Hey friends!
You know that one spot on your kitchen counter?
The one that somehow becomes the drop zone for every random thing?
Mail, keys, your kid’s half-finished art project, receipts, hair ties (why??), that reusable bag you meant to bring back to the car…
No matter how many times you clear it, it creeps back like clockwork. And if you’re anything like me, that tiny pile can feel like a neon sign blinking:
“You’re failing.”
But let me tell you something loud and clear:
You’re not failing.
You’re overwhelmed.
And the best next step isn’t to push harder—it’s to pause.
There’s power in the pause.
Whether it’s the chaos of life, the dishes in the sink, the mental weight of your to-do list, or yes, that stubborn counter clutter—sometimes the most productive thing you can do isn’t to do more.
It’s to stop.
Breathe.
Take 10 minutes.
And just pause.
But not in a “give up” way. In a get curious way.
Ask yourself:
✨ What’s really frustrating me about this right now?
✨ What is within my control in this moment?
✨ What can I do right now—and what can I set up long term—to make this feel just a little better?
The truth is, overwhelm lies. It convinces us we have to fix it all and fix it right now. But that kind of pressure often keeps us stuck right where we are.
What if instead, we made peace with small steps?
What if “progress” looked like:
- 10 minutes to clear just the corner of that counter,
- or five minutes to jot down a list of the actual pain points so you can tackle them one at a time?
And hey—let’s talk science for a second.
Writer Kayla Sloan, in an article for Calendar.com, explains that slacking (or taking purposeful breaks) isn’t lazy—it’s essential. Pausing allows your brain and body to reset. It can spark creativity, boost your mood, prevent burnout, and even help you reconnect with your goals and relationships.
Yes, even doing nothing has benefits.
Let that sink in.
You don’t always need to do more.
Sometimes you just need less noise, more breath, and a few minutes to get re-centered.
Pause = Power.
When we pause, we interrupt the chaos spiral. We reset.
We listen to ourselves.
We make space for grace.
And that—that—is where real change begins.
So the next time you walk past the pile and feel that frustration bubble up, don’t just push through or pile more on top. Try this instead:
Pause.
Breathe.
Ask.
Shift.
Then take one small, doable action that moves you toward a space that feels calmer and more aligned.
Even if it’s just clearing that one corner.
Even if it’s just deciding, “I’ll figure this out tomorrow.”
That’s not procrastination.
That’s permission.
To pause. To reset. To reclaim your power—one moment at a time.
Feeling stuck in the clutter or the overwhelm—and not sure what small step to take first?
Let’s figure it out together.
✨ I help busy women like you create more clarity, calm, and control—in your home and in your head. Whether you’re dealing with the physical mess or the mental load, you don’t have to do it alone.
📩 Reach out here and let’s talk about what support would feel good for you:
👉 https://www.itspracticallyorganized.com/contact-me/
You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
You’re just one intentional pause away from something better.
I’d be honored to help you get there.
Stay tuned for next week’s POP Talk!
