Life encompasses an array of emotions. We experience joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, love, and many nuanced emotions. We can change our state of being by altering our actions, breath, or thoughts. Switching gears amid powerful emotions can be challenging. However, it’s possible. Bringing mindful awareness to what you’re feeling and doing is one path to get there. With that awareness, opportunities to experience more happiness will increase.

When you live in the land of ‘wishing,’ you’re focused on someday. While it’s essential to dream and future-think, this can detract from current experiences. You can miss opportunities for happiness and mindful moments if you’re too intent on what will be versus what is going on now.

I’m a quote collector. I have several favorites on my desk, including one from Walt Whitman. His thoughts beautifully weave a connection between happiness and mindfulness. He said, “Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.”

What does Whitman’s message encourage? It reminds me that happiness is always available to us. You don’t need to postpone joy for some future time when your project is complete, or goals are reached. It’s possible to experience happiness as part of your daily journey. Develop a mindful awareness of what is happening now and what senses you are noticing.

“Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.”

— Walt Whitman

Which recent experiences made you happy? Here are a few of mine:

• Seeing the bouquet of yellow-orange flowers in the purple vase

• Feeling the cooler fall air on my skin

• Smelling the pine-scented sachet in my dresser drawer

• Eating a delicious frozen dark chocolate dipped banana pop

• Hearing the sound of my husband’s voice on the other end of the phone

• Picking fresh basil from my mini-garden for my salad

• Walking along the Hudson River

• Folding the clean laundry

• Taking a yoga class

• Sweeping the front path

• Learning from Nest Advisor colleagues

• Watching the birds enjoy the birdbath in our backyard

• Engaging in deep conversations with my friends, family, clients, and colleagues

• Creating images and a promo video for my upcoming clutter workshop

Tiny happiness moments are accessible and can be enhanced when you pause to savor them. What are you noticing? How do mindfulness and happiness show up in your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

Many of my virtual organizing clients are overwhelmed by clutter, so they reach out for help. One of the common threads is the sense they need to postpone all fun and joy until they completely declutter. In truth, it’s challenging to work intensely without taking a break or replenishing your reserves. Having joy-infused counterbalances to organizing can bring renewed energy and focus.

Earlier this week, I had an Executive Mom Nest meeting where we talked about ways to prioritize joy. Transformational Coach Advisor Leesa Askew gave us a writing exercise to list 20 things that bring us joy. They didn’t have to be big things. Our lists mainly focused on simple stuff. Some of mine included:

• Taking that first sip of coffee in the morning 

• Walking in nature

• Walking with a friend

• Writing in my journal

• Being at the beach

• Sitting in the sun

• Taking photos

• Talking with our kids

• Smelling the lilacs

At the end of the meeting, we were encouraged to select one item from our joy list and commit to doing it that day. I knew right away which one to choose- smelling the lilacs! As their blooming season is short, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to take in their intoxicating scent.

While running errands, I had driven past this gorgeous blooming bush of lilacs several times. I thought, “Linda, stop the car, get out, and smell them.”  However, in the interest of getting things done, I kept driving. Or, I chose to postpone this simple moment of joy to do other things. Does that sound familiar? Have you ever decided not to have fun or lean into a special moment because you were preoccupied with something else?

After the prioritizing joy conversation, I made an intentional trip to the lilacs. When I arrived, I parked my car and walked down the block. I leaned over, placed my nose close to the lavender flowers, took a deep breath, and let the fragrance flood my senses. It was a happy moment.

“Prioritizing joy and decluttering aren’t mutually exclusive.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO

For you, joy might come in other forms. Instead of nature, lilacs, and sun, you might prefer a coffee date with a friend, curling up with a good book, or eating by candlelight. The possibilities abound. You can simultaneously prioritize decluttering, organizing, or any large project and engage in joyous moments. Prioritizing joy and decluttering aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, prioritizing regular encounters with delight will help you approach the challenging parts of your day with clarity and perspective.

Do you postpone fun and joy when you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter? What brings you joy? What overwhelms you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

Let's celebrate the Valentine’s Day love! The "Be Mine" Organizing Giveaway is here! I've put together some of my favorite goodies that are fun and fabulous. We're talking The Container Store $25 gift card, Tate's mouth watering Chocolate Chip Cookies, Anne Taintor's sticky notes and so much more!

During the three plus years I’ve been writing The Other Side of Organized blog, an amazing community of people including you, have come together to share ideas about change, clutter, organizing, letting go, life balance, and more. My deepest gratitude goes to you for your wonderful feedback, tweets, posts, reviews, and support. If you haven't already done so, I personally invite you to join in the conversation and of course, enter the contest.

The “Be Mine” Organizing Giveaway of goodies was selected to organize, inspire, relax, and delight you. It's worth over $100. The winner will receive everything described below:

• The Container Store $25 gift card
• “Had she really hit Reply to All?!?!?” Sticky Notes from Anne Taintor
• Oh, So Organized! coffee mug
• “get relaxed” Tea from The Republic of Tea
• Starbucks $25 gift card
• Tate’s Chocolate Chip cookies
• Hershey’s Kisses
• Tribeca bin from The Container Store
• “To Do” clothespin
• Autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels

I know you can't wait to win this handpicked selection of my favorites! The “Be Mine” Organizing Giveaway starts on February 5th. One winner will be picked on February 11th. There's no time like the present to enter. Keep reading and act now!

Contest Rules:

• Comment on this blog post below about what you love to organize, what you're passionate about, or your most treasured Valentine's Day tradition or memory.
• Comment about the giveaway on the Oh, So Organized! Facebook page.
• Re-tweet about this giveaway on Twitter and include @LindaSamuels when you do.
• Subscribe to The Other Side of Organized free monthly e-newsletter for continued inspiration and motivation.
• Follow Oh, So Organized! on Pinterest and let me know which of my boards you like best by commenting on this blog post.
• Comment on Pinterest about Oh, So Organized!’s “Organize for Winter” video.
• Do one or all of the above to enter. The more you do, the more times your name will be entered to win (up to 6 total entries!)

Come join the conversation about love, chocolate, organizing and more. What are your thoughts? I’m looking forward to hearing your “voice.” Happy Valentine’s Day! Wishing you love and luck!