Tag Archives: Organizing

Why I’m Organizing My Home for Peace and Productivity — Not Just Prettiness

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I’m not seeking prettiness, I’m seeking peace. And I’m not seeking prettiness, I’m seeking productivity. But really what I’m seeking are ways to soothe my nervous system, ways to feel better, ways to lift myself up. I write these disclaimers because there is nothing lonelier than being misunderstood or rejected. And if I’m being honest, I fear that sharing my interest in organizing my home will lead to both.

But at the same time, I truly believe in the upsides of the story I’m about to share. Not just from personal, lived experience, but because I know research supports it.

Yesterday, I was feeling depleted and asked myself, “What do I need to feel better? What would make me happy?” My answers? Getting something done. Being creative.

So a pantry cabinet called to me to be organized at long last. As anticipated, I opened the door and things fell out. Oh, has this one cabinet been driving me bat shite crazy. And oh, has it been bringing so much unnecessary stress to the end of my day, since it holds the broom I grab after dinner.

But organizing it? Oh, It. Brought. Me. So. Much. Joy!!! Problem-solving to figure out where everything would go? Finding something in our house that would help organize things? Oh, my brain loved the challenge and the success of figuring it out! Opening the cabinet door and not being attacked by falling paper towels? Or a falling broom? Heaven on earth. Seeing a finished project? Total dopamine rush. I love organizing. Not to achieve Pinterest results, but because of all I just mentioned.

The process.

The results.

The feelings.

The feelings that continue well after the job is done.

The feelings of ease of knowing where everything goes.

The feelings of relief of not over buying because I easily find what I need the first time.

The feelings of peace every time I see a visually pleasing cabinet. I’ve been organizing more and more since the renovation finished.

More systems in place. More stuff donated. Less to organize. Less to tidy. I feel lighter. Less gray. More orange. I want to write more about this, but my old brain — the part of me that has been told before that I’m a perfectionist and too anal-retentive, the part of me that is saying no one cares — is still popping in and saying, “I wouldn’t…” But I gotta tell you. I know there are so many ADHD brains, so many perimenopausal brains, out there like mine thinking:

I can’t organize.

I don’t have the time.

It really isn’t worth it.

But also… I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and annoyed by over-purchasing, wasting time looking for things, and clutter. I’m living the results of doing a little at a time AND it is possible, even for brains like ours.

And it is more than worth it. I want to scream from the cleaner cabinets all about it. I can barely contain myself. SO much so that I wonder if that should be my job?! No joke. BUT… The truth? My organized cabinet? It isn’t just about more clean, organized cabinets with some bins to boot. It really is about one way I’m finding ease and joy so that I feel lighter in general which is totally Orange Rhino oriented, so I guess I’ll stick around here.

Happy MonYAY everyone. I hope it has started off on a great note and if not, there is still plenty of time to create some orange. Sending warmth as always,

xoxo, Sheila.

🧡 The Orange Rhino

Sensory Overload, Clutter and Yelling: What My Teen Understands About Me

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My teenage son totally has my number. And it’s because I taught him well. Ever since I was little, I’ve been super sensitive to certain sounds, textures, and visual clutter. I used to sit in movie theaters thinking, When I grow up, I’m going to invent popcorn that isn’t crunchy sounding… and chip bags that don’t wrinkle when you put your hand in.

So yes…having four loud boys did not exactly help my sensory processing. When they were younger, my nervous system was often fried from the noise, the chaos, the constant touching, the overwhelm, and the exhaustion. A lot of my yelling came from that place. My body was screaming on the inside and it needed somewhere for all that overload to go. Once I started The Orange Rhino Challenge®, I began understanding that better.

And I started handling it differently. I took breaks. Splashed cold water on my face. Turned on music to dance out my energy. Put in earbuds to listen to calming music and tune out the noise. I talked out loud about what was happening in my body. As the boys got older, and it became more obvious we’re a pretty neurodiverse family, I tried to make two things clear: It is my job to take care of me (likewise goes for them!) If I’m overwhelmed, it’s my job to step away, get my earbuds, regulate, and do what I need to do to feel better and less snappy.

And that in a family, it’s loving to consider each other too. If someone says they’re overloaded, the kind thing is to be considerate, help if you can… or at least maybe not chew chips like you’re in a sound effects competition.

Well. Fast forward to last night. I was super off. Later I realized my ankles were massively swollen, so apparently my body was not happy. Then my son started eating potato chips. I was about to absolutely lose my mind. And this child looked at me and said: “Mom, stop telling me to chew quieter. Where are your earbuds? You need them.”

Then he got up, found them, handed them to me, and said with the most loving and playful as possible but irritated voice, “I’ve had enough of you. I want to chew my chips in peace.”

Honestly? Fair. I put them in… but not before I blasted music on my computer and he chewed as obnoxiously loudly as possible. It became a full-on sound off. We both ended up smiling.

And I told him, “Thank you. I appreciate it. And you’re right… it was my job to get up and find them. Sorry, kiddo. Enjoy your chips. But first, may I have one?!”

We teach them and hope it lands. And then one day, it does and you feel so grateful. For the loving help and the potato chips. Sending my warmth and a little oomph to you, today and always,

xoxo, Sheila

🧡 The Orange Rhino

Why We Say “I’m Fine” When We’re Absolutely Not

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Do you ever pretend you’re fine… when you’re absolutely not? (Rhetorical question) I have a serious case of the “I’m fine’s” right now. You know the ones: “I’m fine, really.” “It’s no big deal.” “I’m good. It’s all good.” (Andy Grammer may be good. But if I’m being honest with myself, honey I’m not good) Why is it so hard to just say: “Yeah… today sucked.” “I know I’ll be okay, but right now? This stinks.” “I’m frustrated. I thought I’d feel better by now.” Like seriously, why can’t I just be totally honest with others more often?

When my best friend called the other night and said, “Sheil!!! Why didn’t you tell me you were having another procedure?” My answer? “I didn’t want to be a burden.” Oof.

Here’s the truth: I’ve been told before that I’m “too much.” That I’m “seeking attention.” That I “just want to be sick.” So somewhere along the way, I taught myself: Keep it in. Say you’re fine. Don’t inconvenience anyone. Even though I know I can trust my real friends… Even though I know I can share my shite sandwiches… I still struggle. I’m re-teaching my brain that I can share the hard stuff. That I can be “not fine” and also know “I will be fine” at the same time.

Practice is exhausting. But it’s working. Every day I accept the gray a little more and still create orange anyway. Every day I practice being real with myself. Some days go better than others.

But most days? I feel lighter. I want us all to feel that way today. I want to try something. If this applies to you, drop one honest “not fine” truth in the comments. Just one. And let’s reply to each other with actual support. No fixing. No minimizing. Just: “I see you” or some other loving message.” I have a feeling a lot of us are carrying something quietly. Let’s all feel a little bit better today, together.

Sending my warmth to all of you, especially those who aren’t feeling fine and also (understandably) don’t feel comfortable yet sharing with others. I see you. I get it.

xoxo, Sheila

🧡 The Orange Rhino

How a Friend Helped Me Finally Let Go of What My House “Should” Look Like

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I had the most liberating, helpful phone call with a friend yesterday. Saweet! It’s amazing how we can know something, tell ourselves something, and yet it takes a friend saying the exact same thing for us to finally hear it and follow through, right?! –>Anyone else experience this? Lately, I’ve been juggling so much (aren’t we all?): parenting responsibilities, launching a company (did I just formally put that in writing?!), being a human, and re-setting up my house after a “kitchen” renovation that somehow took over every room.

Every day, I feel pulled in so many directions. Every day I ask myself, “okay, so what is most important?” “What action will bring me the most peace?” “What action will have the largest consequence if I ignore it?” “What action will energize me the most so I can do everything else a little bit better, so I can go to bed feeling a little bit better about how the day went?” And of course, the answers never match.

Work needs the most. Parenting matters most. Cleaning weighs on me most. Cue frustration, overwhelm, and hair pulling. In my heart, I knew the house was what I needed to say yes to and yet, I couldn’t. Enter my friend. I made myself a cup of hot chocolate in one of my favorite mugs (and not just because it’s orange, but because it is honestly the perfect size!) and gave her a call.

“Girl! ORGANIZE THE HOUSE! Forget work. Forget doing all the parenting stuff. You feel suffocated by the clutter, the chaos, the visual to-dos. You are drowning in the negative energy that every room brings. It’s okay to say yes to cleaning and organizing.” she said to me, all matter-of-factly.

So I did. After a doctor’s appointment (and a slightly embarrassing nap during my echo with a 25-year-old tech), I came home, rested, and voila—one room re-organized, one me re-energized. Holy shnikes, what a difference in my mood, my outlook, my everything. Cleaning, organizing can be given such a bad rap. Focus on the other stuff people say. Cleaning and organizing can wait. Sure, sometimes it can.

But sometimes, oh sometimes it IS the game changer, the foundation that makes everything better. So the question for me is, what will I tackle today?! Hmmm. Good news…the possibilities are endless since there are soo many boxes and dust is everywhere post floors getting refinished!

What’s your version of cleaning the house? The thing you keep pushing aside but deep down know would make you feel lighter, calmer, more like you again? The thing you want to do but feel like maybe you shouldn’t prioritize because of messaging out there that says otherwise?! Tell me below — I promise, no judgment, just solidarity and maybe a gentle nudge to go for it. Sending my warmth to go with your strength, today and always, and especially if you are going to tackle your version of “cleaning the house” today. I’m with you in spirit. Always am.

xoxo, Sheila
🧡 The Orange Rhino