What's Going on with Me?

This would be me.

But here we are, halfway through January, and not a single item has been crossed off my list.

Here’s what I had planned:

• Clean up the house, including the overly packed basement.
• Do a deep purge of every closet, especially my overflowing dressing room.
• Organize recipes and photos.
• Write and blog more.
• Cook healthy meals.
• Finish decorating my space.
• Work out more—and push myself harder.

I know it sounds like a lot, but by now, I feel like I should have checked off at least one item.

But instead, I find myself stuck in inertia. I run around in circles and accomplish nothing. 

Why is it so hard to get started? Why can’t I build the momentum I so badly want? The drive is there—but where’s the follow-through?

Sound familiar? Sometimes, no matter how many goals we set, we find ourselves frozen in place, staring at the list rather than crossing anything off. If you're feeling the same way, you're not alone. It’s a struggle we all face at times.

So, what can we do about it? I’ve been reflecting on a few strategies that might help break the cycle:

1. Break It Down

Instead of focusing on the long list, I’m taking one small step at a time. For example, today I’m tackling one dresser drawer—just one. I know that once I start, I’ll feel the momentum to keep going.

2. Use the 5-Minute Rule

I’m committing to working on a task for just five minutes. The hardest part is often starting, and once I’m in motion, I can keep going.

3. Prioritize Micro Goals

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the big picture, I’m setting micro goals. Rather than saying "clean the basement," I’ll say, "Organize the shelf in the basement." Small, achievable tasks that can get me feeling productive!

4. Create a Routine

One of the keys to overcoming inertia is creating a daily routine. I’m going to set aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes, to focus on one thing—whether it’s writing or organizing a closet. It’s all about consistency. And by the way, I'm going to plug this into my calendar!

5. Accountability Partner

I hope to entice a friend to be my accountability partner and I can do the same for her.  This way we can share our goals and check in with each other. Sometimes knowing that someone else is aware of your progress can make all the difference.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

I’ll be celebrating the small victories along the way—whether it's clearing off a counter or finishing a single blog post. Recognizing progress, no matter how minor, can give me the motivation to keep going.

I know that this year is still young, and even though I haven’t checked off everything just yet, I’m giving myself grace. Tackling one thing at a time is all part of the process. I’m focused on moving forward, not perfection.

If you're also feeling stuck, remember: It’s okay to start small. It’s okay to take breaks. What matters is making consistent progress, even if it’s just a tiny step at a time. 

Life is short. Don't sweat the small stuff. Now if I can only practice what I preach!

Happy New Year!

xx Susan

Getting Organized is Life Changing!

My kitchen and bathroom were a mess.  A serious mess.  As a style and beauty influencer, I receive boxes of products and clothes every day. It may sound like a good problem to have, but these items pile up quickly and create clutter.  On the other hand, I have no excuse for the kitchen. I mean, who needs 5 ladles and 22 mugs?

Our kitchen pantry closet is small. And for a good-sized home, we lack cabinet space.  I thought I had a decent system going on, but it never lasted more than five seconds. With deep closet shelves, food was hard to access so I ended up buying the same items over and over again because I couldn't see what was in the back of the closet. This resulted in a ton of expired food constantly being tossed in the trash. What a waste of money!

I can't believe that I'm showing you this. Please don't judge!

I have to admit that I was kind of embarrassed at how out of control my closets and cabinets were. I had way too much of everything, including clutter! Why did I let this happen? What was I thinking?  But Shannon and the team were so kind and gentle, reassuring me the proper storage solutions would solve the problems. And they were right.

But there are only two of us in the household!

They arrived right on time as promised, and got to work immediately.  Shannon tackled the pantry closet, while her helper (and sister!) Jaime sorted food.  They brought all types of storage containers and labeled everything (including expiration dates)! While this was going on, another "Nester" was in the bathroom creating a system for my 5 million bottles of shampoo and skincare products.  

They even masked up for me since I'm going through chemo!

I felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, it was kind of weird having strangers handle all of our "stuff". But on the other hand, I felt a sense of relief that I was finally doing something about the clutter. Taking action feels GREAT!

After two days or working their tails off, the cabinets and closets (kitchen and bathroom) were done. Richard and I were blown away at what this dynamic team had accomplished.  Gone was my anxiety, and it was replaced by a euphoric state of happiness and order.  Everything had a place and was clearly labeled.  We now had a coffee station (something I didn't think we had room for) and my cabinets and drawers looked SO good and made SO much sense!  Plus I no longer have to worry that when I open the pantry closet, 10 boxes of pasta will hit me on the head (not kidding...our closet was dangerous!).  

I can find EVERYTHING in my bathroom closet now!

My kitchen pantry closet looks AMAZING. Everything has a home and I can easily access what I need!

We have a coffee station!

I love the clearly labeled bins and lazy Susans!

I had forgotten about some of these beautiful glasses, but now I can see them!

Funny (not so funny) story.  Two weeks after the job was finished, my guest-room closet rack came crashing down. Yes, I probably had a few too many clothes hung on the rod, BUT our builder never used the right screws or put them into studs.  SHANNON, HELP! Yep, I called her back and she's now working on a better design. Plus, while she's at it, I'm having her redo my office and coat closet too.  

My dream is to have Shannon organize my entire house. Having a place for everything within reach at our fingertips is the BEST.  Why didn't I do this sooner?

Nested Organization and Design also provides interior design and concierge services too.  Shannon and her team work mainly in the New England area, but they're SO good that people from all over the country hire them (they travel).  

 How does Shannon do it all and so well? She's the organizing goddess! 

Tips from Shannon:

1. Start an organizing project by sorting all the items in that space. Separating what you're keeping from what you're donating/selling/tossing is always the messiest step, but a necessary one.
2. A closet should be no more than 80-85% full to leave room for items you've overlooked elsewhere in the house and for new purchases.
3. You don't need three garlic presses, four potato mashers and/or five juicers!
4. If you have cooking utensils/gadgets that you don't use often, don't keep them in a drawer with those that you do use often, as they are cluttering up prime space.
5. We all hate it, but the truth is, kids grow so quickly. It's best to go through kids' clothes, toys and accessories every 1-1.5 months to remove what is no longer in use.
6. Keep formal, special and infrequently worn shoes in containers to prevent them from getting dusty, fading, drying out (leather) or ruined (by pets & kids!). These should be kept on high shelves or in auxiliary storage space - NOT in a prime spot.
7. When packing for a trip, use packing cubes, as they make a world of difference! Packing cubes keep like items together making it much easier to find what you need. (They are a must when packing kids for camp!)
8. Keep ALL holiday stuff - including linens, platters and decor - grouped together and stowed away for that specific holiday. Don't let it take up prime space for everyday items.
9. Unless photo albums and keepsakes are looked at frequently, they should be stored in a dry space in a specialized tote with a seal to prevent air, water, insects and critters from getting in.
10. Aside from formalwear, if you haven't worn something in 10+ months, it shouldn't take up prime space.
11. Complete one area at a time. Often, organizing one space leads into the next and so on. If you tackle many areas at once, it quickly becomes overwhelming and the urge to walk away becomes irresistible.
12. Call Shannon @ Nested Organization & Design today! 978.239.6800

P.S. One of the funniest sayings that I repeatedly laugh at is "we keep a potato masher in a shallow drawer because sometimes it's fun to struggle opening the drawer".

Yep, Shannon has a wonderful sense of humor, but this is "kind of" true!

Find out more about Nested Organization and Design here.

Contact Shannon at info@nestedod.com 978.239.6800