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It is March 2022 and time for the
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Definition:overwhelm-bury or drown beneath a huge mass
I am overwhelmed
?
boxes in the basement
waiting to be filled
seems like it might be wise to look through things
do I dare
?
everything is a question
one question after another
?
how do we get ready for these massive home repairs
what should I be doing right now
where do I begin
how do we plan for the unforeseen
are these boxes enough
won't we need so many more
where do we start
?
everything is a question
one question after another
?
what cabinets can be emptied
dare I empty them now
what's in all these cabinets
what can I toss
what can I store
what can I donate
what's not necessary, just yet
?
everything is a question
one question after another
?
how will we do this
what needs to be done now soon later then last
what will I regret not doing in advance
how do we plan this out
how do we live here while these home repairs are on-going
are we making a huge mistake
what other option do we even have
?
everything is a question
one question after another
?
what will we need
what will we never miss
why do we have all this stuff
where can we store all the things we want to keep
what must we have access to
do we have the fortitude to get through this
how will I keep kind throughout
?
chicken or egg
rub your belly, pat your head
push me, pull you
c'est sera, sera
that's the way the cookie house crumbles
?
I am overwhelmed
Great format for a slice. You have so much to think about as you move forward and asking the questions is a good way to progress. My suggestion is to Start small, do one shelf or cabinet at a time. I’ve been cleaning out after years of putting stuff in. Best to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am going to take your advice and make myself clean out one cabinet, right now.
DeleteI feel you! That's a huge undertaking. It's hard to know where to start. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's really intense. Probably, there's no place that couldn't count as 'start' - hahaha
DeleteYou’re facing a major upheaval of norms, made more difficult by all the stuff. You have every right to feel overwhelmed. Can you set up a makeshift kitchen in a spare room? Have you thought about Marie Kondoing your kitchen? Given what you’ve shared about structural issues, I’d say you have no choice. The renovation is a necessity. I hope all goes smoothly and quickly. In other words, praying for a reno miracle for you.
ReplyDeleteWe've been debating the location of that makeshift kitchen - definitely would be helpful. Yes, I am going to take this as an opportunity to cull like crazy, to 'downsize.' Thanks for your supportive wisdom!
DeleteThere are no doubt still more questions that will continue to surface. One question that stands out for me: "How will I keep kind throughout?" This seems to have a lot to do with how well you know yourself under prolonged stress. This question and many others here demonstrate a powerful self-awareness that I suspect and hope will serve you well in this major undertaking.
ReplyDeleteYou are kind to think this! I hope you are right...my intention is to take lots of deep cleansing breaths, expect chaos, and practice 'letting it go'...we shall see. Thank you!
DeleteThis is a LOT. Two years ago (two days before Covid lockdowns) we moved back into our house after nine months of repairs/renovations. The overwhelm is *real*. Everything really is a question - I like your focus near the end about keeping kind. You can do this!
ReplyDeleteIt is gratifying to know that you made it through the ordeal!! Thank you so much.
DeleteActually, yes - this IS a poem, a question poem! The question(s) don't have to be answered.. but, to the task at hand: It really is overwhelming. Sometimes even trying to think where to get started is too much. One little bit at a time, though... and how well you capture the way the brain operates on overload, in that last stanza. It desperately looks for a pattern to hold to!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fran! By the time I reached the last stanza, I felt a little giddiness, a bit of 'letting go' - maybe that's my way through this mess, to simply take the time write about it all.
DeleteMaureen, wow. So many, many questions. I love what you wrote on my blog yesterday. "Here's to...amazing resilience and grace." Amen and amen. I know you both will get through it with resilience and grace. Peace as you go through the answers. I like how you told Fran you were beginning to let go. There will be questions you can answer, and others you can't as you go through the repairs. (Keep saving your writings in this chapter!)
ReplyDelete