May 18 - Savoring Sunshine While Staying on Task

May 18 - Savoring Sunshine While Staying on Task - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Sun, 05/18/25

Updated: Fri, 05/23/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

May 18, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

We respect your time.

This newsletter will take

4:23 minutes to read.

Label one mystery key—or test it in doors and toss it if it’s a leftover from years ago.

Savoring Sunshine While Staying on Task

I just love a warm, sunny day and I don't want to waste a minute of it inside when I could be enjoying it outside.

While I may not always have the luxury of spending the entire day outdoors (let’s face it—laundry still needs folding, email still need answering), I make it a point to schedule pockets of outdoor time throughout the day. Just a few intentional breaks make a world of difference.

Last week, for example, I took 20 glorious minutes in the middle of a busy workday to head outside, settle into a lounge chair, sip on a glass of peach iced tea, and flip through the latest issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. That simple moment of calm and sunshine made the whole day feel complete.

When I can, I even bring my work outside. I might respond to email on my tablet, brainstorm ideas for my newsletter with pen and paper in hand, or do a little research on my laptop at the patio table.

It feels so much more enjoyable when I’m soaking in the fresh air instead of staring at a screen inside the same four walls.

And meals? We eat outside as often as possible during these warmer months. Breakfast on the deck with birds chirping in the background? Lovely. Dinner at twilight while catching up on everyone's day? The best. It doesn't have to be fancy—grilled cheese and cut-up fruit feel special with the addition of sunshine and a breeze.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or restless, maybe your surroundings need a little shift. Try moving your TO DO list—or at least part of it—outside. Here are a few simple ways to do that:

1. Make a list of outdoor-friendly tasks. Reading through papers, listening to voicemail, paying bills on your phone, or folding laundry are all easy to do on a patio or deck.

2. Create an “outdoor office” kit. Keep a tote bag nearby with sunscreen, bug spray, lip balm, a water bottle, a pen, notepad, sunglasses, and earbuds so you're always ready to relocate your work.

3. Give yourself permission. You don’t need to “earn” time outside. A 10-minute break in the sun can leave you feeling refreshed and actually help you focus better when you return.

4. Eat outside at least once a day. Even a quick sandwich on the steps (or a healthy snack) can brighten your mood and give you a dose of vitamin D. I love this super-cute, portable lunch bag for this purpose!

We’re meant to enjoy the seasons. And while being productive is important, so is feeling connected to the world around us. A little sunshine on your shoulders and a cold drink in hand might be just the spark you need today.

On another note...

Check out this Adorable and Useful Collection of items I found! These charming picks add personality to your home while serving a real purpose.

The Goose and the Golden Egg: A Lesson in Patience

One of Aesop’s most enduring fables is “The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs.” In the story, a poor farmer and his wife discover that one of their geese lays a single golden egg each day.

At first, they’re overjoyed. But soon, their greed takes over, and they kill the goose, hoping to get all the gold inside at once—only to discover it’s just an ordinary bird inside. The source of their good fortune is gone forever.

This tale has been told for generations because its message is so timeless. How often do we push for quick fixes or instant results, forgetting that the slow-and-steady route is often the most sustainable?

Whether it’s saving money, organizing your home, or working toward a big goal, the daily “golden egg” may seem small, but over time, it builds something substantial.

It’s a gentle reminder: Don’t destroy something good in the rush for more. Instead, nurture what’s working. Protect your energy. Honor what’s already bringing value to your life—even if it’s not flashy or fast.

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 love this especially, (April 26 newsletter) "Don’t let your TO DO list grow mold."
-- Jean Aragon

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

I'm Finally Organized Toolkit

IIncludes Literally EVERYTHING You Need

to Get Organized Now
Plus, UNTIL FRIDAY, May 23rd, at 11:59 p.m.
You Get a Bunch of Amazing,
Complimentary Bonuses with it too!

To fast-forward to the I'm Finally Organized Toolkit immediately...

Click Here for more details about the...
I'm Finally Organized Toolkit

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

That’s why I’ve created the ultimate solution to help you tackle any organizing challenge once and for all. Introducing my I'm Finally Organized Toolkit—a complete system designed to help you get permanently and effortlessly organized.

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.

Unlock a Collection of Complimentary Bonuses!
When you grab your I'm Finally Organized Toolkit before Friday, May 23rd at 11:59 p.m., you'll unlock a collection of complimentary bonuses—because getting organized should feel rewarding.

Don't wait—start your organizing journey today!

Click Here for more details about the...
I'm Finally Organized Toolkit

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 2025 Monthly Organizing Checklist:

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

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

Results of Last Month's Web Poll: 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.

"Some sunshine is good for the soul, but I always make sure I wear a big hat."
-- Miranda Kerr

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!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:

CONTACT MARIA

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this newsletter, or any of my communications, I may receive compensation. Still, I only recommend what I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* Received this e-mail from a friend?

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Thinking of unsubscribing?

Please reconsider. If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal GON in Five Minutes! members each week.

You'll lose the tips, reader ideas, reader clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer you each month.

Plus, our ezine is designed to use Repetitive Reminders in every issue to help you make "small" organizing actions a permanent part of your mind -- and your life. You may not even realize how much more organized you are becoming -- automatically.

And you will accomplish all of that in less than 5 minutes a day!

Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown Wisconsin 53094
USA

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options