Have you ever had the feeling that your life is a bit crazy as far as a hectic schedule goes? This is the kind of feeling I've had the past few weeks. I'm in the middle of coordinating a 'Choose Kind' Fun Run at my daughter's school for 800 students that involves sponsorships, about 60 volunteers, a T-shirt design contest, prizes for students, teachers and staff, and a partridge in a pear tree (smile) to ensure its success. This is in addition to all of my regular TO DOs with my organizing business, the fitness classes I teach, and ensuring my family and house aren't neglected for a month. The run is happening on May 8th and then my life goes back to plain-old-busy, instead of 'crazy-insane busy.'

Anyway, yesterday in the middle of all this chaos, I allowed myself to simply stop for an hour. I left everything behind, made myself a sandwich, some snacks, and an iced tea...all 'to go', got in my car, drove over to a lovely park that overlooks the Rock River in Watertown Wisconsin, parked, eased my seat back, and enjoyed the scenery, sunshine, serenity, and splashing ducks for a full hour. It was so lovely...and helped me recharge for the rest of my day.

Sometimes, especially on days when you're feeling over-extended, stopping to enjoy some pick-me-ups may be all you need to help you de-stress and ready to be productive afterwards. You might say, 'well, if I'm crazy busy, I don't have time to stop.' As it turns out, this is one of the best times to slow down and take a breath...before mistakes begin to occur or before you give yourself (or others) a nervous breakdown. Here are 25 delightful ideas.

1. Do something you're awesome at for at least an hour...bake cookies, work on a quilt, or play the piano.

2. Hang a bird feeder. Keep a bird book and journal nearby and identify the birds that visit.

3. Make sun tea: Add tea bags to cold water in a clear glass jar. Let it sit in the sun for several hours. Then add ice and a sprig of mint.

4. Take your lunch outside on the next sunny day. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring.

5. Place a vase of brightly colored tulips on your desk.

6. Wake up early and watch the sun rise.

7. Take the time to watch the ducks swimming in a pond at a nearby park.

8. Treat yourself to a crisp new novel you've been longing to read--a real book with paper pages you have to turn rather than swipe.

9. Make a playlist of songs you find uplifting. Go for a walk and enjoy it.

10. Walk your dog and let her take her time to sniff as much as she wants to. Don't have a dog? Borrow one!

11. Wear a shirt, sweater, or tie in a cheerful spring color to inspire yourself and those around you.

12. Call that special friend who always makes you feel good about yourself.

13. Trade your flannel sheets for white cotton ones dried in the sun.

14. Treat yourself to a beautiful, new mug for your morning coffee.

15. Watch a movie you loved as a child.

16. Add a lemon or lime slice to your water glass. It will make your 8 to 10 glasses more fun.

17. Play Candyland with a child. If you don't have a child, enjoy some adult coloring on your own.

18. Serve dinner at the dining room table, by candlelight, kids too.

19. Attend a painting party and discover your inner artist.

20. Take advantage of your morning commute to listen to a classic audio book, like Pride and Prejudice or The Great Gatsby.

21. Is it time for a new signature scent? Use testers at a department store to discover a fresh new fragrance.

22. Try a new recipe using a seasonal food, such as asparagus (stir-fried is delicious) or rhubarb.

23. Sign up for a yoga or tai chi class to take care of your body AND soul.

24. Disconnect from email and Facebook for a day, or even a few hours, and notice how it feels.

25. Whatever it is, if you can do it outdoors, the fresh air puts most folks in a more relaxed mood.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Clean Smart and Stop Wasting Your Time...

Plus Find Out How You Can Get
25 Cleaning Hacks for People Who Hate to Clean...Complimentary

At the end of the day or on the weekend, the last thing that you want to do is clean your house, right?! It's definitely not what I want to be doing. After all my hard work, I want my nights and weekends to myself...for family and fun stuff.

In light of this, I searched for and found a wonderful resource that helped me..and can help YOU get your house as clean as you want it to be, without taking up all of your time in the process.

The difference is that it helps you to clean smart instead of cleaning long and hard. You'll have the clean home you've always wanted, AND you'll have tons of time to enjoy life.

It's well worth your time to visit and have a peek. For details, visit:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-speedclean.html

P.S. When you obtain your copy of 'The Ultimate Guide of Speed Cleaning Secrets,' you'll also get my eBook...

25 Cleaning Hacks for People Who Hate to Clean

...complimentary.

BUT ONLY UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 7TH AT 11:59 P.M.

To get it, just email me at getorgnow@charter.net with your order number for your additional, and fabulous, eBook bonus. It will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

GON Monthly Checklist: May is here and it's a great time to get organized! Begin with our NEW May 2018 Organizing Checklist!
getorganizednow.com/organizing-checklist-may.html




GON Recipes: That Good Salad Recipe...it's that good!
getorganizednow.com/recipe-that-good-salad.html




GON Repurpose and Upcycle: I Use This To Store Towels in My Bathroom
getorganizednow.com/repurpose-upcycle-towel-storage.html




Dirty Little Secret: Here's how I clean my home's window tracks beautifully and with ease...

dirty-little-secret-window-tracks.html






Mini Challenges: May is the perfect month to clean AND get a workout at the same time. Here are 7 'get it done and get your exercise in' challenges for the week.
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-clean-workout.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

New Social Media Feature: 10 cleaning secrets that will help you get the job done fast getorganizednow.com



Theme of the Week: Our theme of the week is 'understand' and my home page quotes reflect that.
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Do your vegetables come from the store...or your garden? Guess how many people were growing their own vegetables in 1971 versus today. Then, find out how close you guessed by checking out our stats on our home page.
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Featured Web Poll: Our question is, 'Do you sing in the shower?' Take our web poll and let us know. It only takes a few seconds and you'll be able to see immediate up-to-the-minute results. getorganizednow.com

1) Bring someone a bunch of spring flowers. May Day, an ancient spring festival in the Northern Hemisphere, is an astronomical holiday celebrated on May 1st. According to National Public Radio, historically, as the month of April rolled to an end, people would begin gathering flowers, candies and other goodies to put in May baskets to hang on the doors of friends, neighbors and loved ones on May 1. They would also dance around a pole, holding long ribbons attached to the top of the pole. So, if there's a maypole in your town and you have the urge to dance, don't hold back. Alternately, or in addition, why not pick or buy a bunch of flowers and surprise someone this week?

2) Reschedule. Sometimes, life can get hectic and requires a bit of rescheduling. If you're having a hectic week, ease your TO DO list a bit and reschedule an errand or activity that can be easily changed without much consequence.

3) Do an outdoor chore. If the weather cooperates this week, my husband and I will be outside trimming some plants, sweeping the walkway, and rolling out our Sunsetter awning. Make a list of outdoor chores you want to accomplish this spring. Then, pick one and get it done this week.

'The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon...for each day to have a new and different sun.'
--Christopher McCandless




I'd love to hear from you.
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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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