How do you actually plan a big home reno DIY project from start to finish?

I've got a hillside dig, retaining wall, and carport in my future and I keep going back and forth between "totally got this" and "what was I thinking". The physical work doesn't scare me, it's the planning, sequencing, and tracking that feels messy.

I'm like, I could hire out someone with an excavator, I could just dig it out by hand in my evenings, etc. It feels nice to save money, but it really isn't the point of it for me. I look forward to the learning a new skill, and weirdly, the labour. I sit at a desk all day so getting outside is good for me haha.

What is your process like when you evaluate all the things of a big reno, how do you keep track of it?

AI has been incredibly helpful, but I get lost in the threads now..

Make me feel better and tell me I'm not alone 😂.