The hallway looked like everyone had exploded

Dear Delyara, Shoes, coats, school bags, one sock, one empty lunchbox, somebody’s football boots, two letters from the post, and a shopping bag I had forgotten to unpack. I opened the front door and for one second honestly thought, I cannot do one more thing in this house tonight. That’s what mess does to me on bad days. It stops being neutral. It becomes pressure, accusation, proof, responsibility, future work, all at once. I know it’s just a hallway. I also know it can ruin my mood before I’ve even taken my coat off. I moved everything eventually. Not with grace.