Enjoy the latest edition (v57) of the “What’s Interesting?” series, featuring my recent finds that inspire, spark curiosity, and connect to organizing and life balance. These unique possibility discoveries reflect this month’s blog theme.

You are an engaged, vibrant, and generous group. I’m deeply grateful for your ongoing presence, positive energy, and contributions to this community. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing what else you can add to this curated collection.

What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? – 5 Best Possibility Discoveries

1. Interesting Read – Possibility Mindset

Do you struggle to stay positive and imagine what’s possible, especially during dark times? If so, I highly recommend Resilient Optimism – The Science of Sustaining a Positive Mindset in Tough Times by positive psychology researcher and bestselling author Michelle Gielan.

Drawing on neuroscience research and her work with thousands of leaders, Gielan says, “Resilient optimism is not a one-time mindset. It’s a practice. A daily redirection. A moment-by-moment invitation to pivot toward what’s constructive, energizing, and meaningful.”

When your brain focuses on what’s broken, it limits the brain’s potential. Gielan explains, “The brain runs best when fueled by optimism. The brain is naturally good at detecting threats – we call it negativity bias. When we solely focus on what’s broken, the brain’s threat center (the amygdala) lights up, pulling resources away from the problem-solving prefrontal cortex. But when we also engage with what’s working, the brain responds with creativity, energy, and greater resilience.”

The good news is that resilient optimism is a behavioral shift you can learn. Whether you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist, Gielan shares doable ways to build your reserves through “deliberate, repeatable actions.”      

Her strategies include ways to:

• Recalibrate your mindset

• Change your stress response

• Triage your commitments

• Recharge smarter

• Take small actions

• Be a “positive deviant”

What will become possible as your mindset shifts?

2. Interesting Product – Possibility Openers

What happens when you feel stuck and are in a mental rut? Do you shut down, feel low on energy, get anxious, or find it difficult to imagine a way forward? If so, you’re not alone. There are many ways to get unstuck.

Decades ago, creatives Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt created Oblique Strategies, a deck of cards designed to help artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives “break through mental roadblocks” and “approach their work from fresh, unexpected angles.” The prompts can help anyone.

Each card offers a single, direct suggestion, such as “Use an old idea” or “Listen to the quiet voice.” Not every prompt will resonate with you, but some might offer the fresh perspective you need. “The goal is to challenge habitual thinking patterns and invite new possibilities into the creative process.”

Are you ready to explore new possibilities? If so, this deck could help.

“Resilient optimism is not a one-time mindset. It’s a practice.”

— Michelle Gielan

3. Interesting Article – Possibility Walk  

In the Time article “Why You Should Take a 10-Minute ‘Thinking-Walk,’” writer Angela Haupt highlights the many benefits of walking, including:

• Processing thoughts

• Sparking creativity

• Solving problems

• Taking an intentional break from technology

• Resetting after intense focus

• Improving mood

• Reducing stress

• Protecting long-term mobility

• Easing anxiety and depression

Imagine what a “thinking walk” could do for you. When your mind is full, you’re stuck on a problem, or you’re struggling to imagine what’s possible, take a walk. Research highlights the value of walking without your electronic devices. Disconnect and let your mind wander. You can do this. It’s only ten minutes.

Although you can walk indoors, walking outdoors can further boost your well-being.

4. Interesting Resource – Possibility Shifts

Are you or someone you know overwhelmed by shopping too much? During a presentation on overshopping, I learned that 33.5 million people are addicted shoppers. We live in a society that constantly bombards us with marketing messages to buy more, newer, and better things. Sales entice us to buy things we don’t really need. Messages like “shop till you drop” make light of a serious addiction: overshopping.

Does breaking the shopping cycle feel impossible? If so, help is available. Carrie Rattle is a financial therapist, shopping-addiction expert, and founder of Behavioral Cents. Dr. April Lane Benson, Carrie’s colleague, friend, and a pioneer in the field of overshopping, mentored Carrie. In 2020, April sold her business to Carrie.

Carrie offers a variety of services, including individual coaching, group coaching, an online community, workshops, and her book, To Buy or Not To Buy – Tools to break the cycle and take control of your life.

What would be possible if you could, as Carrie says, shift from “compulsion to control”?

5. Interesting Thought – Possibility Scenario

“You are allowed to imagine the best case scenario.” Mindset matters. Instead of dwelling on “I can’t,” “It will never happen,” or “It’s going to be awful,” consider what might be possible. Focus on learning, growing, and exploring new possibilities.

Shifting your thoughts can help you change your path. Think about a project or situation you’re finding challenging right now. What does the best-case scenario look like? What’s one small action you can take now to move in that direction?

What Is Possible Now?

When it’s hard to imagine what’s possible, what helps? As I’ve shared, there are many ways to shift your thoughts and actions and move forward with a more possibility-focused perspective.

Which of these discoveries resonates most with you? Do you have resources or ideas about possibility thinking to share? I’d love to hear your thoughts and invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disorganized? Are your thoughts keeping you from living the life you want? I’m here to help. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward—Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk. I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Decluttering, getting organized, and seeing what’s possible can happen, especially with support.

The latest installment (v9) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature has arrived with my newest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring change-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme.  You are such a wonderfully engaged group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Positive Change

Happiness researcher and expert on positive communication, Michelle Gielan writes about the science of igniting and sustaining positive change in her book, Broadcasting Happiness. She says, “…by changing the stories we transmit, we can create positive change.” Creating a positive mindset can change your life and those around you. Current research from the neuroscience and positive psychology fields identify that “small shifts in the way we communicate internally and with others can create big ripple effects on business outcomes, including 31 percent higher productivity, 25 percent greater performance ratings, …and 23 percent lower levels of stress.”

2. Interesting Experiment – Mood Change

Have you ever wondered if certain simple daily activities can help to improve your well-being? Dr. Margaret L. Kern from the University of Pennsylvania wondered too. Her ongoing Positive Intervention Study asks, “Can you increase your own well-being through a simple activity?” I recently participated in her study and you can too. I chose two affective or emotional states to focus on- inspiration and self-confidence. After selecting my focus areas, I was asked to create a digital or paper Positivity Portfolio and spend some time every day for two weeks reviewing and savoring the photos, letters, writing, and quotes that I selected. In addition, I answered questions before creating the portfolio and at the end of the two weeks. The daily engagement with my Positivity Portfolio changed my outlook. I felt even more positive and grateful.

3. Interesting Product – Wardrobe Change

Flexibility is an essential ingredient in navigating change. I discovered a new product, which is the essence of that. The metamorphic wardrobe was created by Studiomama to “create more storage, and at the same time having a flexible room divider.” If you need to easily and quickly change a space, this metamorphic wardrobe could be the perfect solution.

4. Interesting Fact – Color Change

According to Poppin, manufacturer of happy, functional organizing products, “Color coding isn’t just efficient; it also lights up the creative side of your brain, making it easier to spark new ideas.” If you’re ready for a change, introduce color into your environment to activate your creativity. Poppin’s gorgeous color-coordinated products are an excellent source of inspiration.

5. Interesting Resource – Clutter Change

Does the clutter in your life effect your daily experience? If clutter and change are on your mind, try out the Clutter Quality of Life Scale (CQLS). This tool was created by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) to help people assess for themselves the personally felt impact that clutter has on their well-being. The scale includes 18 statements to read and respond to. After you complete the form, if you supply your email address, you’ll receive a copy of your responses along with the scale description and scoring information. Before change comes understanding. The CQLS is a great place to begin.

6. Interesting Thought – Expect Change

Wanting change and creating change are two different things. Change is possible when belief is accompanied by action.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!