As we are about to wrap up year two of the pandemic, many words describe 2021. Some common words and phrases for 2021, including “vaxxed, variant, hybrid work, The Great Resignation, and languishing,” appeared in a recent Grammarly article. Uncertainty flavored the year, along with many ups and downs. Two words I frequently heard or witnessed were exhaustion and resilience.

Despite the challenges, we continued forward as we navigated the unknown, found untapped inner strength, extended compassion and grace to ourselves and others, and searched for balance and meaning in a continually changing landscape. 

At this reflective time of year, I appreciate revisiting the past before moving ahead to the future. As part of my review, I selected twelve highlights, one from each month, of the most valuable and loved organizing concepts of 2021. I hope you discover a seed idea that will bring inspiration and balance to your New Year. 

Where will you focus on creating the organization and balance you desire? Which people and projects will receive your time, energy, and attention? 

12 Most Valuable and Loved Organizing Ideas of the Year

1. Fresh Start - How to Embrace a Fresh Start After Feeling Upset by Your Break in Continuity

“What lesson can I learn?”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

2. Embrace Change - My Surprising Find in a Fortune Cookie is the Amazing Secret About Change

“The greatest lever for change is awareness.”

— Fortune Cookie

3. Next Step - What Does Your Next Step Look Like During a Virtual Organizing Session?

“Taking that next step builds momentum.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

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4. Letting Go - Ways to Let Go and Grieve When an Enormous Loss Happened

“In our letting go, the stories about those we love live on.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

5. Clutter - What Reasons Motivate Every Client to Easily Let Go of Clutter?

“Decluttering is a verb, which involves action.
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— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

6. Time Management - Why It Absolutely Matters Where Your Time Gets Focused

“Your life is purchased by where you spend your attention.”

— James Clear

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7. Motivation - How to Improve Motivation By One Perspective Shift From Time to ‘Energy’ Management

“Pay attention to what depletes or energizes you.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

8. Enlisting Help - 7 Best Organizing Self-Help Discoveries Made With My New Simple Plan

“It’s liberating to live with less.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

9. Mindfulness - 5 Positive Ways to Easily Practice Mindful Organizing in Your Life

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

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

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10. Possibilities - Are You Curious What’s Possible When You Hire a Professional Organizer?

“When we enlist support for our challenges, it’s incredible what becomes possible.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

11. Wonderfully Human - How to Use Your Top Strengths and Flourish With These Simple Idea

“We know that ‘flourishing’ … is a state of mind where life feels good.”

— Misty Pratt

12. Life Balance - 12 Amazing Ways to Mix Balance Into Your Life By Doing Less

“Finding balance, even when you’re overwhelmed, is possible.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

My deepest gratitude goes to you for being an integral part of this vibrant community. We’ve had an incredible year of conversations and sharing. You bring learning, growth, support, and inspiration to every exchange. Thank you for regularly returning to participate and share 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.

As humans, there is something so enticing about becoming our best self and flourishing. We can accomplish this when we live using our top strengths. Do you know what yours are? If not, take the VIA Survey of Character Strengths to discover them. A few weeks ago, I attended ICD’s virtual conference and wrote about Dr. Ryan Niemiec’s inspiring session where he talked about this topic.

Some of the things I enjoy about blogging are writing and sharing ideas. However, my favorite part is reading and responding to your comments. I find it fascinating which concepts resonate with you, the information you share, and the emerging ideas. In the ICD conference post, there was a comment by my friend and colleague, Stacey Agin Murray, that I loved. She said in response to the discussion about living your strengths, “No one should ask a fish to climb a tree.”

Her idea is so clear. A fish can be their fantastic self in the water, but not so much if they had to scale a tree. It begs the question. What activities make you feel like your best self? Can you engage in doing more of those? Can you stop doing those things that drain you?

“No one should ask a fish to climb a tree.”

— Stacey Agin Murray

In Mindful magazine, I came across a related idea in Misty Pratt’s article, “How We Flourish.” The word flourish caught my attention because it’s such an uplifting word and way of being. Misty wrote,

“We know that ‘flourishing’ (defined as a combination of physical, emotional, and mental health) is a state of mind where life feels good. Flourishing is not about perfection or being happy all the time, but a recognition that when we have purpose, meaning, and connection in our lives, getting out of bed every morning is easier.”

“We know that ‘flourishing’ . . . is a state of mind where life feels good.”

— Misty Pratt

These two concepts- using your strengths and flourishing are interconnected. They are full of hope and speak to what’s possible for you.

As we begin a new month and are about to finish the year, how can you adjust how you live, what you’re doing, and who you’re engaging with to create your best life? What are your thoughts about strengths and flourishing? I look forward to hearing your ideas. I invite you to join the conversation.