curves.I’m thankful to have a partner who always supports my endeavors and stands by my side when I need a helping hand whether it’s a leg up or off the ledge. ❤️
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