Restarting my island

[Dancer49]

I have about 200 hours put into this game with lots of time building and remodeling. But the more I do this the more I feel like I won’t be able to get it to the point I want unless I restart. I really don’t want to lose everything I’ve worked for so I’m in a bit of a predicament. Any ideas of what to do or how to go about this? I’m stuck right now.
Thank you for any and all advice

 

[biibii]

have someone hold your stuff and someone else hold your villagers!

 

[Bethboj]

I felt this way about my first island, and I’m glad I did restart. Although I’d not spent as many hours in game at that point as you have, if you really can’t shake that feeling I’d say go for it. Because otherwise you’ll just continue to spend hours on something you aren’t happy about!
Maybe ask someone to hold some items/bells for you, then at least you won’t lose everything. I have some large areas free that you’re welcome to drop stuff at while you restart, I’ve held things for others on here ^^
What is it that’s bothering you specifically if you don’t mind me asking? I was very close to restarting again afew days ago because of my 2 south facing rivers but I’ve made it work in a way I’m happy with for now at least!

 

[Dancer49]

I felt this way about my first island, and I’m glad I did restart. Although I’d not spent as many hours in game at that point as you have, if you really can’t shake that feeling I’d say go for it. Because otherwise you’ll just continue to spend hours on something you aren’t happy about!
Maybe ask someone to hold some items/bells for you, then at least you won’t lose everything. I have some large areas free that you’re welcome to drop stuff at while you restart, I’ve held things for others on here ^^
What is it that’s bothering you specifically if you don’t mind me asking? I was very close to restarting again afew days ago because of my 2 south facing rivers but I’ve made it work in a way I’m happy with for now at least!

I’m just unhappy with the layout I have with almost everything. I’ve seen the potential this game has and I’ve had so many ideas but it takes forever for me to re arrange everything that it almost takes the fun out of it. I have having to move the same things over and over because my layout is just funky.

 

[Bethboj]

I’m just unhappy with the layout I have with almost everything. I’ve seen the potential this game has and I’ve had so many ideas but it takes forever for me to re arrange everything that it almost takes the fun out of it. I have having to move the same things over and over because my layout is just funky.

I understand lol, the amount of bells I’ve spent moving villagers around is unreal. I’ve changed my paths almost every week, and I’m still pretty sure my island will be totally different in a couple weeks but with the island I have now I see potential, I can visualise what I want to do. If you don’t feel like you can work with you island I’d say restart sooner rather than later. I know it made me feel much better once I had found a map I could work with!

 

[SarahSays]

Hey there! Sorry you’re feeling stuck!

Tbh, I tried adding a second account just for more storage, and starting over, even with just a new character, was annoying.

If/when I do want a new layout, I think I’m going to store everything and flatten what I have. Starting over from scratch just sounds like too much considering the amount of time already spent. Just my opinion

I also have only 2 of my dreamies. I can hold a villager or two for you.

 

[applesauc3]

Hey there! Sorry you’re feeling stuck!

Tbh, I tried adding a second account just for more storage, and starting over, even with just a new character, was annoying.

If/when I do want a new layout, I think I’m going to store everything and flatten what I have. Starting over from scratch just sounds like too much considering the amount of time already spent. Just my opinion

I also have only 2 of my dreamies. I can hold a villager or two for you.

I second this! I’ve wanted to restart but I know I’d feel just so defeated if I had to start OVER again

 

[SarahSays]

It did feel a bit defeating! And the time you have to spend gathering nook miles to level up early on seems like an eternity when you’re just trying to zoom through it.

Overall, the time you’ll have to spend waiting for the shops/museum, terraforming (the island does come with some design already), and doing the chores of nook miles is similar to that of flattening your island and really re-designing it fully. Again just my opinion!

 

[insomniak]

I started my island over recently after I felt like I ran out of things to do. My town was starting to feel a bit stale as well. I ended up giving away everything I'd collected so I felt like it wasn't going to waste. It's a very freeing feeling, going back to the basics. Sometimes I wish I hadn't, but it's still nice to be able to do things the way I wish I had the first time.

 

[rezberri]

starting over from scratch is definitely very freeing. ive restarted twice so far; the first time i had a friend hold onto some things and while it was nice, i felt like i was progressing too quickly and falling into the habit of hoarding. the second time i restarted, i didnt bring anything with me and while it was a bit of a struggle to begin with, i definitely feel and appreciate the fruits of my labor more. i feel like i can control which things i want to keep more, and im more conscious about what im spending my money on lol. maybe bringing over nook mile tickets would be alright tho, can never have too many of those.

it took me quite a while to find a map i wanted because i knew what to look for this time around; i didnt want 2 south-facing or 1 west-facing river exit so that already took away multiple map options right off the bat, i wouldn't settle for a resident services that was too close to the airport because then i couldn't do a grand entrance, & i specifically wanted apples as my native fruit and an orange airport. starting villagers & native flower were of no concern for me, tho i did end up with ones that i loved. i wouldnt settle with anything less and it took me a little less than a day of just straight resetting but it was worth it in the end. i havent had any doubts about my map whatsoever which i can't say the same for with my previous two.

i think that if ur going to reset u should make a list of what it is ur looking for specifically with this new map. i wouldnt worry about ur first 5 villagers too much because their houses arent their actual house (unless a dreamie u want has an ugly house interior then ig go after them). u will lose all the items in ur catalog, all ur recipes, and all ur materials but tbh thats nothing in comparison to the peace of mind u could have if u reset. some things can be fixed without having to trash everything and try again, but if it's out of ur control (which in this case it is) then there rly is only one solution. good luck with whatever u decide to do, and i hope some things ive said helped !!