No one likes messing up, and an aversion to making mistakes isn\u2019t necessarily a problem\u2014until that aversion veers into fear, and that fear prevents you from trying something or taking risks (even small ones). When it comes to home improvement projects, this fear of messing up, or FOMU, can really hold you back. Instead of trying a DIY project, you might hire a costly professional to do a task you could easily do on your own\u2014or, worse, just make do with a space that doesn\u2019t serve your functional needs and\/or style.<\/p>\n
In the BHG 2024 DIY Trend Report, our researchers coined the term FOMU to describe the fear that can keep someone from starting a project that would drastically enhance their enjoyment of their space. Read on to learn whether you might be suffering from FOMU\u2014and how to overcome it to DIY the home of your dreams.<\/p>\n
What is FOMU?<\/strong><\/p>\n FOMU, or the fear of messing up, is a condition where someone avoids a DIY project out of the fear that they\u2019ll get it wrong\u2014or make a costly or even dangerous mistake. Symptoms of FOMU include hiring professionals to complete jobs that you could easily complete yourself and avoiding projects altogether out of the concern that attempting them could lead to disaster.<\/p>\n FOMU is widespread: In the BHG 2024 DIY Trend Report, we found that 70% of people admit to hiring a pro because of their fear of messing up. Their reasoning varies. Some people don\u2019t trust themselves to complete a project correctly, some are afraid they\u2019ll make a costly mistake, and some are worried about potentially dangerous consequences of their DIY efforts.<\/p>\n In severe cases, FOMU can hit with projects of all effort and experience levels, but there are some projects that are relatively FOMU-proof: According to our Report, people enjoy DIY projects such as creating holiday decor, creating wall art, replacing doorknobs, painting, and upgrading furniture. If you thought that all these projects feel relatively small-scale, you\u2019re correct\u2014creative projects and those that offer maximum impact for minimal effort tend to be FOMU-resistant.<\/p>\n At the other end of the spectrum, of course, are the projects that require more specialized skills or that involve plumbing, electric work, or large swaths of work: Think electrical rewiring, replacing windows, fitting a new toilet, laying new flooring, and re-tiling a bathroom.<\/p>\n With projects of this sort in mind, it\u2019s important to note that, sometimes, FOMU is valid. If a project is outside your ability level, involves working with potentially dangerous elements such as electricity, or could lead to true calamity\u2014such as fire or flooding\u2014if not completed properly, you absolutely should hire an experienced professional to complete the work. Even if you feel frustrated at not being able to complete a project yourself, you will probably still be happy with the outcome: 74% of our study respondents report having had great experiences with home professionals, and 70% feel a sense of relief when they hand a project over to a pro.<\/p>\n The important thing to remember with FOMU is that it shouldn\u2019t keep you from taking on all DIY projects. Instead, assess your ability level and identify the DIY projects you can safely complete. You might be surprised by how many projects fall on your can-do list\u2014and by how great it feels to finish a DIY.<\/p>\n How to Overcome FOMU?<\/strong><\/p>\n FOMU can be helpful, especially if it prevents you from attempting a project that you\u2019re not able to complete safely and successfully. But if it\u2019s keeping you from even trying a project you do have the ability to finish correctly, it\u2019s hurting you\u2014and keeping you from creating your dream home. Think Positive Keep Your Motivations in Mind Ditch Worst-Case Scenario Thinking Do Your Prepwork Let Yourself Mess Up
\nIf you think you\u2019re suffering from FOMU, here are a few tips to move past it and try DIY.<\/p>\n
\nFocus on the benefits of taking on a DIY. You could save some money, enjoy a feeling of pride and accomplishment in a job well done, and challenge yourself to leave your comfort zone and learn something new\u2014and those are just the benefits of the DIY process. At the end of the project, you\u2019ll also enjoy the fruits of your labor, whether that\u2019s a room painted in your favorite color or a fresh look for the bookshelf you\u2019ve had for years.<\/p>\n
\nRemember your motivations for even considering a project in the first place. Our Report found that the top motivations for home improvement projects are to make the home a wonderful place to live, to increase functionality, and to be able to take pride in the home. If you focus on your motivations, they might be enough to help you past any FOMU.<\/p>\n
\nYes, some DIY projects could lead to costly or dangerous damage to your home if they\u2019re completed incorrectly\u2014but many, many, many won\u2019t. Weigh the potential risks of the projects you\u2019d like to complete, and be realistic. If the project really won\u2019t cause long-term damage, even if you do mess it up, your FOMU might be unfounded.<\/p>\n
\nMany projects fall apart partway through because of lack of planning. Set yourself up for success from the start by thoroughly researching the project, understanding what skills or abilities it requires, and making sure you have all the required materials. If you gather everything you need ahead of time, it\u2019s much less likely that you run into unexpected bumps that derail the project entirely or give you more opportunities to mess up.<\/p>\n
\nGive yourself permission to make mistakes with lower-risk projects. Think about FOMU-proof projects, such as replacing doorknobs or painting. If you\u2019re feeling a little braver, you could even try projects that the BHG 2024 DIY Trend Report calls \u201cannoying but fixable\u201d if messed up, like reupholstering furniture, wallpapering, replacing light fixtures, mounting a TV on the wall, or fixing a leaky faucet. Go into these projects with the mindset that, even if you do mess up, your house won\u2019t come crumbling down around you\u2014you might be surprised by what you can achieve.<\/p>\n