When we think about how we spend our time, we often associate feelings with describing them further. For instance, we might think about being with the family at the beach as a happy time or a time when a loved one died as heart-wrenching. However, time is not only a container that includes appointments, events, and milestones, but it also is flavored by the emotions that arise. Lately, I am more aware of the connection between what happens at a given period and the feelings that accompany them.

Why does this matter? By making the connection, we can better understand why we are motivated to engage in certain activities yet procrastinate with others. This can help us to get unstuck or extend some grace when we need it most. Our emotions are clues to our inner experience. We might not always have the words to describe what we’re feeling. Instead, we can notice sensations in the body like tightness in the shoulders, a clenched jaw, or butterflies in the belly. These sensations indicate how you are feeling at that moment in time. 

4 Lessons I Learned About Time and Feelings

Feeling Late

You’re right. Late isn’t an emotion. But that uncomfortable feeling I experience with being late is. Due to a series of events and happenings, my blog post is going live today, a Wednesday, instead of the typical Sunday. I could have skipped this week, but I won’t be able to post next week. So, I decided to break from my pattern and just go for it, even though it’s late. But you know what? I’m doing it, but it feels strange. I prefer being punctual and consistent.

My lesson learned:  Stretch outside of my comfort zone. While I regularly post on the same day each week, it’s OK to make an occasional exception to my own rule. That’s being flexible.

Feeling Anxious

Life is opening up again after a year of lockdowns, restrictions, and closings. This is a positive development on all fronts. However, the speed at which things are reopening has created some discomfort. Some of us are ready to do everything at full throttle, while others (like me) feel more cautious. I’m experiencing so many firsts all at once. They include having the annual doctor visits I missed last year, staying in a hotel, eating in a restaurant, being mask-less in public, and entertaining people IRL (in real life!) These were accompanied by trepidation and anxiety.

My lesson learned: Doing something for the first time or the first time in a long time can feel scary and anxiety-producing. However, I survived, and the next time will be so much easier.

“Time is not only a container that includes appointments, events, and milestones, but it also is flavored by the emotions that arise.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

Feeling Relaxed

My husband gifted me a kayaking date as my Mother’s Day present. I love kayaking, and he knows it! What a wonderful feeling to be on the Croton River with the bright sun, warm air, and soothing water. While there is paddling involved, I also spent time in the kayak just floating. It was during the non-paddling time that I felt especially relaxed. I wasn’t trying to get anywhere or exert physical energy. I simply glided gently along the water.

My lesson learned: Even during exertion, you can find relaxation. It’s there in the stillness and the pause.

Feeling Excited

Other than taking a walk around the house or block, many of us stayed put last year- no traveling, overnights, or day trips. We kept close to home with a few exceptions. While I’m not ready to get on an airplane or use public transportation, I am looking forward to some car trips. This summer, we scheduled some vacation time. It’s with excited anticipation that I’ll have time with family and friends at beaches, rivers, mountains, and cities.

I’m looking forward to exploring new and familiar places, face-to-face conversations, and all of the hugs.

My lesson learned: There is gratitude in waiting. Missing provides an opening to be thankful for the people and places I so sorely missed.

Have you noticed a connection between your time and emotions? Do any of these resonate with you, or have you discovered other patterns? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

Clutter can creep into our lives and consume valuable energy. It can show up physically as paper piles on desks or kitchen counters, clothing flowing out of closets and drawers, or bins full of toys the kids no longer play with. There is also mind clutter, which can consume your thoughts. Physical clutter and mind clutter are closely connected. Have you ever noticed how challenging it is to think, be productive, or relax when your physical environment feels cluttered?

In the same way that I begin writing with a blank page, I engage more successfully in daily life when my space is clear with few distractions. For example, when I’m about to cook, I prefer the kitchen to be clean with uncluttered surfaces and an empty sink. When I work on a project like writing or developing a workshop, I focus better when my desk is clear of paper scraps and other projects. At night, I sleep better, getting into a made bed with clean sheets. Being in a clear, uncluttered place can be energizing or relaxing. 

However, when our mind clutter is dominating the internal conversation, what can you do? There are five effective strategies I regularly use for calming mind clutter. Some of these simultaneously address physical clutter.

5 Useful Strategies to Calm Your Mind Clutter

1. Get Out!

Yes. You guessed it. To clear the mind, getting outside for a walk is highly effective. Even a small dose of fresh air, be it five, ten, or sixty minutes, can do wonders for the cluttered mind. It’s even more beneficial if you can walk in nature. The fragrances of spring are intoxicating- lilacs and Lily of the Valley scent the air.

2. Free Write

Grab a pen and your favorite journal or pad of paper, then download the swirl of thoughts onto paper. Don’t worry about editing or organizing your thoughts in any way. Just allow them to flow. You might be surprised what comes out. Writing is an excellent way to unclutter the mind. 

“Writing is an excellent way to unclutter the mind.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

3. Just Meditate
Practicing mindfulness meditation is a gentle way to work with a full mind. The idea isn’t to empty your mind during the practice. The quiet allows a place to let thoughts float by without judging or engaging in the content. You can also experiment with focusing on the breath while meditating. This will calm the mind and switch you into the rest and digest mode.

4. Shred It!

Shredding paper is so cathartic. As you release and shred physical piles and files, the mind unclutters too. The physical act of releasing enables the mind to also let go. Shredding is one way to unclutter. Any type of letting go of physical objects that have overstayed their welcome work wonders in releasing your mind clutter.

5. Take Care

Having jumbled thoughts can be connected to sleeping too few hours, not eating nutritiously, or ignoring self-care. When was the last time you took care of yourself? What did that look like? It’s not selfish to take a bubble bath or extra long shower, get a massage or pedicure, or sleep for eight hours. Relaxation time is essential to reducing mind clutter.

When your mind is cluttered, what strategy is most effective for you? I would love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

Do you ever feel stressed, overwhelmed or out of balance? If so, you’re not alone. Feeling out of balance is a human experience, no matter where you’re from. Would you like to learn strategies for restoring your balance? I was curious about the ways my colleagues’ from around the world handled their balance challenges, so I reached out to this amazing group – Stephanie Deakin, Nacho Eguiarte, Mayumi Takahara, Ingrid Jansen, Janet Barclay, Sue West, Hilde Verjidk, Juliet Landau-Pope and Ellen Faye. I asked them, “How do you bring balance back into your life?”  Their responses are personal and inspiring. My deepest gratitude goes to each of them for sharing their wisdom with us.

How do you bring balance back into your life? . . .

Scheduling for Balance

“It sounds counter-intuitive, but when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed I schedule ‘balance’ time for myself. I write it in my day planner: two hours for sitting on the couch reading; a half-hour phone call to a friend; a walk by the lake. These are the things that help keep me balanced, but they’re also the first to be dropped when I’m feeling too busy! Honoring those times means letting go of any fretting about what’s not getting done or what the next deadline is, and giving my attention to what I’m doing in the moment.”

Stephanie Deakin, President POC – Organizer, Speaker & Trainer - Canada

Breathing for Balance

“Every time I feel overwhelmed because of the lack of balance in my life, I make a stop, and breathe deeply. After that I use positive self-talk about how capable I am to manage whatever life brings upon me. At that point, with self-confidence being boosted, I start thinking possibilities to overcome troubles and restore balance. Having balance to me is counterweighting troubles with solutions, stress with relaxation, and chaos with order.”

Nacho Eguiarte– Professional Organizer, Architect & Blogger – Mexico

Pampering for Balance

"I have a list of the ‘Pamper Myself List of Activities’ which I created to recover from being stressed or overwhelmed. There are a wide range of activities on the list: for instance, being completely absorbed in novels or favorite TV series or shifting my mood by listening to live music of my favorite artists."

Mayumi Takahara, President JALO – Organizer & Designer – Japan

Singing for Balance

“I sing! Just over 4 years ago I found Rockchoir. It is a UK based contemporary choir with 20,000 members in over 300 choirs. I'm a member of Bexleyheath Rockchoir and I rehearse every Wednesday evening. We sing rock, pop and gospel songs and my favourite song is "Someone Like You" from Adele. My choir has travelled to Switserland, we sang at the O2 Arena in London and we recorded three songs at the world famous Abbey Road Studios. Singing makes me forget about everything and it's a great way to make new friends. I would recommend it to everyone!”

Ingrid Jansen, President APDO – Professional Declutterer and Organiser - England

Walking Away for Balance

“When my workload is unusually heavy and everything feels urgent, although it seems counterintuitive, the best thing for me to do is walk away from it – get out, go shopping or have lunch with a friend. This allows me to clear my mind so that when I return to work, I’m better able to focus and actually get things done. I’d never thought of it as restoring balance, but that’s truly what it is – adding some activities to the fun side of the scale to bring the work side back up where it needs to be.”

Janet Barclay– Web Designer & Content Marketing Specialist - Canada

Questioning for Balance

“’Ebb and flow,’ a client's words to describe balance, stayed with me. Like ocean water as it cycles through its tides. Learning my sense of balance is a continuous process as each chapter brings different changes, transitions and challenges. To restore, I do this one thing: I consciously ask myself: What am I not doing that I know works? Self-compassion? Standing up for myself? Morning solitude, three meals, enough sleep and outdoor time? At home enough or too much travel or socializing? Enough creativity happening? Using my plan? Enough reading/learning time?”

Susan Fay West, CPO-CD®, COC®, President-Elect ICD – Organizer & Coach – United States

Planning for Balance

“As an entrepreneur I must admit it is tempting to cram my time with appointments. Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia however, I learned the hard way that there is a price to pay for that attitude. So I plan a free day in my calendar each week (apart from the weekends!) and I have a maximum of four days for work and study. I also plan free weeks during the year. It helps me set my priorities straight, I make healthier choices for my business and myself and I get to spend more time with my family. A win-win situation!”

Hilde Verdijk, CPO-CD®, MRPO – Professional Organizer, Author & Blogger – The Netherlands

Meditating for Balance

“Whether there’s too much stuff in your home or in your head, physical and emotional clutter can be overwhelming. So whether you’re stressed by the amount of stuff in your space or in your schedule, the best thing to do can be…. nothing. Stop. Close your eyes. Inhale slowly. Then exhale. Take a break from trying to figure it all out, if only for a few moments. This kind of meditative exercise not only helps to alleviate anxiety; it can also help you to regain clarity and to focus on what matters most.”

Juliet Landau-Pope, CPCC – Declutter Coach & Study Skills Expert – England

Retreating for Balance

“My ultimate cure is to get away. At least twice a year I visit Kripalu, a yoga and wellness center in Western Massachusetts. I go by myself, lock up my phone and computer, and take time to renew. When I’m home my self-care includes yoga, getting enough sleep, scheduling time with friends and family, and ruthlessly prioritizing my work and volunteer responsibilities. But that just keeps my head above water. Going away, focusing on me, talking only when I want to, walking in the woods, and staring into space is truly what brings balance back into my life.”

Ellen Faye, CPO®, COC®, President NAPO – Productivity and Organizing Coach – United States

Finding your right balance is possible. With the creative ideas that my colleagues shared, you now have some new strategies to experiment with. Whether you choose to get away, pamper yourself, breathe, plan or sing, shifting from overwhelm to a more balanced state is within reach. For me, when my balance is off, I concentrate on bringing back the parts I’ve been missing. That can include walking by the river, going to the movies with my husband, having coffee with a friend, trying something new, or having a “no agenda” day.

Which ideas resonate with you? How do you bring balance back into your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

What motivates you to act? What gets you from point A to point B? I’ve got my list. You’ve got yours. I’ll share mine. Come and share yours.

Linda’s Top 10 Motivators

1. Crossing It Off

Oh, yes! Give me a piece of paper and a red pen. Just knowing that I get to steer the pen through the “to do,” can be motivation in itself to get it done.

2. Anticipating Treat

Knowing that a “sweet treat” break (like ice cream or chocolate) is on the other side can motivate me to finish.

3. Upcoming Deadline

Using a timer, a calendar, or an appointment that imposes a fixed timeframe for completion can work motivational wonders.

4. Promising Others

Following through on my commitments and staying true to my word motivates me to action.

5. Promising Self

Accountability works when I’m accountable not just to others but also to myself. Setting goals motivates me to move forward.

6. Conjuring Up Fun

When fun is involved in the doing, it draws me in and motivates me to action.

7. Reducing Pain

If not doing is causing me stress or pain, it motivates me to move forward.

8. Harnessing Nice Days

I wake up more motivated and productive on clear, sun-filled days. I like to take advantage of that when possible.

9. Calling It Quits

There’s point of no return when productivity declines. It’s like pushing a wet noodle. I’m too tired, too stressed, and too too. It’s time to stop and relax so that I can become motivation-ready once again.

10. Cheering You On

I can experience a motivation surge when I’m close but not quite done with a project or task. The “You can do it!” cheer plays over and over in my head until I reach the finish line.

Do any of these motivators work for you? Do you have a different list? Come join the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts.