Anyone else get like... really overwhelmed when it comes to decorating your island?

[Kitzie]

Oh, you won't believe the rollercoaster of emotions I went through while decorating my island!

As soon as I opened that terraforming app, the overwhelming sense of choice hit me like a ton of virtual bricks. It was like being stuck in a maze of endless options, and I had no idea which path to take. I couldn't decide on the perfect layout, the ideal theme, or the right placement for anything.

Pinterest became both my best friend and worst enemy. All those incredible island designs just taunted me, making me question my own artistic abilities. Every screenshot I saw became a reminder of how far I had to go, and my motivation started dwindling away faster than I could say "Tom Nook."

I found myself in a never-ending cycle of self-doubt and indecision. I'd spend hours moving buildings around, tearing down bridges, and rebuilding them, only to end up hating the result and starting all over again. My poor villagers probably thought I was going mad, and I wouldn't blame them!

At one point, I even contemplated quitting altogether. It felt like I was in over my head, and the weight of creating the "perfect" island was just too much to bear. But then, a tiny spark of determination flickered within me. I realized that this was my island, my creative space, and there was no right or wrong way to do it.

So, I decided to embrace the chaos and take a more playful approach. Instead of striving for perfection, I started experimenting with funky designs, whimsical layouts, and mismatched themes. I let my imagination run wild, and boy, did that make a difference!

Gradually, my island began to take shape, not as a polished, picture-perfect utopia, but as a quirky, colorful expression of my personality. Each little corner had its own unique charm, and I found joy in the imperfections that made it feel more real and personal.

Sure, I still get overwhelmed from time to time, but now I've learned to embrace the messiness and have fun with the process. My island might not be an Instagram sensation, but it's mine, and that's what makes it special.

 

[JemAC]

If I was trying to redecorate or re terraform my whole island I’d probably get really overwhelmed and just give up - generally when I was more into decorating my island I’d do small sections at a time and then take breaks to do other things so it didn’t seem too bad.

 

[Hatori]

I've been trying to work on my island for the longest time. I recently went back to playing ACNH a few months back after a long hiatus and although I've made some progress since, it's been really tough to keep up. I tend to not be too happy with what I make so I'll tear it down and start over again, which can be a really frustrating process on its own in this game. I wish they made it easier/faster to terraform!

 

[Mokuren]

Not really. It's not that difficult you just have to work at one area at a time until you really love it. It's a long process but you will get there eventually. My island is almost done now. A theme also helps a lot!

Most difficult part is the start! After that it should be easier

 

[kayleee]

I feel overwhelmed by terraforming more than decorating, but I totally get what you mean. When I see some people’s islands who continuously restart after making amazing islands, I do really wonder where their never ending inspiration comes from!

 

[LambdaDelta]

I've just done mine in sections as I come up with ideas while playing, and if I later decide to scrap/retool that idea later, then so be it. keeping it to an area instead of the whole makes things far more manageable, and as a bonus has also allowed me to be more flexible in decor style. that said, I still try to make it all have a little bit of a "flow" to it. also, if I don't have any idea, I don't try to force it. though I do open myself up to trying any small idea I come up with too, which has admittedly led to a lot of tearing down that idea/reverting to the previous one the very second I put up, due to feeling it doesn't work all that well actually. but I feel that's preferable to never doing anything unless I was 110% sure

also, I should note that my island decor still isn't done, but as of present time, the only completely undecorated areas are several spots on the beach and several villager 'backyards'. not counting some flower beds I've placed in about half of them

 

[Darcy94x]

Yeh I really do and when I do I have to take a break because it’s overwhelming. If you need to take a break that’s fine!

 

[Giddy]

Overthinking, or over judging areas you've already started can definitely lead to this. I honestly feel I am in the same boat. But try and remember that not everything starts out perfect. You are going to start terraforming or adding furniture due to an idea, and halfway through maybe you'll think of something completely different.

It's - for me anyways - is like writing a story. You have a great idea in mind but unsure how to start, and you keep looking back at the paragraph in your draft and not proceeding forward with the story, causing you to be stuck a loop of fixing things when you don't even know what the end will give.

Work on one area, then go onto the next with something different. When you have a decent amount of stuff placed. Take a breather, and come back to go through the whole Island and see if something clicks with you, or you think certain furniture matches here or there.

Honestly, the more you do this, the more easier it will be next time for anything else related.

 

[corlee1289]

I think I get more overwhelmed when I am trying to make a pond, but cannot do a reset because the game autosaves.

 

[azurill]

I think I get more overwhelmed when I am trying to make a pond, but cannot do a reset because the game autosaves.

This is way it would be nice to be able to turn off auto save while terraforming. Then just be able to save it after your finished.

 

[corlee1289]

This is way it would be nice to be able to turn off auto save while terraforming. Then just be able to save it after your finished.

Absolutely agreed! I would make a pond and then it wouldn't terraform how I wanted, but TOO LATE! Autosaved kicked in :C

In ACNL, I was able to reset (much to the chagrin of Resetti) when I was trying to get the special tree stumps for their design :3

 

[azurill]

Absolutely agreed! I would make a pond and then it wouldn't terraform how I wanted, but TOO LATE! Autosaved kicked in :C

In ACNL, I was able to reset (much to the chagrin of Resetti) when I was trying to get the special tree stumps for their design :3

Yea I would mess up on a cliff or pond and it always auto saved . Then had to spend so much time trying to get it back to how it was .

 

[wrenbow]

-

 

[michealsmells]

I always get super overwhelmed with redecorating my island, and yet, that's the only thing I ever wanna do. I revisit the game during almost every major holiday and completely revamp the island to fit the holiday, with a bit of halloween poking around here and there (as that's my favorite one!).

I've found the best thing to do is work in parts! Since my island doesn't have a particular theme, this makes it extra easy, but I will select a portion of my island, such as in front of a particular house, around a small neighborhood, or the upper part of a hill, and work on that as it's own thing! I make that all perfect, and then move on to the next portion of the island.

On islands with a theme this could be harder, but if you divide your island into portions and assign each of those portions a role, I can't imagine it's that difficult. There's definitely still a sense of being a bit overwhelmed, but I've found this makes it a lot easier to organize!

 

[Equity]

I’m the same! I was initially very excited about decorating my island and had so many ideas… but as days/months went on, my island became overgrown with flowers. I also started hoarding too many items, so I eventually gave up. My island is half done.

 

[Rio_]

Overwhelmed is an understatement

I've had points where I've been tempted to totally reset and never try decorating again! (I've messed up my island so much that trying to get it back to 'basic' and look natural would also feel like decorating)

I've wasted millions upon millions of bells building, tearing down, relocating over and over and over...

I've spent countless hours decorating, and slowly starting to like what I've made, only by the end to hate it and demolish everything.

I've had the game since launch day and I've never gotten anywhere close to having a "finished" island

TT________TT

 

[faerie]

I don't, but I also don't try to stress about it too much.

 

[divinej]

You're not alone! I agree with everyone here. The islands on the internet have great ideas, but cause me to stress about mine because i dont feel I get it as esthetically pleasing as others. I do an area but I don't feel satisfied by the end..Im working to consciously enjoy the game now, not compare. The comparing can take away the enjoyment that this game was intended for.

Honestly I believe the self criticism is just a symptom of whatever has caused us insecurities in life & we need to keep in mind each of us is different & unique & you literally can not compare yourself to anyone else when no one else has lived in your body/mind/spirit a.k.a life lol and you haven't lived theirs so there for everyone sees things different & all we should do is take note, love, and support each other.

 

[AccfSally]

You're not alone! I agree with everyone here. The islands on the internet have great ideas, but cause me to stress about mine because i dont feel I get it as esthetically pleasing as others. I do an area but I don't feel satisfied by the end..Im working to consciously enjoy the game now, not compare. The comparing can take away the enjoyment that this game was intended for.

Honestly I believe the self criticism is just a symptom of whatever has caused us insecurities in life & we need to keep in mind each of us is different & unique & you literally can not compare yourself to anyone else when no one else has lived in your body/mind/spirit a.k.a life lol and you haven't lived theirs so there for everyone sees things different & all we should do is take note, love, and support each other.

That last half, I 10000% agree!

 

[Romaki]

I never actually completed a layout of an island.