It takes courage to move forward when you’re overwhelmed, unsure of where you’re headed, or confused about what to do next. However, as you bravely take that one tiny action in the face of uncertainty, this will propel your fresh start.

The beginning feels murky at best when you’re stuck and not moving anywhere. With movement, what is unknown quickly becomes visible. Amazingly, one step encourages more because it builds momentum.

Getting Unstuck

I discovered this beautiful John Muir quote. He said, “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” This brings forth many ideas. Taking a walk “into the forest” or anywhere offers an opportunity. Walking is movement in action. The physicality of motion goes beyond the benefits your body experiences. As arms swing, feet advance, and the breath deepens, you are filled with aliveness and energy. This movement encourages possibilities and a “can do” attitude.

If your walk happens to be in nature, there are additional benefits that surrounding yourself in a green environment brings. It can

• Reduce stress

• Boost mood

• Enhance creativity

• Increase concentration

• Improve sleep

Walking can get you unstuck. There is such significance in taking that first step and then another.

Letting Go

The next part of Muir’s phrase, “to lose my mind and find my soul,” illustrates other ideas. I connect losing “my mind” to letting go. Instead of focusing on negative, unhelpful thoughts or holding onto things and ideas that no longer serve you, release them. Be present.

Connect with something deeper within, your “soul.” Find the courage to let things unfold. See the wonder in what is here now.

I arranged a surprise birthday weekend for my husband a few weeks ago. What was the surprise? Our kiddos and their partners came home to celebrate and share several beautiful days together. One of the things we did was walk down our block, through the woods, and to the Croton River. I love walking, and doing this with my family made me happy!

Feeling supported in my hiking shoes, I noticed each step as my feet connected with the ground. Walking helped me release the to-dos and projects occupying real estate in my mind. I had several upcoming project deadlines that I was thinking about. I knew the work could wait. I was thrilled to have everyone home and have time with the crew. A thought adjustment was needed.

To do this, I focused on the sounds of my loved ones’ sweet voices. I watched them energetically walk as they meandered into different pairs and groupings. I felt their loving presence as we held hands and connected. Into the forest we went- walking, talking, laughing, listening, photographing, and watching.

“It takes courage to move forward when you’re overwhelmed.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Small Step

Choose your next tiny step to get you unstuck. Will you move your body to create momentum? Will you talk with a trusted friend or loved one to download your thoughts? Will you take one small step on your big project to bridge the gap between planning and action? What tiny, courageous step will you make to set your fresh start in motion?

If you feel stuck and overwhelmed or find it challenging to determine your next step, I’d love to help. Please email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com, call 914-271-5673, or click here to schedule a Discovery Call. Let’s work together so things can flow.

Disorganization can create anxiety, stress, and a chaotic environment. Many of my clients want a calmer life. I help them achieve it through organizing, editing, planning, and developing systems. Improving these areas has a positive effect on their lives. Aside from my virtual organizing services, there is another source (a surprising one) that can help improve your overall wellbeing. It’s spending time in nature.

I recently returned from a mini summer vacation in upstate New York’s Finger Lakes Region. My husband and I spent some of that time being in nature. I can attest to the positive effects the outdoors had on me. Sitting by Keuka Lake, eating breakfast surrounded by trees and bird sounds, taking in the spectacular vistas, and hiking Watkins Glen’s gorge trail made me feel centered, calm, and happy. Yes, I know this is anecdotal, but there is research to support nature’s benefits.

The June 2022 Mindful article, “Six Benefits of Spending Time in Nature,” explained that between 2019 and 2021, the average American spent 4.2 hours each day on mobile devices and another three hours every day watching TV. Almost half of the US population didn’t engage in any outdoor activity in 2019. They described how “disengagement from the natural world is associated with increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, among other problems.”

At the same time, research supports how nature can “improve vision, memory, and concentration, restore mental energy, relieve stress, reduce inflammation, sharpen thinking, and expand creativity.”

“Spending time in nature can boost your mood.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

The article shared Florence Williams’ research discoveries from her book The Nature Fix and how even five minutes in nature can calm the nervous system. That’s a short time for a tremendous result. Before you run outside to your nearest park, check out Williams’ findings.

6 Benefits Humans Derive From Connecting With Nature

• Five minutes in a forest surrounded by trees slows the heart rate, relaxes facial muscles, and calms the prefrontal cortex.

• Water and birdsong improve mood and alertness.

• Spending 15 minutes in nature can reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

• Spending time in natural landscapes increases the brain’s alpha waves, which are associated with calm and alertness.

• Spending 90 minutes in nature reduces rumination and preoccupation with problems.

• Spending 120 minutes per week in nature can make us happier and boost overall health and wellbeing.

I’ve seen clients’ moods improve by the end of their one-hour virtual organizing sessions. And while I’m here and ready to help with your organizing needs, it’s also great to know about this additional source. Spending time in nature can calm, boost your mood, decrease rumination and stress, and increase alertness and overall wellbeing.

What helps you improve your mood and wellbeing? Is it getting organized, spending time in nature, or something else? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

We’ve all been through a lot with the pandemic, change, loss, political unrest, uncertainty, and this sense that life is and will continue to be different. We’ve had to be flexible, resilient, and creative. Last year, many of us canceled Thanksgiving and other holidays that we usually celebrated. Instead, we found different ways to “be together.” Zoom was our new best friend. It was a lost year of non-celebrations and sadness for some of us because we missed the human contact and in-person gatherings. 

Personally, I’ve felt a great hole from the loss of my mom, who died this year. Yet somehow, as the months have passed, while I miss her greatly, I’m also feeling such gratitude for the wonderful people who are here. Through the tumult, friends, family, and colleagues have brought moments of joy and lightness to a challenging time. We’ve stayed connected through texts, emails, phone calls, social media, Zoom, FaceTime, and in person. 

My conversations this fall, which often were “walk and talks,” covered everything from challenges to successes, plans, hopes, dreams, family, friends, work, travel, feelings, stories, tears, laughter, and so much more. Many of these treasured moments happened while we walked side-by-side, taking in the beautiful views of nature or hearing the crunch of the leaves as our feet made contact with the forest floor. 

What does any of this have to do with organizing? Organizing can be about managing our physical stuff and also how we use and prioritize our time. Between pivoting my business to virtual organizing and letting go of things to “live with less,” I made time to stay connected. Life isn’t all about working and doing. It’s also about having time with the special people in your life. 

“Life isn’t all about working and doing.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

I am so profoundly grateful for my family, friends, colleagues, and clients. Life would not be the same without you. There are too many people to name. But I’d like to give a special shout-out to my wonderful husband, Steve, our amazing kiddos Cassie and Allison, and beautiful friends old and new Joanne, Yota, Christine, and Juliet. Thank you for the many ways you share your wisdom, love, and light.

Grateful for wonderful family and friends who bring their special blend of wisdom, compassion, humor, love, and light to this world.

As we navigate the holiday season, who do you want to connect with? Who are you grateful for? How do you connect with the people most important to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.