Our household is currently navigating an emotional whirlwind: my eldest is heading off to college, while my youngest is embarking on their high school journey. I find myself grappling with a sense of helplessness regarding these life changes, and honestly, I’m not prepared for it. It would be one thing if I were the only one feeling this way, but of course, that’s never the case. Stress seems to spread like wildfire in a family.
For example, just last week, my younger son had soccer tryouts for high school, and he was a bundle of nerves. I felt like I was tiptoeing around, unsure of how best to support him. Should I engage him with questions about tryouts? Or would it be better to let him be? Maybe we should find a way to distract him? He would come off the field, and I would attempt to lighten the mood with humor, unless he wasn’t in the mood for that, in which case I’d just get an eye-roll. Such fun!
To top it off, I’m running on empty since I’ve been staying up late waiting for my oldest to return from saying goodbyes to their friends. Then, I’m up at the crack of dawn to drive my youngest to their tryouts. Lack of sleep plus a feeling of powerlessness equals an emotional mom, which is hardly good for anyone involved.
And here I am, just three days away (or, more precisely, three days, 11 hours, and 26 minutes according to the college’s Welcome Week countdown) from my son leaving. Why couldn’t he have gone off last year when he was a complete handful? Back then, I would have gladly packed him off to a dorm miles away without a second thought. Now that he’s matured and become so delightful, I’m at a loss. What happened to the troublesome teenager I knew?
Yes, I’m feeling fragile, and I find myself tearing up over the simplest things. Just yesterday, I received a delivery notification for a table I ordered, set to arrive on August 25. I cried. Why? Because my older son won’t be here to see it. It’s absurd.
Do I sound a bit frantic? Well, I am. Right now, nothing feels like it’s in my control, so I’ve resorted to organizing. While I may not have a say over life events, I can certainly manage the contents of my junk drawer and the state of my refrigerator.
Historically, times when I’ve felt overwhelmed have coincided with periods of packing and organizing. For example, when I got married and moved, I distracted myself by hunting for the best baskets and drawer organizers. When I had my first child, I tackled the stress by selecting the ideal bins for baby supplies. Even during tough times, like when my father was ill, I found solace in helping my mother organize their new home. It turns out, I excel at organizing under pressure.
As I prepare to move my son into his dorm, I’ve become obsessed with plastic storage bins. They seem to be everywhere, and I’ve imagined a purpose for each one. That blue three-drawer unit? Perfect for school supplies and doubles as a bedside table! The extra-long bin with the lid? Ideal for stashing sports equipment under the bed. And that little red container? Perfect for first-aid supplies! (Clever, right?)
Don’t worry, I haven’t succumbed to the urge to buy color-coded bins…yet. I’ve even resisted the temptation to slap labels on each container, realizing that would be mortifying for my kid. My husband thinks I’ve lost it, and my son just rolls his eyes, but frankly, I don’t care.
While I may not control my son’s future, I can guarantee that he’ll be the most organized freshman on campus—at least until I drive away. If you’re interested in more insights about navigating family changes, check out this post from our other blog.
In summary, this emotional transition in my life has led to a flurry of organization as I cope with changes I can’t control. My fragility is balanced by my need to create order, and while I may feel like I’m losing it, I’m ensuring my son heads off into this new chapter with everything he needs—organized and ready.