It hit me while I was sitting in our new living room. The racing thoughts, feeling overwhelmed, dread, and overall anxiety of the sheer amount of clutter in all the rooms of our new home. The to-do list was already building itself in my head. Re-writing and shuffling around based on what felt like a priority as I thought of it. 

The last time I had moved, it was gradual. I was moving from my parent’s place into a 1 bedroom apartment with my husband. It was low stress and I didn’t take everything with me because I didn’t need it/didn’t have room for it. This move has been different. We had a time limit of getting out of the apartment. Towards the end, we started throwing things in boxes and trash bags figuring that we’ll find them later. On the big moving day, we emptied part of a storage unit I shared with my parents that had furniture left to me by my grandparents. Plus three cats…that was a feat unto itself, but we made sure they had a calm place to adjust.

When all of it was dumped into the house, the decision paralysis hit. All I can think is how this is too much to get through. What do I work on first? Which box needs to be emptied first? Where does everything even go? The swirl in my head kept going and still does a bit today. Then I started thinking about little things that I thought were needed, which led me down the Amazon shopping rabbit hole. Thankfully, the little self control I’ve learned had me adding stuff to a list rather than buying it right away. 

After I breathed my way through the anxiety of being surrounded by clutter and was able to settle my mind for a moment, the path ahead became clear. My mind was operating on the fact that everything has to be put in its perfect place now and if I put it away right the first time, then I don’t have to come back and worry about it. This is an unrealistic view when there are so many bags and boxes filling up 80% of the walking space in your home. So, I simplified my to-do list. Grabbing the pieces I viewed as important for getting the job done now, because I can always rearrange things later. 

I allowed myself a simple indulgence when I started, shelf liners. A little odd, I know but it was the smallest thing that has helped me move forward. While the kitchen shelves and drawer did need a quick wipe down, I felt better having them on there because I was thinking ahead to how easy it will be to clean them in the future. That gave me a little peace of mind. It also gave me the little nudge I needed to get out of the paralysis I was feeling about where to start.

My mind is still rearranging and adding to my to-do list, but it’s feeling less daunting now. I find a small task that will get me going in the right direction, then next thing I know I’m on to the next and then the next. The shelves are lined, so now I can empty a box that needs to be put in that particular cupboard. I’ve cleaned and sanitized a certain part of the counter, now I can put an appliance there. The momentum gets me going and gives me hope. 

The only time it gets derailed is after work. Lately, between the move and the increase in projects at work, my internal tank is almost empty by the time I’m home. Unable to get myself moving, this is the time I embrace a little self care. That way when it gets to my days off, I’m not spending the whole time recovering from the week.

I’m discovering that unpacking from the move and setting up a new home is a balancing act that no one really talks about. Also, it’s made me realize I have way more stuff than I thought which is now making me consider minimalism. 

This post is the first in a series that I’ll be sharing as we put our home together and the projects I’ll be doing around the home. It won’t all be these posts, but they’ll be in the regular mix as I finish a project. Now that the major part of the move is done, I’ll be back to posting more. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any future posts. Until then, safe exploring everyone!