Oct 2 - Do You Really Have a Black Cloud Over Your Head?

Oct 2 - Do You Really Have a Black Cloud Over Your Head? - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Thu, 10/02/25

Updated: Sat, 10/04/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

October 2, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Choose one system you can put in place to avoid a morning mishap tomorrow. Maybe it’s putting your keys by the door, laying out your clothes, or making sure there’s extra printer paper in the drawer.

Do You Really Have a Black Cloud Over Your Head?

Have you ever noticed that when you’re in a rush, that’s when everything seems to go wrong? The printer runs out of paper, your computer takes forever to start, your keys go missing, or the dishwasher decides to start leaking...all when you have the least amount of time to deal with it.

It can feel like a black cloud is hovering over your head, just waiting for the chance to dump a little more chaos into your day.

The truth? You don’t have bad luck. It’s just that stress and time pressure make small mishaps seem a lot bigger. When you’re frazzled, every hiccup feels like a conspiracy.

What You Can Do to Stress Less

1. Build in a buffer. Give yourself extra time when you can. If you need to leave by 8:00, aim to be ready by 7:40. That 20-minute cushion means you’ll still be on track even if you hit a snag.

2. Set yourself up for success. Keep spare printer paper nearby, make a habit of placing your keys in the same spot every night, and check your bag or TO DO list before bed. Simple systems keep the most common issues from ever popping up.

3. Pause before reacting. When something breaks or goes wrong, stop for a breath. Ask yourself, What’s the very next step? Sometimes it’s grabbing a towel, sometimes it’s rebooting the computer. Tackling one step at a time keeps overwhelm in check.

4. Use humor as a pressure valve. It’s amazing how much lighter a situation feels if you can laugh at it. Saying, “Well, of course the dishwasher picked today to act up” reframes the problem as a temporary glitch rather than a personal attack from the universe.

5. Keep perspective. Most hiccups are small in the grand scheme. Remind yourself that this annoying moment won’t last forever.

On another note...
Reading, for me, is more than words on a page. It's an experience...an adventure. The right accessories make it even better, whether you’re curled up at home on a cozy chair, traveling, or sneaking in a chapter before bed. Here are ten of my favorite Amazon finds that every book lover will adore.
Goodies for People Who Love to Read

The Day Charlie Brown Walked Into Our Lives

On October 2, 1950, the very first Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz appeared in seven U.S. newspapers. At the time, it featured just three characters: Charlie Brown, Shermy (a character that eventually faded into the background), and Patty.

Snoopy joined soon after, and over the years, the gang grew to include beloved personalities like Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Woodstock, and many more.

What made Peanuts unique was its blend of childlike innocence and thoughtful wisdom. Schulz had a gift for tackling big themes, loneliness, resilience, hope, and friendship, through the voices of kids and a lovable beagle.

He captured both the humor and heartache of everyday life, often in just four simple panels.

By the time the strip ended in 2000, on the very day after Schulz passed away, Peanuts had run for nearly 50 years, appeared in over 2,600 newspapers worldwide, and reached millions of readers every day.

By the way, the name Peanuts itself came from the “peanut gallery” on The Howdy Doody Show...a title Schulz never really liked but accepted at the insistence of the syndicate.

Despite his misgivings about the name, the comic went on to inspire TV specials, books, stage productions, and a whole cultural universe of merchandise, with Snoopy perched atop his doghouse becoming one of the most recognizable images in the world.

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"Thank you for your wonderful ideas. Short and effective."
-- Xuan Huynh

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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...

Fall Decluttering Checklist

As the air turns crisp and leaves drift down, it’s time to clear away what no longer serves you and create space for what truly matters. My Fall Decluttering Checklist gives you 25 simple, doable ideas to refresh every corner of your home. Each tip is designed to help you let go with ease and make your home feel more open, inviting, and ready for the season ahead.

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.

I'm getting ready to publish my October features in a few days. Get these September features before they disappear...

October 2025 Monthly Organizing Checklist: October is the perfect month to cozy up your home while staying productive and clutter-free. As the weather cools and seasonal festivities approach, it’s easy for small messes and unfinished tasks to pile up. My October 2025 Organizing Checklist is filled with quick, actionable ideas to keep your home neat, your days organized, and your energy flowing

Web Poll: When do you feel most motivated to organize? Vote on my home page. Results will be shared in a few weeks in this newsletter

Results of Last Month's Web Poll: What phobias do you have? Access the results of this poll including a bunch of GON reader comments

"What's the good of living if you don't try a few things?"
-- Charles M. Schulz

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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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-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
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