When you think of compassion and ease, what sensations do you feel in your body? What images come to mind? What stories or messages do your thoughts reveal?

Now, think about change. Are you experiencing sensations, images, and thoughts that feel quite different from those associated with compassion and ease?

No one has the same experience, and yours will likely differ from mine. For me, thoughts of compassion and ease bring calm, care, and gentleness. My breath feels steady and slow. My mind feels clear. I feel more grounded, present, and better able to navigate in the moment.

When I think about change, my initial reaction is to brace. I can feel my shoulders tense, my jaw clench, and a funny sensation in my stomach. Not all change feels that way. Sometimes, positive anticipation and excitement are present. But rarely with change is my first thought or feeling calm or ease-filled.

What becomes possible when you can meet change with compassion and ease?

Meet Change More Gently

Last week, I wrote about the Tiny Shifts Experience I’ve been participating in, led by Dr. Elisha Goldstein. In one of his prompts, he guided us to “Allow a little more ease” throughout the day.

Before starting the Tiny Shifts program, I had been considering “ease” as my guiding principle, my North Star for 2026. When Elisha encouraged us to “Allow a little more ease,” it confirmed what I was already thinking.

This week, I tweaked the message. My focus for 2026 will be “Allow ease.” I will meet each day, including the challenges, joys, tasks, commitments, and changes I seek, and those thrust upon me, with more compassion and ease.

Engage in Strategies That Encourage Ease

When I notice I’m getting stressed, I will lean on these two strategies.

Strategy 1: Embody Ease with the Breath

This one is so simple. I’ve already used it half a dozen times recently, and it’s incredibly effective. It takes less than a minute.

To Embody Ease:

• Pause what you’re doing.

• Gently close your eyes or shift your gaze downwards.

• Thinking silently, pair these two words while you breathe.

• Inhale > Allow.

• Exhale > Ease.

• Repeat the sequence one or more times until your nervous system calms.

Strategy 2: Ask One Simple Question

You can ask this question on its own, before, or after using the breathing strategy. Listen to what arises and then focus on making a small shift.

Ask this:

Where can I allow more ease right now?

The query will help you identify where your tension or stress lies. How can you change your experience in the moment and lean into more ease? Is there a physical place in your body you can soften? Is there an unhelpful thought loop that needs to be released or noticed? Where is ease possible for you right now?

“Where can I allow more ease right now?”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Can You Shift How You Approach Change?

Change can be exciting or stressful. By integrating strategies that foster compassion and ease, you can move forward with greater grounding and calm. What is your relationship to change? How could creating more ease alter your relationship with change? Which ideas resonate with you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, or stressed? Do you want to embrace change this year, yet feel stuck? I’m here to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Embracing change and getting organized are possible, especially with support.

The start of a new year can feel hopeful. It’s a chance to try new things, set your goals, adopt healthier habits, and lean into the fresh-start energy the new year brings.

Unlike the end of the year, when you might have been working furiously to complete those last few projects or tasks, January feels different. It’s like a blank journal. There are no entries yet, only possibilities. The story has time to unfold and be written.

Here are some questions to consider as you write your story:

• What will your pages include?

• Do you foresee challenges?

• Are you picturing successes?

• What are you looking forward to?

• What do you want to invite in?  

• What do you want to let go of?

• What projects, plans, travel, or gatherings will be included?

• Will your year bring growth, stability, change, or something else?

Fresh Starts

I’m still working through my year-long planning process, which has evolved over time. Some years it has been more involved than others. Last year, my plan was almost non-existent. I was under a tight deadline from the end of December into January. The project completion overlapped with the time I typically use to review and plan. By the time I came up for air, I opted to forgo the ‘planning gymnastics’ I usually do and simply let go. Instead of intensive reviewing and future-thinking, I let the days flow.

This year, however, I returned to reviewing and planning because I missed doing it. I’m taking note of the more casual process from last year and layering it over this one. I don’t want to make the planning process burdensome or too elaborate, as it has felt in the past.

I’m gifting myself time to review and prepare at a non-pressured pace. The process involves several tasks, which include:

• Review Last Year’s Calendar – This section is complete. I noted workshops given, major projects, day trips and vacations, gatherings hosted, conferences and meetings, learning experiences, volunteer activities, and time with family, friends, and clients.

  What I observed: There was a good balance between work, play, and volunteering, alone and people time, and home and away time.

• Revisit Previous Planning Tools – Already completed. I reviewed my goals and planning materials from past years. It was fun to see what information I captured, whether it was helpful, what goals I set, and which goals were relevant to bring forward. One thing I definitely want for this year is to simplify my process.

  What I observed: There is value in reviewing and capturing those observations in a visual format. It’s also useful to change things up so the process doesn’t feel stale.

• Look at iPhone Photos – With a few projects I worked on at the end of last year, I already did a quick pass through the photo library. However, I want to take a longer look so I can “feel” and understand the year visually.

  What I observed: I love taking photos, as evidenced by the volume of images and videos I have taken. These images capture the sights and sounds of nature, people, places, and events. They also feature saturated color, light, shadow, and many close-up details.

• Read Journal – Reread last year’s entries to identify patterns, significant events, lessons learned, challenges, successes, and the general mood or feeling for the year.

• Three Things Reflection – Fill out the questions adapted from The Compass Journal. This is one of the tools I’ve used for years and didn’t do last year. I missed it, so I’m working through it again this year. I’m partly done, but I want to read my journal first to help me complete this exercise.
  
  

• Select Word or Motto of the Year – This is another exercise I let go of last year. I opted not to choose a word and settled on a motto only. I liked the 2024 motto, “You got this,” so much that I repeated it for 2025. However, for 2026, I want something new. I compiled a list of potential words and motto options. Nothing is quite right yet, so I’ll let those simmer a while longer before I commit. I’m still uncertain whether I’ll choose a word and a motto, or just one.

“Lean into the fresh-start energy the new year brings.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Young Blooms

Recently, I received a lovely gift—a jar with a hyacinth bulb in water. My friend told me it would thrive indoors as long as I gave it sun and kept it watered. Weeks passed, and finally the milky-white blooms began to open.

It felt quite magical. One day, they were invisible, and the next, they were in full view. Since then, I’ve been enjoying their perfumey fragrance and the unfolding of more blooms.

What a beautiful analogy for this new year. Tend to your garden. Water it. Give it the nourishment it needs. Your blooms will arrive, bringing wonder, joy, and growth.

Welcome Perspectives

One value of embracing a clean slate is the openness it brings. Instead of superimposing your familiar thought patterns, habits, or conventions on the clutter, you have an opportunity to see things in a new way. The vastness gives us space for a different perspective.

Especially if you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, having space to see things in a new way is helpful. You can sort things out on your own or ask a trusted source for help.

Several weeks ago, Todd Henry posed this question, which I thought could be helpful for you. He asked,

“What problem are you wrestling with solo that would benefit from outside input or perspective this week?”

Design the year you envision. And if you’re stuck, reach out for help. You don’t have to go this alone.

What Will Your New Year Be Like?

There are many ways to make the most of the new year. I shared a few ways to craft your year. Do any of these resonate with you? What is your process for designing your year? Are you doing anything differently this year?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, or stressed? Would you like to make changes this year? I’m here to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized and making changes are possible, especially with support.

This is a wonderful time to reflect on the past twelve months before the new year begins. In 2025, we had emotional, enriching, and deep conversations on the blog.

We walked together, shared tumultuous times, made exciting discoveries, and navigated life balance. In our free-flowing exchanges, insights, new perspectives, and hope emerged.

Meaningful Conversations

Our conversations about life balance, change, clutter, letting go, time management, motivation, organizing, hope, and more brought comfort, connection, learning, and joy.

Thank you for being part of this community. You inspire me to show up, write, think, and engage.

Deepest Gratitude

I am profoundly grateful for your thoughtful words and generous sharing. Based on your comments this year, I curated twelve of my favorite insights from you. Thank you, Diane Quintana, Ellen Delap, Hazel Thornton, Janet Barclay, Jill Katz, Jonda Beattie, Julie Bestry, Kim Tremblay, Melissa Gratias, Sabrina Quairoli, Seana Turner, and Yota Schneider.

You are consistent voices and participants who bring our conversations to life. I am grateful to you and to everyone who reads the blog, contributes to our discussions, or shares the posts. You infuse this community with hope, humor, curiosity, perspective, and learning.

Enjoy the year in review, one quote at a time!

12 Inspiring Quotes from Our Conversations This Year That Will Make You Feel Hopeful

1. Fresh Start | 3 Ways to Take a Slow Exhale & Refocus Energy for a New Fresh Start

“Giving yourself permission to downshift, reset, and refresh is the best way to pave the way for the next project.”

— Ellen Delap

2. Embrace Change | One Clarifying Question to Help Embrace Change in Your Life

“Change can be hard. Focusing on one small thing at a time can help.”

— Kim Tremblay

3. Next Step | How to More Easily Approach the Next Thing by Not Imposing Toxic Preconditions

“I was just in the middle of talking myself out of doing something because of uncertainty. Okay, time for a deep breath and some rational thinking.”

— Melissa Gratias

4. Letting Go | One Fun and Informative Letting Go Exploration with Organizing Colleagues

“People are more likely to let go of items if they know they are going to a good place.”

— Jill Katz

5. Clutter | 7 Inspiring Resources to Quickly Motivate You to Declutter Now

“Focusing only on the next step keeps me from becoming overwhelmed by decluttering and other large projects.”

— Janet Barclay

6. Time Management | How a Helpful Productivity Reframe Makes More Time for Fun

“As for productivity, no, it isn’t a dirty word, but neither is setting it aside for a while. I get a lot of satisfaction from completing my to-do list and from giving myself to the activities that soothe my spirit.”

— Yota Schneider

7. Motivation | 7 Powerful Motivation Quotes to Make You Feel Inspired When You Need a Boost

“Waiting to feel motivated never works for me. It’s more like I start, and then the motivation catches up.”

— Seana Turner

8. Enlisting Help | Here Are 5 Most Interesting and Best Finding Help Discoveries – v51

“I have my people to call for different types of help – the ones who just let me vent, the ones who want to help me brainstorm and plan, and the ones who are on my doorstep almost immediately. ”

— Jonda Beattie

9. Virtual Organizing | 5 Focused Ways a Virtual Professional Organizer Can Help During a Move

“Virtual organizers can pull out the essential steps and manage them, helping the client feel more in control of their time during this stressful moment.”

— Sabrina Quairoli

10. Possibilities | What Becomes Immediately Achievable When You Get Out of Your Own Way?

“I love reframing! One of my favorites is this: Instead of thinking ‘I’m anxious,’ or nervous to do something, think ‘I’m excited!’ to do it.”

— Hazel Thornton

11. Wonderfully Human | 5 Life Lessons I Learned About Patience and Promising Progress

“Tolerating discomfort, in particular, means that waiting is so much easier when you can focus on the fact that any uncomfortable situation is temporary. ”

— Julie Bestry

12. Life Balance | How to Nurture Joy, Reduce Anxiety, and Bring Balance to the Holidays

“I love the idea of embracing fun! It’s easy to get bogged down by the minutiae and to forget to look outside our to-do list and notice things around us.”

— Diane N. Quintana

Past Reflections and Future Possibilities

What was most significant to you this year? Which quote resonates most? What do you want to focus on in the New Year? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Let’s make 2026 a fabulous year! Do you want support in creating a better balance, letting go of what no longer serves you, or getting more organized? I’m ready to help. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward - Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized is possible, especially with support.

I wish you a happy, healthy, organized, and joy-filled New Year!

As this year comes to an end, I love reflecting on the past before planning for the future. In this part of my year-end review, I chose my favorite organizing concepts, one from each month of 2025, to share with you.

I hope you discover or rediscover a seed idea that inspires and brings balance to your New Year.

Where do you want more organization and balance? Which people and projects will receive your time, energy, and attention?

If you’re ready for a fresh start, to embrace change, take your next step, let go, declutter, enlist help, and more, this is for you.

12 Favorite Organizing Ideas of 2025

1. Fresh Start – How to Simply Reset Now for a Fantastic Fresh Start

“My reset buttons are just little things.”

— Glennon Doyle

2. Embrace Change – How to Encourage Change More From a Joy, Not Dread Perspective

“Encourage change through a lens of positive expectation.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

3. Next Step – Three Surprising Lessons to Find Next in a Quiet and Curious

“…quietly do the next most necessary thing.”

— Carl Jung

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4. Let Go – Five Favorite Quotes About the Value of Letting Go

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

— Hans Hoffman

5. Clutter – One Effective Strategy to Easily Calm Your Mind Clutter

“Commitment is the powerhouse of the mind decluttering strategy.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

6. Time Management – 3 Inspiring Time Questions That Will Help You Make Thoughtful Choices

“What will my future-self thank me for doing now?”

— Stephanie Sarkis, PhD

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7. Motivation – Feeling Stuck? Start Here: Small Organizing Steps That Empower Motivation

“The smallest effort can spark the motivation you’ve been missing.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

8. Enlist Help – How a Professional Organizer Gets Organized: Creative Life Tips That Really Help

“It’s a journey to discover what helps you feel, be, and stay organized.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

9. Virtual Organizing – 3 Helpful Things I Learned That Will Benefit My Virtual Organizing Clients

“Bring curiosity to a dilemma.”

— Cameron Gott, PCC

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10. Possibilities – What Becomes Immediately Achievable When You Get Out of Your Own Way?

“The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the ‘buts’ you use today.”

— Les Brown

11. Wonderfully Human – 5 Life Lessons I Learned About Patience and Promising Progress

“I can transform temporary chaos into an opportunity to reimagine.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

12. Life Balance – 5 Simple Practices to Joyfully Reduce Stress and Restore Balance Now

“When the mind is tense, so is the body. When the body is tense, so is the mind.”

— Meg Josephson, LCSW

Grateful for You

Thank you for being an essential part of this vibrant community. I am deeply grateful to you. We’ve had an incredible year of conversations and sharing. You bring learning, growth, support, and inspiration to every exchange. Thank you for participating and sharing the best of who you are.

What inspired you this year? Which organizing concept resonates most with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you want help decluttering, organizing, planning, or creating more balance? I’d love to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact Form

• Email me at linda@ohsorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized, finding balance, and experiencing more calm are possible, especially with support.