With kids returning to school, schedules changing, pumpkins appearing, and extracurricular activities in full swing, fall prompts us to begin again. As the leaves change colors, it’s a natural cue to rethink the possibilities for better balance, organization, and joy. What motivates you to change? For the Fall Organizing Giveaway, I’ve put together some great organizing goodies and tips to help you shift your focus towards new thoughts and actions.

Fall Organizing Tips

• Inspiration: What helps you move into the “possibility thinking” mode? Are you inspired by reading, listening to music, enjoying nature, or writing? Figure out what works for you. Dreaming is essential. Carve out time to develop new ways of thinking or doing.
• Relaxation: Let’s face it. Life is just busy. Take time to stop doing and allow yourself to just be, even if it’s for 15 minutes. Are you a coffee or tea drinker? Sip slowly. Take in the aroma, the warmth, and the pleasure of slowing down enough to appreciate the moments of calm.
• Organization: It’s amazing how a little organization can go a long way in reducing daily stress. Start small. Identify one area that needs your attention. Maybe it’s your handbag, utensil drawer, or incoming papers. Sort, release, and set-up a system that makes the area flow better. One small stress removed will yield amazing benefits.

The Fall Organizing Giveaway starts on October 2nd.  One winner will be selected on October 8th.  It includes fun stuff that will organize, inspire, relax and delight you.  Continue reading for description and contest rules. The winner will receive everything described below:

• Starbucks $25 gift card
• Oh, So Organized! coffee mug
• Purse Perfector handbag organizer
• Working Mom Survival Guide by Suzanne Riss & Teresa Palagano
• Sticky Tab Markers by Semikolon
• Starbucks Caramel Brule Chocolate Bites
• Autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels

Contest Rules:

• Comment on this blog post below with your favorite thing about fall, organizing challenge, or tip
• 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 me 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 new "Organize for Fall" 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 fall, inspiration, organizing and more. Looking forward to hearing from you. Wishing you all good luck!

One of the beautiful things we can express as human beings is gratitude. Incorporating it regularly in your day can help you keep perspective and balance. Especially now as Thanksgiving approaches, gratitude thoughts permeate my mind.

There is so much to be thankful for. As we know, life is far from perfect. We are far from perfect. However, in the midst of life’s busyness, pausing to acknowledge the positive enhances our joy and brings us peace. There is much to be grateful for. Take time to reflect and appreciate the wonders that surround you. Luckily, there is an endless supply once you put “gratitude” on your radar. It’s impossible to capture everything. I’d like to share a few from my list.

Linda’s List - I Am Grateful For:

• Loved ones here and gone. I love and appreciate my family and friends. Some are in my daily life, others are at a distance, and many have passed away. No matter where they are, they are always with me. I am grateful for them and don’t hold back from letting them know how I feel.

• Sun and rain. On sunny days, my entire being feels lighter, colors are more vibrant, I feel less bothered by small annoyances, and I can see more clearly. When the rain comes, I love those days when I can stay inside with a good book, hot tea, and a warm, soft blanket.

• Working and non-working parts. When we're young and when we age, our bodies aren't always able to do as we wish. We either lack the skills or have lost them. There's the time in between when are bodies work as we expect. It’s so easy to take our health for granted. I appreciate all that is working right now.

• Sweet and sour. Nourishment is essential to our existence. I am thankful for the basics, but also am passionate about certain tastes, textures and scents. The short list includes coffee ice cream, almost anything chocolate, black licorice jelly beans, concord grapes, all berries, tomato with mozzarella and basil, grilled salmon, and lemons. I am grateful that my senses are working and allow me to fully appreciate these foods.

• Activity and quiet. Our house was always a bevy of activity as we raised our daughters. We encouraged them to invite friends over and loved having a full house. They are now both away at college. We have become empty nesters and it’s much quieter. Soon the house will be lively again for the holiday. I am grateful for both the energy of a full house and the quiet of less.

• Organization and chaos. As a professional organizer, you might think I only like extreme order. In fact, I am grateful for both order and chaos. I appreciate a certain amount of organization with room for a dash of chaos. I’m grateful for the dichotomy and flow between the two.

• Status quo and change. I recognize that change is essential for growth. I go through periods where I’m actively stirring the pot. But there are also times where I am able to just let things simmer and be. Both have value.

• Structured and unstructured days.  More of my days have a plan to them then not. I function well with a schedule. To balance that, I also need days that let me just “float.” I can wake up when my body is ready, without a special agenda, and do whatever I feel like. I can do or not do. I need and am grateful for both types of days.

• Old and new friends. There’s a folk song we used to sing when I was a kid that went, “Make new friends and keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” There’s nothing quite like our “old” friends where we share a history. They knew us when. We share a lifetime of bonds and experiences. With new friends, we are in the discovery mode. The ties are in the making.  I am thankful for all of my relationships.

What are you feeling grateful about right now? Take a gratitude break. There’s space below in the comment area to share your thoughts.