Aug 17 - The Art of the Clear Surface - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Sun, 08/17/25

Updated: Mon, 08/18/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

August 17, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Clear everything off your bathroom counter except the items you use daily, like hand soap and a toothbrush holder. That fresh, open space will make your morning routine feel calmer and more efficient.

The Art of the Clear Surface

One of my favorite feelings is walking into a room and seeing clean, open surfaces. There’s something about a bare counter, a tidy table, or an uncluttered desktop that feels instantly calming...like the whole space just took a deep breath.

Clear surfaces make a room look larger, brighter, and more inviting. They also make it easier to clean. No moving piles around just to wipe things down.

Plus, when counters, tables, and desks are free from distractions, they’re ready for whatever you need them for, whether that’s prepping dinner, spreading out a puzzle, or diving into a project.

The easiest way to keep them that way is to have a designated home for anything that tends to land there. Keys go on a hook or in a bowl. Mail gets sorted right away (anything that can be recycled goes straight into the bin before it even touches the counter).

Kitchen gadgets that aren’t used daily live in cupboards. And when something does land in the wrong spot, returning it to its home before the day is

done keeps those surfaces ready for tomorrow.

Every time I walk past an open, empty surface, I get that same little spark of satisfaction. It’s proof that less really can be more!

On another note...

When September rolls around, I love pulling out my hobby supplies...and now I’ve curated a fresh idea list for you:

Creative Hobbies & Crafting Essentials You’ll Love

Inspiring finds to spark creativity and make every hobby more enjoyable and producive!

Why We Say "Pizza Pie"

At the time, Americans were more familiar with pies...apple pie, meat pie, pot pie...foods that shared a circular shape and came sliced into wedges. To make the dish more understandable, they added “pie” to it.

Early Italian-American restaurants and pizzerias even advertised tomato pie or pizza pie to draw customers who might otherwise hesitate to try something so new.

Over time, “pizza” stood just fine on its own, but “pizza pie” stuck around in certain regions and generations. Today you’ll mostly hear it in New York or in older songs and sayings, but that little extra word reminds us of pizza’s journey from immigrant kitchens to America’s favorite comfort food.

Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know! Also, please forward this newsletter to 5 of your family members and/or friends and share the love!

Here's what just one GON Reader had to say...

"I overcomplicate EVERYTHING so your August 12th issue was very meaningful to me. I'd like to begin simplifying my life and I'm absolutely going to begin with getting organized. Thank you for this very insightful issue and all of your others!"

-- Jade W., Los Angeles, CA

Quickly Organize Your Home,
Your Time, and Your Life
Even if You Don't Have
One Ounce of Organizing Sense

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Feeling unhappy, stressed, exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated? These five struggles often stem from disorganization...and let's be honest, you deserve better.

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This Toolkit is packed with EVERYTHING you need to transform your space and mindset so you can finally breathe easier and feel in control again.

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When you grab your I'm Finally Organized Toolkit before Friday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m., you'll unlock a collection of complimentary bonuses...because getting organized should feel rewarding.

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GON Member Bonus!

As a valued member of my GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter, you get exclusive bonuses, PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones. This month's featured bonus is my...

15-Minute Decluttering Projects Printable

Need a quick win? This free printable gives you 15 super-specific decluttering projects you can finish in just 15 minutes each. Print it out, hang it where you’ll see it, and check off one task every day or two. You’ll feel lighter, more organized, and instantly accomplished, one small space at a time.

Plus, my 2025 Monthly Organizing Calendar is always available for you to access...jump in this month and start tackling those organizing tasks with ease.

To access these free resources... click here

Results of Last Month's Web Poll: What clutter zone is the most frustrating for you? Access the results of this poll including a bunch of GON reader comments.

This Month's Web Poll: What phobias do you have? Vote in my GON Reader Poll on my home page

August Organizing Challenge: Summer Fitness Challenge: From morning stretches and desk workouts to yoga, HIIT, and hydration goals, these 15-minute daily fitness tasks keep you moving and motivated! Access here

August Monthly Checklist: My August 2025 Organizing Checklist features 31 fresh and actionable tasks to help you declutter surfaces, plan ahead, maintain outdoor areas, and embrace seasonal changes with ease.

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."

-- Orison Swett Marden

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comment, suggestion, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

How to Use This Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will find stories, ideas, inspiration, links and more to help you live a less stressful, more organized, more fulfilling life.

We encourage you to apply these ideas to your own life AND share them liberally with your family, friends, and fan base via email, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, other social media outlets, and in person, of course!

When you share, please mention my name and web site - Maria Gracia - GetOrganizedNow.com as the source.

Thank you for helping to spread the gift of organizing far and wide!

-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown Wisconsin 53094
USA

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