This is the newest release (v44) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature, with my latest finds that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. These unique, inspiring, next step discoveries reflect this month’s blog theme.

You are a passionate, generous, and engaged group. I am deeply grateful for your ongoing presence, positive energy, and contributions to this community. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced.

What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? – 5 Best Next Step Discoveries

1. Interesting Read – Brave Next Step

Fear can color your choices and how you experience your life. In Todd Henry’s new work, The Brave Habit – A Guide to Courageous Leadership, his goal is “to inspire an epidemic of everyday brave action.” He says, “Bravery exists when we have a vision for a better possible future, and we trust that we have agency to help bring it about.” These ideas are further explored by examining what happens when low to high perceived agency is paired with optimistic or pessimistic visions.

When thinking about the next steps and the consequences of your actions, Todd says, “…almost every action you take, or choice you make has a lingering impact on the world around you, and over time, the impacts of those actions are exponential.”

Todd created The Brave Index to accompany the book. It’s a quick survey that helps you identify areas to develop your capacity for brave work and leadership. Based on your responses, you will receive a customized action plan. Todd says, “Don’t fear wrong action, fear inaction … One small step in the face of fear is enough to dispel its hold on you.”

2. Interesting Workshop – Clutter-Free Next Step

Does your next step include reducing clutter, overwhelm, and disorganization? One in four people struggle with clutter, which can affect their anxiety levels, relationships, sleep, and focus.

If you’re in the Westchester area near Croton on Hudson, New York, join me, Linda Samuels, Professional Organizer, for a live in-person workshop on How to Conquer Clutter. On Thursday, March 21st, from 5:30-7:30 pm Eastern, I’ll present at Design Lab’s monthly speaker series, sponsored by Denise Wenacur of DW Design & Décor. Come say “hi,” network with local professionals, enjoy yummy beverages and treats, and learn empowering clutter insights and solutions.

3. Interesting Article – Unplugged Next Step

March 1st was the Global Day of Unplugging. For 24 hours, we were encouraged to unplug, unwind, relax, and engage in activities that did not involve technology, electronics, or social media.

Did you miss it? That’s OK. You can create your own “unplugged” day or a part of a day at any time. Several of my colleagues wrote terrific articles about the benefits, history, and ideas for unplugging. Is stepping away from your devices next on your agenda? Find inspiration here:

• How to Unplug Your Home for the Ultimate Digital Detox by Teresa Siqueira

• Celebrate the Global Day of Unplugging by Julie Bestry

• How Unplugging Can Fuel Your Creativity and Forward Movement by Yota Schneider

“One small step in the face of fear is enough to dispel its hold on you.”

— Todd Henry

4. Interesting Resource – Beneficial Next Step

Spring is next. This is an excellent time for editing, letting go, and decluttering your closets and drawers. Do you have clothing and accessories you no longer need, want, or fit? If so, you can clear space and help others.

Consider donating your clothing to The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc. You can drop off things at 185 Kisco Avenue, Suite 101, Mount Kisco, New York. Items will be accepted in March and April, Monday through Friday, from 11 am to 4 pm. Donations are tax-deductible, and tax forms will be available.

The Benefit Shop Foundation will host a fashion pop-up sale on May 17th and May 18th from 10 am to 4 pm. Proceeds will go to various local community-based organizations that help people who live and work in the area.

5. Interesting Thought – Small Next Step

Figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming. When unsure what to do next or feeling the enormity of a project’s scope, next seems elusive. Instead, focus on making consistent, tiny movements forward.

Each small step lets you experience progress, boosts your motivation, and moves you closer to your goal. Make your next step small and manageable. Do and repeat. Action is your key to progress.

Do you have an interesting, next-step-related discovery? Which of these resonates with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and invite you to join the conversation.

If you need help deciding on your next step, I’m here to help. Please email me at linda@ohsorganized.com, call 914-271-5673, or schedule a Discovery Call. Figuring out next is doable, especially with support.

It can feel challenging to get motivated when you’re experiencing a transition and even when you’re not. Overwhelm, or exhaustion can take over. When it does, do you find it difficult to access your motivation for things like organizing your home, making plans, writing a blog post, reaching out for help, or handling routine tasks? Does that sound familiar? No one is motivated 100% of the time. But that can be problematic when it’s getting in the way of focusing on things you want and need to do.

There are many ways to get motivated, but for today, I’ll keep it simple with this one helpful secret so as not to add to your overwhelm. OK. It’s no longer a secret because I’m about to share it with you.

I came across a quote from writer Anne Lamott relevant to the how to get motivated challenge many of you encounter. Anne said . . .

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

— Anne Lamott

Let’s take a breath and digest this. When stressed, overwhelmed, and fuzzy-brained, instead of taking a beneficial break, we often do the opposite and continue pushing beyond depleted. How does that work for you?

I’ve noticed that while it seems like a good idea at the time to “just finish one more thing” or “push past my fatigue,” that’s a much more challenging way to go. When you overextend regularly, you can experience the law of diminishing returns, which works against being motivated, productive, and happy.

Instead, just stop. Yes. I said stop. As Anne suggests, things (and you) will work better when you unplug for even a few minutes.

What could this mean for you? What would a brief stop to unplug look like? It’s worth coming up with your own list of possibilities. You can pull it out of your back pocket when your motivation diminishes.

My unplugging to get motivated list includes:

• Dipping my toes in the Croton River

• Listening to the trickling water sounds in our birdbath fountain

• Watching the leaves ‘wave’ as the wind blows

• Taking a walk in the woods

• Sipping leisurely a glass of iced tea

• Lying down with my shoes off and eyes closed for 15 minutes

• Looking at the gorgeous colors of the beautiful summer blooms

• Stepping away from my tech tools

• Meditating

• Sweeping the front path

• Sitting outside while eating a slice of juicy watermelon

• Doing some slow, intentional breathing

After engaging in one of these nurturing, restorative activities for a brief time, I feel energized and ready for the next. And for a super dose of motivation, try grouping several of your preferred items back-to-back. Before writing this post, I walked in the woods, dipped my toes in the river, and meditated. Afterward, I was motivated, rested, and ready to write.

Are you struggling with getting motivated? What would unplugging for a few minutes or more do for you? What would that look like? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

You know what happens when you go, go, go? You get burned out, out, out. So I’d say that my motivation to slow down is pretty darn high right now because I’ve been on the go for a long stretch…a very long stretch.

Here’s the good news. I’ve planned some time off to slow my motor. Yet, as I write this in advance of our mini vacation so that it will post while I’m off the grid, I’m still in the go, go, go mode. As a matter of fact, after I write this post I need to write my pack list and pack. And before I wrote this I had a client that needed organizing help, an interview to finish writing, bills to pay, errands to run, emails to respond to, and a rental car to return. I bet this sounds all too familiar, right?

I won’t tell you what time it is, but let’s just say, it’s late. I’ve had a bit too much caffeine today. That in combination with the adrenaline pumping will give me enough energy to sprint some more. Then I can shift into low gear. I’m looking forward to changing my pace.

The point is that I am highly motivated to slow down. I’ve been pushing and doing and doing some more. It’s time for a break. It’s time to not do. It’s time to enjoy our family and suspend all agendas and to do lists.

I’m looking forward to our road trip to the mountains where we’ll meet up with our daughters. By the time you read this, I will have had days of unwinding, decompressing, relaxing, and unplugging. I might be unrecognizable. Let’s hope so. What will relaxed look and feel like?

How about you? Will you take off time this summer? What motivates you to change your pace? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.