Dec 16 - The Five Things Snapshot - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Tue, 12/16/25

Updated: Tue, 12/16/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

December 16, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

We respect your time.
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4:30 minutes to read.

Take a quick look at your stash of postage stamps today. If you’re running low, add a new booklet to your next errand list. Having stamps ready makes every bit of outgoing mail so much easier.

The Five Things Snapshot

Every now and then, I like to pause for just a moment and take a quick “snapshot” of what’s happening in my home...not a photo, but a gentle check-in.

Nothing complicated. Just five tiny observations that help me stay aware, stay grateful, and stay on top of the little things that make life smoother.

Here’s my Five Things Snapshot for today:

1. One thing I noticed:
My front entry rug had gathered some pine needles ...thank you, holiday greenery! It reminded me how these small things quietly pile up when I’m not looking.

2. One thing I loved:
How cozy the living room looked this morning with the softer winter light coming through the window. It felt like the house was giving me a warm little hug.

3. One thing I fixed:
A wobbly lamp on the end table. Two minutes, a small adjustment, and now it sits perfectly straight again.

4. One thing I tossed:
A handful of crumpled receipts stuffed in my purse from a recent shopping trip. Out they went.

5. One thing I set up:
A small basket near the door for outgoing holiday cards and packages. It already makes that area feel calmer and more intentional.

Your turn!
I’d love for you to do your own Five Things Snapshot today. It's a surprisingly refreshing reset for your eyes, your home, and your mood.

Hit “reply” and share yours with me...I’d truly enjoy reading what you noticed, loved, fixed, tossed, and set up.

P.S. Still Need Some Gift-Giving Ideas?
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the presents I’m wrapping up for family and friends this Christmas:

Gifts I'm Giving This Christmas

The Truth About “Just in Case”

We all have them...those little items we tuck away because maybe, someday, what if. A spare cord we can’t identify. An oddly sized lid. A decorative piece we don’t love but feel guilty parting with.

We hang on “just in case,” imagining a moment when the stars align and the item finally becomes useful. But here’s the comforting truth: studies show that less than 15% of those “just in case” items ever serve a future purpose.

That means more than 85% of the space they take up could be freed for things that genuinely support your life today. Instead of imagining what might happen someday, think about the peace and clarity you gain right now.

Letting go doesn’t close a door; it opens a little more room to breathe.

If something has been waiting for its moment for years, this is your gentle nudge: you’re allowed to release it. And who knows? You might just feel lighter the moment it leaves your hands.

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...

"Your November 29th issue came at exactly the right time for me. I’ve struggled with anxiety around clutter for years, and usually just avoid the spaces that make me feel overwhelmed. But your tiny steps actually helped me get started and stay calm while I did it."
-- Kristi S., Avalon, NJ

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.

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P.S. Don't miss out...Christmas Special!
Get Goodbye Clutter before FRIDAY, December 19th 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 brand new bonus is my...

2026 Monthly Organizing Calendar
Declutter, Organize, & Clean While Staying Motivated and Inspired!

To access my new calendar and ALL of my free bonuses, click here

New Web Poll:
What's the Best Smell of December?
With so many cozy scents filling the air this month, I thought it would be fun to see which one feels the most festive to you. What’s the best smell of December? Access the poll on my home page and cast your vote

New Monthly Organizing Challenges:
Holiday Photo
Each day, snap a daily holiday photo that captures the spirit of December...twinkling lights, cozy nights, family traditions, sweet treats, snowy scenes, or anything that warms your heart. By the end of the month, you’ll have a collection of memories you can look back on and cherish long after the season has passed. Access my Holiday Photo Challenge

NEW Monthly Organizing Checklist:
December 2025
Whether you’re hosting holiday gatherings, finishing shopping and wrapping, or planning for the new year, these small daily tasks will help keep your home tidy and your month peaceful and productive. Access my brand new December 2025 Organizing Checklist

Last Month's Web Poll Results:
When Do You Start Decorating for the Holidays?
The responses came in from every type of decorator, those who start early, those who wait until December, and everyone in between. It’s always fun to see how different households kick off the season. Click here to access the results

"Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day."

-- Dalai Lama

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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