Sep 1 - When Life Throws Curveballs - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Mon, 09/01/25

Updated: Tue, 09/02/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

September 1, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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When life feels heavy or overwhelming, give yourself permission to stop, even for just five minutes. Sit with a cup of tea, close your eyes, or simply breathe.

That tiny pause can reset your perspective and remind you that not everything has to be done right now. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest.

When Life Throws Curveballs

Every now and then, life brings major challenges, and over the past few weeks, it’s been my family’s turn. My husband needed a major emergency surgery. I’ll spare you the details, but we would both be so grateful for your thoughts and prayers.

The good news is that he made it through the surgery, and while recovery will be slow...likely months before he can “get back at it”...he is healing, little by little, every day.

With this going on, I’ve naturally fallen behind on both home and work projects. And honestly? That’s just the way it is sometimes. Life throws a curveball, and you simply can’t keep all the plates spinning.

This is where grace comes in. I’m giving myself grace right now. And if you’ve faced something similar, I hope you’ll give it to yourself too. We can’t do it all, all the time.

Recovery, whether it’s for the person healing or the person supporting them, takes time, patience, and rest. The loving support of family and friends makes all the difference, and we’ve been so blessed to receive it.

So if you’re in a season of challenge, please remember: it’s okay to let a few things slide. What matters most is healing, love, and the steady belief that brighter days are ahead.

And when the time is right, your projects will still be there, waiting for you to pick them back up.

On another note...

We all have those people in our lives who are nearly impossible to shop for...they seem to have everything! In light of this, I’ve curated a list of practical, thoughtful, and delightfully unexpected gift ideas they’re sure to love. Visit:

Gifts for the Person That Has Everything

What it Really Means to Give Yourself Grace

“Giving yourself grace” is a phrase we often hear, but what does it truly mean? At its heart, it’s about loosening the grip of perfection and allowing yourself to be human. It means recognizing that you will have days when you’re tired, distracted, or simply unable to do everything you hoped. Instead of responding with harsh self-criticism, grace invites you to respond with compassion.

Grace looks like letting the dishes sit in the sink because rest is more important. It looks like saying no to a commitment when your energy is already stretched thin. It even looks like starting again tomorrow without beating yourself up for today.

In short, grace is permission to be imperfect, while still knowing you are worthy and doing your best in the circumstances you’ve been given.

When we extend grace to ourselves, we not only soften our own burdens, but we also become more understanding toward others. After all, everyone has struggles hidden beneath the surface.

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Here are the topics in the September Issue...

The September Pause
The Quiet Bridge Between Two Busy Seasons
A reflective look at why September invites us to reset, with easy ways to breathe, recalibrate, and ease into fall

5 Energy Boost Foods for Fall
Simple, Nourishing Foods to Power You Through Shorter Days
Five everyday bites (hello, avocado toast and apples!) that steady your energy without the sugar crash

The Gift of Empty Spaces
Clearing Clutter to Make Room for What Matters
How a few intentionally empty surfaces can lower stress and prepare your home and mind for the busier days ahead

The Harvest Moon
History, Folklore, and Celebrating September’s Brightest Night
Where the name comes from, what it has symbolized for centuries, and simple ways to enjoy its golden glow

Ready, Set, Fall!
Simple Tasks to Prep Your Home for Fall/Winter
A climate-inclusive checklist to tidy outdoors, refresh indoors, and handle quick safety/energy tune-ups

Sweater Weather Science
Why That First Cool Breeze Feels So Different
A playful peek at the temperature, humidity, and sensory shifts that make autumn air feel irresistibly “crisp”

The Healing Vase
How a Simple Gift Carries Hope from One Heart to Another...you don't want to miss this one!
A tender story about a traveling vase, today’s bouquet, and passing along comfort when someone needs it most

Your September Menu Plan
2 Weeks of Easy Seasonal Meal Ideas
Flexible, family-friendly dinner ideas for warm days and cozy nights

Healthy Apple Crisp
A Wholesome Fall Treat
Honeycrisp apples, oat-nut topping, and cinnamon bake into a lighter dessert that still tastes like pure autumn

Cozy Sunday Afternoons
How to Make Sunday Afternoons in Autumn Feel Special
Simple ways to soak up the cozy vibe that makes this season so memorable

Kicking Through a Pile of Leaves
Autumn’s Crunchiest Delight
A mini-essay on the sound of fall and that satisfying crunch that makes every step a smile

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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.

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September Monthly Checklist: My new September 2025 monthly checklist features 30 fresh, actionable tasks to help you manage household clutter, fine-tune schedules, refresh spaces, and embrace seasonal changes with intention

"Life is measured in love and positive contributions and moments of grace."
-- Carly Fiorina

I'd love to hear from you.

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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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Get Organized Now!
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