Overwhelmed to Organized: A Mama’s Journey to Organized Bliss
Hi! I’m Ellen—a wife, a girl mama, and proud dog mama. I've always considered myself an organized person, but after my daughter was born, I found myself feeling incredibly overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed by motherhood…
Overwhelmed by my stuff…
Overwhelmed by my job…
Overwhelmed by my to-do list…
Just plain overwhelmed!
I felt defeated and knew I needed to make a change. I decided to start by reclaiming my home. I began decluttering during every spare moment I could find, making so many trips to Goodwill that the employees started to recognize me! I figured that if I could declutter and organize my house, I would feel less overwhelmed while working from home and caring for my newborn.
Through this process, I discovered two important lessons. First, I had to accept that I couldn’t change the layout of my house. I dreamt of having a playroom, a guest room, and a dedicated office, but that wasn’t my reality. I longed for a beautiful mudroom with a cute drop zone cubby for everyone—including the dogs—but it just wasn’t feasible. While I still have hopes for some changes, I’ve learned to appreciate the home we have. I focused on optimizing our existing space, and that mindset shift allowed me to stop making excuses for why I couldn’t get organized.
The second realization was the sheer volume of paper clutter we had! There were all types of papers— bills to be paid, forms that needed to be filled out, grocery lists, event invitations, and papers that needed to be filed—each contributing to the chaos on my kitchen counter. The papers that weren’t cluttering the counter were stuffed in random files with vague names, making it nearly impossible to locate important documents when I needed them. I had become so accustomed to paper clutter that I didn’t even know there was a better way. Thankfully, through my journey of reclaiming my space, I learned effective organization strategies that have transformed my life.
As I progressed in my organizing journey, I found I could take on more work in my day job, be a better wife, mother, and friend. I now have the capacity to be intentional with my time and engage in activities that truly fulfill me. I have become a CASA volunteer, adding 10-15 volunteer hours per month, and this is something that truly fills my cup. I’ve learned how to prioritize and plan effectively, allowing me to excel in the areas of life that matter most.
Is my house perfect? No. Does it look like it belongs on the cover of a magazine? No. But IT IS functionally organized.
I know where to find things when I need them, and I no longer waste precious time—time I could be spending outdoors with my beautiful family—frantically searching for items or creating endless to-do lists.
I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned throughout my organizing journey with you. My goal is to help you feel less overwhelmed and take control of the life you’re meant to live.
Peace, Love & Organization!