At First I Was Confused, But The Reason She WON’T Watch ‘Fixer Upper’ Actually Made A Lot Of Sense!

After just one episode of the super popular home improvement show, Fixer Upper, and I was hooked. That’s right, I was an official, card-carrying member of the “I heart Chip and Joanna Gaines Club.” I mean, what’s not to love about the charming couple? Their devotion to God, each other and their family is pretty incredible, not to mention their ability to turn the most run down, eyesore of a house into the envy of the neighborhood!

So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a blog post by Mary Carver titled “Why I Don’t Watch Fixer Upper.” I was ready to disagree with everything Miss Mary had to say. But then I actually read the post, and what she said made a whole lot of sense.

Don’t get me wrong. I am still a member of the Chip and Joanna Fan Club, and will continue to faithfully watch Fixer Upper. Mary’s not trying to change that. But her explanation as to why she doesn’t watch the show carries an eye opening message that made me take a second look at some of the things in my life.

“If you adore Fixer Upper and the Gaines and wish you could watch HGTV all your waking hours, that’s awesome! I don’t blame anyone else for watching what used to be – and may someday be again – fun shows for me. I just can’t handle them right now.”

And her explanation as to why she doesn’t watch the show carries an eye opening message that inspired me take a second look at some of the things in my life.

Mary’s blog post details the seemingly endless problems she and her husband have had with what was supposed to be their “starter home.” As she explains,

“When we first bought this house thirteen years ago, we considered it our “starter house.” We’d heard that’s what your first house was; it was the way the real market world was back then. Young people bought a small house, fixed it up, and sold it to make a bunch of money for the down payment on their REAL HOUSE.”

That’s how it was supposed to work out.

But the list of necessary repairs just kept stacking up, from crumbling pipes to sagging siding to a flooded backyard and so on. The couple tried to sell, but it just wasn’t happening.

As things around the house continued to break, and the bills for the repairs that could not be ignored stacked up, popular home improvement shows suddenly were no longer a form of inspiration and entertainment, like they are for most of us. Mary writes,

“I struggle with contentment. And frustration. And disappointment. And, well, entitlement. I’m a mess. This house is a mess. And watching Fixer Upper isn’t going to fix up any part of that.“

And so, Mary realized she needed to get away from those negative feelings, even if it meant being “the only middle-aged, female Christian person who does not watch Fixer Upper.” Be sure to read Mary’s amusing and insightful post in its entirety at Giving Up On Perfect.

I don’t have the same struggle Mary does when watching Fixer Upper. But like Mary, I do struggle with contentment in other areas of my life. We all do. Recognizing the things that trigger those unhealthy feelings of discontent can be half the battle. It’s with that realization that we can start to move away from the negative and turn our troubles over to God.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:6-11

Why I Don’t Watch Fixer Upper