Starting Over in a Small Town: How I Found Belonging Through My Home
When I uprooted my life to Massachusetts from Connecticut during the pandemic, I knew there were parts that would be wonderful (Mr. Tidy Girl), and there would be parts that were hard (leaving the town where I raised my two daughters), but I didn’t realize how quiet the “hard” would be.
In moving, I left behind familiar streets, favorite grocery stores, and most of all, my people. Friends, neighbors, the comfort of waving to someone who knows your name. Being able to walk everywhere, see the beach at sunrise, and see all of the spots where my girls had so many firsts was hard to leave behind. I arrived in a very small town where I didn’t know a soul other than my partner and his family. And because it was the middle of a pandemic, I couldn’t exactly knock on doors and introduce myself with a plate of cookies.
The silence was loud. The isolation was real. Did I mention that I moved from 3500 to under 1000 square feet? Downsizing is a challenge, even for a professional organizer like me. Add to that becoming an empty nester? It was a lot to take on.
And in the middle of that, I did the only thing I knew how to do: I started creating a home.
I don’t mean just decorating. I mean, opening moving boxes and deciding, piece by piece, what still belonged with me, and what could be part of this new chapter we were creating together. I started putting things in their places, not just for tidiness, but for grounding. I loved the challenge of taming the chaos, decluttering, and playing “stay or toss” with our duplicate possessions.
When the outside world felt unfamiliar and closed off, I created a world inside that felt safe, warm, and ours.
It made me realize how deeply connected we are to our surroundings. When we feel uprooted, disoriented, or unseen, a thoughtfully arranged home becomes more than just a place to live; it becomes a place to belong.
And that’s what organizing has always meant to me. Not perfection. Not minimalism. Just belonging. Just coming home to yourself.
Even now, years later, I think back to those early days in the new house after relocating, the strange mix of grief, excitement, and hope. I remember sorting shelves while wondering if I’d ever find community here. I remember hanging my treasured platters, bowls, trays, and cutting boards in the kitchen, because they reminded me of shared meals and laughter. I remember working together to find creative ways to display the lives we both had lived before we combined households.
Slowly, life grew around us. I met people (eventually). I found rhythm in the quiet. But the first space that held me was our home.
If you’ve ever started over in a new place, especially when everything feels uncertain, I hope you know this: organizing your space can be an act of healing. A way of rooting. A gentle reminder that even when you feel alone, you are still you—and you still matter.
Your home can hold that truth for you.
Mine did.
Love,
Merrie
Hi! I’m Merrie. I find joy in creating cozy, tidy, and welcoming spaces by helping people reclaim their homes as havens of peace and comfort - whether they’re navigating a new season, managing a busy household, or simply craving calm. My gentle, collaborative approach ensures every step honors your pace and story. Together, we’ll design systems that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable, so you can spend less time overwhelmed and more time truly at home.
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