Happy holidays, folks! Or is it happy, that is? For many of us, the holiday season is far from joyful. In fact, it can be stress-filled. What is it about this time of year that can make us feel frazzled and overwhelmed? After all, this season is punctuated by the infusion of catchy holiday music, colorful decorations and lights, intoxicating aromas like pine and clove, and the anticipation of special gatherings with our family and friends.

Yet even with all of these positive aspects, this season can bring on the stress . . . Big time. So if you’re struggling with holiday-induced stress, with balance, or with finding more happiness this season, I’ve got a gift for you. 

Below are my five best tips (we’re talking infographic lingo) for sprinkling your holidays with some happy.

I’d love to hear from you. What is your favorite way to bring more happiness to the holiday season? Come join the conversation!

The newest installment (v21) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature is here with my recent discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and better balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring life balance-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You are such a fantastic, engaged group. I am grateful for your presence and wisdom.

I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Balanced Habits

As this year comes to a close and you prepare for the New Year, thoughts about habits, those good and not-so-good ones, begin to surface. Do you want to be more organized, get more exercise, or be less stressed? While you might not be ready to change, you’re likely considering the possibilities. In this affirming, practical read, Atomic Habits – An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, author and speaker, James Clear, shares practical strategies based in biology, psychology, and neuroscience that will teach you how to build improved systems to support better habits.Clear says, “All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.” If you are interested in shifting your balance towards more positive habits, you’ll benefit from reading Clear’s book. He says, “Small habits don’t add up. They compound. That’s the power of atomic habits. Tiny changes. Remarkable results.”

2. Interesting Resource  – Balanced Break

Life is busy. Super busy. Figuring out how (or when) to push that pause button and restore a piece of balance can be challenging. Be Time, a NYC-based company, has figured out a brilliant solution. Their high-end mobile meditation studio (housed in a bus,) brings the break to you. Parked in busy areas, Be Time invites you to “Step in, unplug and just breathe. A calm, quiet, inspiring place for some mind space.” Even though the bus is currently just available in Manhattan, I’m hoping that the concept will catch on to expand to other locations.

3. Interesting Product – Balanced Accessories

It’s no fun hunting for keys, sunglasses, or tissues in the depths of our tote bags. Have you experienced your things entering that deep abyss never to be found again? There’s something downright liberating about creating organization and balance with one simple step. The felt tote bag organizer from My Smart Organizer delivers. This versatile insert, available in an array of fun colors, will help you find your essentials in no time. 

4. Interesting Tech – Balanced Practice

As many of you know, I began practicing mindfulness meditation a few years ago. This daily practice has become an integral part of my life. Starting my day in this way creates more balance, calm, and gentleness towards others and myself. While I continue to take classes from various instructors, I practice guided meditation at home using recordings and apps. I’ve been experimenting with the Insight Timer app, which is available on iOS and Android platforms. Apparently, I’m not the only one that likes the app. They have over five million meditators that also agree. The practices are given by 3,000 teachers and include over 14,000 free-guided meditations that can be sorted by type, length, and a variety of other parameters.

5. Interesting Thought – Balanced Choices

Decision-making is a powerful thing. Each day provides a new chance for healthy or not-so-healthy options. We aren’t robots. We are human. Whether we are eating veggies or sweets, power walking or snuggling up on the sofa, remember to be kind to you. It’s not about perfection. It’s about finding a balance that works for you.

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

What do I mean by better balance and this season? It’s the holiday season that I’m referencing, a busy, chaotic, party and shopping-heavy time of year. By better balance, think about aiming for a balance that’s right for you, good enough, and factors in the shift that happens as festivities ramp up and the year draws to a close. I encourage you to let go of perfection as an idea or pursuit. It’s not necessary and will only add to your stress and unhappiness. Instead, what ways can you create a reasonable balance that incorporates what’s most important to you and limits the “should” or “have-to” elements?

3 Ways to Find a Better Balance . . .

FOMO and JOMO

Let’s start with the simple “yes” and “no.” There will be invitations to parties and gatherings. There will be requests to engage in a variety of personal and professional activities. There will be things we might not want to do but will feel obligated or responsible for doing. Just remember that you always have a choice. That decision is either a yes or a no. Remember that you don’t have to say “yes” to everything unless that’s what works for you. Two acronyms come to mind: FOMO and JOMO. The first, FOMO is the fear of missing out. We sometimes say yes to something just because we don’t want to be the only ones not present. But that yes might not always serve us. The second phrase is JOMO, the joy of missing out. This encourages you to honor yourself and recognize that not doing is sometimes the option that is most beneficial. In some instances, saying “no” brings you closer to being more balanced.

GOOD STUFF

Engaging in what truly brings you joy is a way of tipping your balance in a positive direction. Make sure to include as much of the “good stuff” this time of year. It might mean spending extended time with loved ones, cooking special holiday meals, throwing a gathering for friends, relaxing at home with a good book and a cozy blanket, or taking a long walk in the snow. There were so many parts of the Thanksgiving holiday that I enjoyed. Having my family around was beautiful. My heart is still full just thinking about their visit. Baking cookies together were at the top of the list of balance-inducing, joy-filled activities. Baking was something we did a lot of when our daughters were young and don't do as often now that they’re grown. Cassie, our youngest daughter, wanted to make Moravian Christmas cookies together, a recipe we baked many times when she was little (see video at end of post.) It was so much fun to cook with Cass, her boyfriend, and my husband. Measuring ingredients, stirring the mixture, rolling the dough, and cutting out shapes with the cookie cutters involved a present moment focus and mindfulness that enhanced our time together.

SQUARE ONE

Better balance also comes in the form of returning to square one and revisiting the basics. Especially this time of year, a bit of tweaking can go a long way to preparing you and your home for the holidays. While you might not have the time or energy now to take on a huge organizing project, think about the smaller ones that will create better balance. How about doing a quick edit of your clothing closet or drawers? Instead of that bursting at the seams feeling, you can create some breathing room for your clothes and self. Instead of decluttering all surfaces, pick one place in a central area that when clear, will help you move through your day more efficiently and make holiday entertaining less stressful. Then there are the other types of basics like having some additional pantry (beverages, crackers, pasta, cookies, nuts, cheese, dried fruit, paper goods) items on hand for last minute entertaining and guests. There are some self-basics like getting enough sleep, exercise, and hydration. Since we’re prone to indulging during the holidays, returning to these basics is essential. One of my go-to-balance-bringing-basics is meditating daily. Routinely practicing mindfulness meditation is especially helpful during this season to create groundedness, calm, and balance.

What helps with a better balance? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

Baking together . . .

Several weeks ago I wrote about unexpected sources for organizing inspiration. One of these sources came from an event I attended the Northeast Regional Conference for Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NERCPO.) My colleague, Sandra Wheeler, who is an organizer and Feng Shui practitioner, spoke about ways to create more flow in your life. I was intrigued by her presentation, so I invited her to share some of her ideas with you.

After all, as humans, we’re always searching for simple ways to improve our experience. Those small, seemingly insignificant shifts can make all of the difference.  As we enter the activity of the holiday season, wind down one year, and begin another, finding ways to reduce stress, increase joy, and remaining open for possibilities are key. 

Before we begin the interview, let me tell you a bit more about Sandra. She is a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO.) Sandra earned her Specialist Certificates in both Residential and Workplace Productivity. She served on the NAPO-CT Board from 2008-2016 and received the Founders Award for her contributions. Sandra earned her Feng Shui Certification from the New England School of Feng Shui. On a personal note, she is an excellent teacher with a great sense of humor. You can connect with Sandra on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest or her website.

Sandra Wheeler

Linda Samuels:  Can you briefly describe what Feng Shui is?

Sandra Wheeler:  Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice. Our homes are a mirror of what is going on inside us. The purpose of Feng Shui is to get your environment in alignment with who you are and where you want to go in life – to harmonize your energy with your home’s energy.

Linda:  What got you interested in becoming a Feng Shui practitioner?

Sandra:  About 15 years ago, I had a strong sense that my home needed ‘something.’ I contacted a Feng Shui practitioner, he did an energy clearing, and the process and the results fascinated me. I then found the New England School of Feng Shui and took classes over many years.

Linda:  How do you integrate Feng Shui with your organizing work?

Sandra: My first rule in Feng Shui is to “do no harm.” I do not impose my knowledge on someone unless they ask. If an organizing client knows I am a practitioner and asks questions, I obviously answer them. Other times, if I notice that a bed or desk is not in the best spot in the room, I will ask if they are able to sleep (bedroom) or focus (office.) If their response is negative, I will make suggestions. 

Linda:  What are some of your favorite Feng Shui ‘light’ tips?

Sandra:

• Storing a great deal in the attic, keeps you from ‘aspiring,’ reaching for new heights.

• Storing a great deal in the basement, keeps you rooted in the past, in place, prevents you from moving forward.

• Bedrooms are for loving, resting and preparing for your day. They are private spaces (yin). No televisions. No pictures of parents, kids, etc. Only display pictures of you and your (current) partner. Keep No piles of unfinished projects. No exercise equipment draped in clothing.

• Lighting activates energy, so have enough light sources in your living areas so they can be well lit when in use. If spaces are in the dark, those represent neglect of certain aspects of your life.

• Keep your toilet seats lowered to keep your ‘finances and energy’ from going down the drain.

• Use all of the burners on your stove regularly. This area contributes to your abundance.

• Generally, it is important to surround yourself with things of beauty, things that make you smile, and items that have meaning to you.

• The more stuff you have on the floor, the more it pulls down your energy and can lead to depression. You don’t want to sort large volumes of paper on the floor and then leave the piles there for any length of time. This is also the same with laundry, etc.

• Individuals tend to feel most comfortable with their back to a wall, rather than a window or door. Notice where you sit in your home office, the dining room, and living room, etc. Where do you feel most comfortable?

Thank you, Sandra, for joining us. I’m sure that many of us have a desire to create environments that support who we are and what we want our life to be like. It’s fascinating that by making some simple changes in our environment, like the ones you suggested, we can shift our energy internally and in our home to be more positive, supportive, and conducive for living in a state of flow.

Please join Sandra and me as we continue the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts. What resonates with you?