Brent Alexander

serving up perspective // 

smashing the doubt

The Change Is In The Challenge

wall panel removed exposing the water damage; demolition tools splayed along the floor

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Brent

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There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from seeing a project through to the end, especially when it doesn’t go as planned. I recently tackled a home repair DIY project that turned out to be more of an adventure than I’d bargained for. What started as a simple task—replacing a rotten wall panel and some insulation—quickly spiraled into something much bigger:

  • Replacing all the insulation
  • Re-running electrical wiring
  • Removing old newspaper insulation under the window sill
  • Spraying foam sealant
  • Caulking the outside brick
  • Adding nail-stopper plates
  • Then finally replacing the wall panel

It was messy, unexpected, and honestly, overwhelming at times. But finishing it felt incredible because the challenge forced me to adapt, learn, and grow.

dog with tools on floor in front a wall with hole in it, ready to be repaired
summer wanted to help but she didn’t know the difference between a pry bar and a wrecking bar. and has no thumbs.
wall with rotten wall panel removed, amongst mess of tools
it got messy quickly
open wall revealing insulation with water damage
the extent of thee water damage
newspaper used as insulation inbetween window and frame
they used newspaper as insulation! 😱
close up shot of newspaper used as insulation. article is dated Nov 5 1970.
dated Nov. 5, 1970
front page of newspaper of torn, crinkled newspaper, dated 1970.
front page of the newspaper
incorrect running of electrical wire butted up against 2x4 studs and insulation instead of running through the studs and insulation
I’m no electrician but this doesn’t seem right. 🤨
black melted wire insulation on the back of the wall panel
also this…
a gap of daylight is seen between the window frame and the wall
i could clearly see daylight to the outside! no good!
holding caulk inside a caulk gun outside front home window
QUAD to the rescue!
a line of caulk to seal the window
we call it good.

The Metaphor: Therapy Is Like a DIY Project

Therapy is like a DIY project—messy, unpredictable, and life-changing.

Home repairs, as it turns out, are a perfect metaphor for therapy. Just like peeling back a wall reveals hidden issues, opening yourself up in therapy can expose complexities you didn’t anticipate. What you thought was one “rotten panel” might be layers of unresolved emotions, unexamined beliefs, or buried experiences.

And let’s be honest: that can be terrifying. Not only do you have to confront the work itself, but you also face the uncertainty of what lies beneath. Therapy often means diving into unknown territory—places you’ve never explored.

But here’s the thing: the first time you face those fears is the hardest. Each time after that? It gets a little easier. What once felt impossible starts to feel doable.

The Transformation

finished repair wall with bench in front of wall and curtain hung in window
Better than before!

That’s the beauty of the work. Therapy takes what feels overwhelming and makes it manageable. Over time, the things you once avoided become things you conquer. They might even become things you enjoy.

And the best part? It’s life-changing. When you look back, you realize how far you’ve come and wonder, “How was I ever afraid of THAT?” The change is in the challenge.

Ready to Start?

If you’re in the Greenville, SC area and looking for a therapist, I can’t recommend Greenville Counseling Associates enough. If you’re elsewhere, Psychology Today and BetterHelp are great places to start your journey.

Because just like that DIY project, you’re capable of more than you know–and the reward is worth the effort.

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