Recently, I enjoyed savoring a beautiful book, Forest Bathing Retreat – Find Wholeness in the Company of Trees by Hannah Fries. There are captivating images, poetry, and prompts that invite you to appreciate the forest’s gifts. As someone that often walks in the woods, the contents deeply resonated with me.

Three ideas captured my attention because they opened my thoughts to possibilities. I imagined some of these in an organizing context and how they could inspire a positive shift in thinking.

For many people, getting and staying organized is a challenge. It can be helpful to link a seemingly unrelated concept to that struggle. That connection can facilitate an “ah-ha” moment or possibility, which helps you get unstuck. I hope one of these ideas will be beneficial to you.

3 Little Lessons from the Forest That Inspire Organizing Possibilities

1. Mast Year

There have been many autumns where it seems as if our oak trees drop more acorns than usual. You can’t walk without stepping on them or hearing them ‘plunk’ as they hit the ground. At those times, I asked my husband if he noticed any difference. He assumed that we probably just didn’t remember how many acorns there were the previous fall and that it was “nuts as usual.”

As it turns out, once every two to five years, nut trees do produce massive amounts of nuts. These are called “mast years.” Fascinating that all the oaks, beeches, or hickories in a region have identical boom years. It’s a scientific mystery why mast years happen or why the trees in an area have the same cycle. There are plenty of nuts to feed the animals during a mast year, with enough remaining to grow new trees.

How does a mast year relate to organizing? Consider if this will be a mast year for you. Will you let go of the extraneous, as in the extra nuts? The abundance of nuts is like the stuff in your life. The trees share the nuts with animals and release the extras so they can thrive. Will you release the things you no longer need and donate or gift them to people who can use them? Is this your season to let go? Is this your time to create space for what matters so you can grow and thrive?

2. Phytoncides

Have you experienced the therapeutic effects of being in the woods? Studies have been done about shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing,” the Japanese tradition of spending time in the forest and experiencing it through your senses. This improves your immune system and a general sense of well-being.

The phenomenon is more than just psychological. There is a physical process where trees release phytoncides into the air, which are antimicrobial chemicals. They protect the trees against harmful insects and germs. The phytoncides are similar to essential oils or aromatherapy. Conjure up the wonderful scent of cedar, which is the result of a phytoncide. 

Breathing in phytoncides boosts your immune system by stimulating the white blood cells responsible for fighting off tumors and viruses.

How do phytoncides connect to organizing? Think about the restorative and immune-boosting properties of being in the woods. Now imagine your home. Is it a place that promotes calm? Do you feel supported and relaxed there? Or, are you stressed and overwhelmed by clutter or ineffective systems? What would it look and feel like if your home supported your well-being, like a forest does, phytoncides and all? You deserve to live in a healing, supportive, and clutter-free environment.

Do you need assistance? Learn more here about how I support my virtual organizing clients find the calm they deserve. I’m here to help.

“Create space for what matters and you will thrive.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

3. Frondescence

Say that one three times fast. This word was new to me. Hannah defines frondescence as “the time at which a plant or tree unfurls its leaves.” I love that there is a word for this unfolding and blossoming. This natural process is more often observed in spring and summer, although I’ve noticed unfurling in fall too. Have you ever watched a tight bud open slowly to reveal its magnificently colored blooms? Or, have you observed a tree that transforms its bare branches to leafy new growth? 

How does frondescence pertain to organizing? Think of frondescence as that awake, aware, and fully alive state of being. You feel fresh with wonder and possibilities. When we focus on what’s important, have systems that support us (including people and processes), and have cleared the unnecessary from our lives, we are free to unfurl. We become open, aware, and engaged.

Clutter can hold us back. It can deplete our mental and physical energy and erode our self-esteem. What do you need to unfurl, open up, and get organized? Possibilities are available to you.

When we shift our perspective, possibilities come into view. Which forest lessons resonate with you? Do any apply to an organizing challenge you or someone you know is experiencing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

Mindfulness is a quality of being that we can bring to all aspects of our lives. It encompasses an awareness of what we are doing or experiencing in the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. Most often, I write on my computer sitting inside at my desk. It’s a beautiful, quiet place where I’m surrounded by my favorite colors and images. Today, however, on this gorgeous fall day, I decided to write outside. My senses engaged as I listened to the leaves rustling in the breeze, felt the crisp air making goosebumps on my skin and delighted in the colorful leaves and bright red berries punctuating the dogwood trees. 

What does this have to do with mindful organizing? As I mentioned at the start, mindfulness is a quality we can bring to everything, including organizing, writing, or observing. So while mindful organizing doesn’t necessarily mean working outdoors, being aware of your environment can be one of the ways to practice mindful organizing. There are others, too, which I will share with you.

5 Ways to Practice Mindful Organizing

1. Why does it matter?

You might have watched episodes of The Home Edit, Marie Kondo’s Sparking Joy, or Hot Mess House. Maybe you saw an ad for The Container Store or California Closets. The priority of these shows and advertisements is getting and being organized. It’s essential to ask the question. Is getting organized your priority? Or, is getting organized your priority, but not right now? 

We can be easily influenced by other people’s priorities. And of course, if getting organized is important to you, it’s great to know! If not, lose the guilt and let that idea go. But if you want to get more organized, be mindful and clear about your why. Clarifying the why will determine your progress and success. 

2. How can I get organized when I’m so busy?

Like you, I’m in the only-have-24-hours-a-day club. Most of us have full lives, so how can we integrate the time needed to organize along with our other responsibilities? Introducing mindfulness into the mix is especially helpful here. Review your schedule to find “white space” which you can allocate to your organizing goals. Aim for mindful time and energy management.

I’ve been working on a long-term project to ‘live with less.’ I commit 15-60 minutes each day to do something. Some days I spend less time, like the day I released a single object (goodbye ironing board!), and other days I work for more than an hour. It’s a low-pressure approach that’s working well. This could be a manageable approach for those that are time-poor or don’t have a pressing deadline. Or, you might choose something else. Many of my virtual organizing clients work with me for an hour each week and work independently between sessions. They love the short, productive sessions, accountability, support, and check-ins. The point is you have many options. Your organizing path, pace, and the process will be unique to you.

3. How do I get started when I feel so overwhelmed?

When we’re overwhelmed, and in a stressful situation, our sympathetic nervous system engages. This is the “fight or flight” mode. Noticing that you’re overwhelmed means you already have an awareness of what you’re experiencing. Use this mindful state to shift from stress to calm. Try a simple breathing technique to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” mode, which will calm you down. From there, you’ll be in a better place to begin organizing. 

There are numerous breathing techniques available on apps like Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer. Below is a favorite, simple breathing exercise that works well. You can use it at any time.

4-7-8

Sit comfortably.

Close your eyes.

Breathe in slowly through your nose for the count of 4.

Hold your breath for the count of 7.

Blow out through your mouth like you’re blowing a balloon for the count of 8.

Repeat the sequence two more times.

From a place of relaxation and calm, you can mindfully choose where to start organizing. Will it be the area that bothers you the most, the stuff that will be least emotional to work on, or a space that can be edited in the 15 minutes you have available? There is no wrong place to begin. You’ve got this.

“Mindfulness is a quality of being that we can bring to all aspects of our lives.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

4. How do I organize a room that makes me want to run the other way?

Our environment profoundly affects how we feel. The underlying premise of getting organized is creating spaces and systems that feel good and support who we are and what we do. Organizing in a room that makes you viscerally uncomfortable can be de-motivating. The good news is that you are aware of your discomfort. That’s mindfulness at work.

How can you improve the situation before organizing? Consider your senses. Can you open a window to let in the fresh air, play upbeat or soothing music, bring in additional lighting, or burn scented candles? Take a moment to notice what makes you feel good in a space. Then bring some of those elements into the room you’re working. Another option is to carry a few items or boxes that need editing out of the problematic room to another more pleasing space. 

5. How can I move forward when I am stuck?

One of the first phases of getting organized is editing those things that no longer serve a purpose and have overstayed their welcome. It’s also the stage that we often get stuck. Letting go and determining what to release can be tricky. However, having a list of great questions can transform you from being stuck into a mindful editing expert. Helpful questions include:

• Do I need this?

• Do I like this? 

• Does it fit?

• Can I donate, trash, or recycle it?

Discover more questions to enhance the mindful editing process at How to Embrace Decluttering Magic for a Mindful Edit Now and Exercise Your Letting Go Muscles.

There are many ways to integrate mindfulness into the organizing process. I shared several with you. Which ones resonate with you? What else have you discovered? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.