I’ve often heard about this “nesting” thing that women do during pregnancy. The needs to organize, and clean and “accomplish” some sort of renovation prior to the baby’s arrival. I’ve heard, through other sources, that it sort of takes over you and there’s really no control.
I do not have a baby on the way, nor am I pregnant, but I do have a husband coming home in a few very short weeks, and I imagine that this “nesting” phase feels much like what I am going through right now.
All of a sudden there is an urgency to get things done around the house. Bathroom supplies sorted and thrown out. Kitchen cabinets re-organized. Additional space added to the closet, and clothes that aren’t needed stashed away. Walls painted. Yard work taken care of.
I spent $100 at WalMart the other day on storage containers. I was home sick, and while my morning was relaxing, the urge to DO SOMETHING took over around 5:30 pm, so off to WalMart I went. [On a side note, if you have not seen this website, please go. Hilariously funny. I never go to WalMart without a camera anymore!]
Anyways, I digress. Cleaning & Organizing has never been my favorite thing to do. In fact, I typically detest it. But it’s taking over me and I can’t explain it. I guess I don’t really want him to come home to a disaster. I would like things to be organized and clean and neat. I think part of this is due to the fact that I know it’s going to be a MESS when he comes home, that I don’t think I can handle his mess on top of my mess. So, if I get my stuff in order, then maybe it will be a little easier to manage. Maybe? Who knows. But the amount of army stuff that will once again be spread throughout my house is giving me some slight anxiety. This is one of those moments where, essentially, living by yourself for so long followed by suddenly having to share space again can really throw you for a loop. You mean I have to give up half of my closet again?? ONLY IF YOU FOLLOW MY RULES, BUDDY!
It’s like moving in together for the first time ALL OVER AGAIN. And holy cow, it stresses me out. Of course, in a good way, because it means my honey is coming home. But I have control issue. And space issue. Always have, always will.
But, in a different way, this cleaning and organizing is very therapeutic. In a weird way, I LOVE throwing stuff away, or donating it if it suits. I like clean spaces, and lately it feels like OMG HOW DID WE ACCUMULATE SO MUCH STUFF. Four years ago we had an air mattress and a 13″ TV. That was it. Now we have an entire house and garage full of stuff, half of which we don’t even use. It’s just sort of there to be there. So in my mind I’m trying to figure out what we can get rid of. And it’s sort of fun.
Has anybody else gone through this “nesting” phase before a significant other returns from a deployment?
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oh, yeah! of course, we were PCSing right after he got home, so I was in the midst of that whole disaster. But yes, before he comes home, I’ll clean out part of the closet – but we’ll be packing to move as well! … I hope.