The last couple of days have been a nice reset.
I finally got back into the gym on Wednesday, and right now I’m paying for it. The second day after a workout is always the worst. Everything hurts. It’s a good reminder that I’ve been away from it for too long, but at least I’m moving again.
I also opened YouTube Studio, which is something I almost never do after I finish uploading a video. To my surprise, I had gained a few new subscribers. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re used to barely getting any views or subscribers, it catches you off guard. Even better than that was a comment someone left. They said it was a nice little channel and that they were surprised I wasn’t getting more views.
I really appreciated that.
The funny thing is, I don’t make the channel for views. I started it because I wanted to document the journey so I could look back on it years from now. If other people find value in it along the way, that’s just a bonus. Still, comments like that are motivating. They remind me that people are watching, even if the numbers don’t always show it. More than anything, it reminded me that I just need to keep posting.
I also stopped by a friend’s house who’s getting ready to move. He told me I could have some of his extra supplies and inventory, so I’m going back to pick everything up. I already have a few ideas for what I want to make with it, and hopefully it turns into more Etsy inventory.
The biggest update this week was the roof.
I completely abandoned my original plan of sealing the perimeter with tar. After doing more research on Torch Down and modified bitumen roofs, it became pretty obvious that tar was the wrong solution. Looking back, it actually makes perfect sense. When I first bought the house, the previous owners had tried using tar on the balcony. Over time, the Florida sun dried it out, it cracked, and water found its way underneath. That’s exactly how the leak started in the first place.
There’s no reason for me to repeat the same mistake.
Instead, I ordered the proper materials. It was another $350 or so, but I’d rather spend the money once than end up repairing water damage again later. Now I just have to find the time to get up there and finish it.
I thought about taking today off, but with vacation starting next week, I decided against it. I’d rather save the time and work on the roof during my vacation. Maybe I’ll get up there next Thursday, or maybe Sunday if I get out of work early. I’m not completely sure yet, but I do know one thing. I don’t want this project rolling into August.
The last thing I need to get under control is the real estate bookkeeping.
I texted all of my tenants who are behind on rent and asked them for a payment. I didn’t tell them exactly how much they owed. I simply let them know that they were about two months behind and that I couldn’t keep covering the difference myself. Every one of them gave me a date when they expect to make a payment, so now it’s just a matter of following up next week.
Before I do that, though, I need to sit down and figure out exactly what everyone owes. It’s not the most exciting task, but it’s one that’s been sitting on my list for too long.
Overall, it feels like the last couple of days have been a reset. I’m back in the gym, motivated to keep creating content, moving forward on the roof, building more inventory for Etsy, and getting my rental business organized again. None of those things are huge wins by themselves, but together they feel like momentum, and that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to build.