May 4 - Organizing Like a Detective - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Sun, 05/04/25

Updated: Mon, 05/05/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

May 4, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Label the top, and each side, of one bin in your garage or basement that currently has no identification. You’ll thank yourself the next time you're searching for camping gear or light bulbs.

Organizing Like a Detective

Find and solve the "mystery clutter" spots—areas where stuff accumulates for no obvious reason.
Ever walk into a room and spot a pile of…something…that wasn’t there the day before? Maybe it’s a stack of papers on the kitchen counter, a cluster of random items at the bottom of the stairs, or a growing collection of who-knows-what on the dining table.

You didn’t mean for it to happen—but somehow, it did. That’s what I call mystery clutter.

Think of yourself as a detective on the case. Your mission? To find out why these clutter hotspots exist and what keeps drawing items to that same exact spot.

Clues might include convenience (“It’s the first flat surface I see when I walk in the door”), habit (“I always empty my pockets here”), or lack of a better system (“I don’t know where else to put this stuff”).

Once you've cracked the case, it's time to solve it.

Try these quick fixes:

Place a decorative tray or bin to corral essentials and limit overflow.

Add a small basket for mail, keys, or odds and ends—with a plan to empty it daily.

Create better homes for items that tend to wander: pens in a drawer, receipts in a receipt holder, chargers in one labeled container.

Mystery clutter is sneaky, but once you uncover the cause, it’s much easier to stop it from piling up again. So grab your magnifying glass and get sleuthing—you’re about to bring order to the chaos.

On another note...
Packing for a trip doesn’t have to be stressful! My Travel Smarter: Essentials for Every Trip list includes must-have travel essentials that will keep you organized, comfortable, and ready for any adventure!

May the Fourth Be With You

It began as a pun—“May the Fourth Be With You”—but this playful spin on “May the Force Be With You” has turned May 4th into a full-blown celebration of the Star Wars universe.

The first known use of the phrase came from a newspaper ad in 1979 congratulating Margaret Thatcher on her election. Star Wars fans loved it, and from there, an unofficial holiday was born.

Today, people around the world honor the day with everything from costume contests to themed snacks. Kids and adults alike revisit their favorite movies, build LEGO starships, and debate whether Han really shot first.

Whether you're a devoted fan or just enjoy the camaraderie of shared fandoms, May 4th is a great day to embrace a little adventure—and maybe hum the Imperial March while you organize your closet.

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!

Say GOODBYE to Your CLUTTER
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Everyone deals with clutter to some extent. Maybe you have just a little, or maybe you’re drowning in it. Most people fall somewhere in between.

But here’s the thing—clutter doesn’t stay the same. It grows. Small piles turn into overwhelming messes before you even realize what’s happening.

And clutter is sneaky. It’s not just the overflowing closets, the file drawer bursting at the seams, or the stacks of boxes in the basement. Clutter shows up in all areas of life, including:

Physical Clutter – The stuff piling up in your home

Paper Clutter – Bills, mail, and endless paperwork

Digital Clutter – Overloaded inboxes, disorganized files, and too many apps

Emotional Clutter – Stress, overwhelm, and mental fatigue

Once clutter takes hold, it can wreak havoc on your space, time, and peace of mind.

But there’s good news—you don’t have to live with it.

The secret of truly conquering clutter begins with a proven system that works. And I have just the thing to help you clear the chaos and reclaim your space.

Click Here for
Goodbye Clutter

P.S. Don't miss out...Spring Special

Order Goodbye Clutter before FRIDAY, May 9th and receive $144 in COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES!

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...

GON Summer Bucket List

This isn’t your average bucket list — it’s a collection of simple pleasures, joyful adventures, and relaxing escapes. Whether you’re sipping iced coffee on the porch, watching a fiery sunset, or taking a spontaneous road trip, these 25 hand-picked ideas will help you slow down, soak up the sunshine, and savor everything the season has to offer.

Also, if you don't already have it, my 2025 Monthly Organizing Calendar is still available. Jump in today and start tackling those organizing tasks.

To access these free resources, click here

May Organizing Challenge: Above and Beyond: Elevate Your Mindset: These challenges are simple upgrades to your everyday routine that will help you feel more present, organized and fulfilled. Take the challenge here

May 2025 Monthly Organizing Checklist: My new May 2025 Monthly Organizing Checklist is here. Simplify your routines and get organized before summer fun begins. These daily 10-minute tasks will help you get organized, manage your time, and freshen up your home and your life. Click here

Results of Last Month's Web Poll: April is National Gardening Month: How's your green thumb? Access the results of this poll including a bunch of GON reader comments.

New Web Poll: How many books do you read in a typical month? Vote in my GON Reader Poll on my home page and let us know.

"We have to stop and be humble enough to understand that there is something called mystery."
-- Paulo Coelho

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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