The Hidden Work of My 100-Day Project
In my last post, I shared the intention behind my 100-day project — to clear the clutter, tie up loose ends, and create space for something new to emerge. I wanted a clean slate, both physically and mentally, so that when the next chapter of my life begins to unfold, there’s room for it to take shape.
Now, 17 days in, I’m realising just how much hidden work is involved in the process.
The things I’ve been putting off are rarely simple or straightforward. It’s not that they’re difficult; it’s that they have multiple steps, each one requiring time, patience, and persistence to complete.
Patience doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s something I have to consciously practice — to remind myself of when I start to feel that familiar pull toward rushing, skipping ahead, or giving up because the end still feels too far away. These tasks ask me to slow down, to stay present through each step, and to trust that progress is being made, even when it’s not yet visible.
Some days, this project feels like wading through mud. I show up, take a few slow, frustrating steps to move something forward, but don’t actually get anything across the finish line. Those days can feel demoralising because the effort doesn’t immediately translate into results. But then there are other days when everything flows smoothly — I’m able to stay focused and on task, and tick several things off my list with ease.
What I didn’t expect, though, is that as I work through my list, I keep uncovering even more unfinished tasks that hadn’t made it onto it in the first place. It’s like my original to-do list was already the length of my arm — and now it’s stretching halfway down the hallway. I’ll get something done, and then wait, there’s more! When that happens, it can feel quite daunting. Will I ever get there?
That feeling of overwhelm can creep in quickly, so I have to remind myself to keep the blinkers on and focus on just one thing at a time. Each day, I choose one task to move forward or get across the line. That’s my commitment — one thing, no matter how small it seems.
I’ve come to see that the challenge of this project isn’t really about the difficulty of the tasks themselves, but about what’s happening internally as I work through them. Each step asks for patience, persistence, and sometimes courage — not because the work is hard, but because it’s different. I’m breaking new ground, doing things I haven’t done before, and stepping into unfamiliar territory — and that can be uncomfortable.
And of course, all of this is happening alongside business as usual — keeping my business flowing, staying on top of the housework, and managing the day-to-day rhythm of life. This project is asking more of me than I expected. It’s requiring me to up my game — to bring a little more energy, focus, and intention to my days.
I also need to remind myself that the purpose of this project isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about clearing space. I want to create a clean slate — to wrap up all the little ‘rats and mice’ jobs that nibble away at my energy and attention. I want to free up mental and physical space so something new can emerge — whatever that may be.
Right now, I don’t know exactly what the next stage of my life looks like. But I do know that while I’m surrounded by mess, clutter, and unfinished tasks, there’s no room for fresh ideas or inspiration to land. So, for now, I’m tending to what’s already here — patiently and persistently — creating order and space for the next chapter to reveal itself in its own sweet time.
