Hi Reader,
The kiddos are back in school. Even though my little gentleman isn't in school yet, we do have a new schedule forming, new toys and games, a whole new season. It has me thinking about this beautiful podcast I recently guested on.
Can I tell you something I don't usually say out loud?
I organize homes for a living. I help women turn chaos into calm. And when it comes to waiting on God, I am not good at it. Not even a little.
I found myself admitting that recently on the Not Just Waiting Podcast with Reanna Hoffmann.
Here's the season I'm in. My little one is 18 months old, and he is into everything. He opens every drawer. He pulls everything out of the cabinets. He puts my measuring cups somewhere new every single day. He's discovering, trying, falling down, getting back up, and doing it all with this complete, fearless abandon.
And one morning it hit me. That's my season too. New motherhood, new rhythms in my business, new everything. I'm a little explorer, right alongside my toddler.
The difference is, he isn't worried about a thing. And me? When I don't know what's next, I get antsy. I want to push. I want to hustle my way into God's will. I've done it before, and it led straight to burnout.
So here's what I've learned about myself. In a season of waiting, I don't sit still very well. But I have found something that helps me wait with an open hand instead of a clenched one.
I declutter to make room.
When I feel that restless "what's next" energy, I go to my papers, my closets, my old files, the drawer that's been bugging me. And as I release what I don't need anymore, something loosens on the inside too. I stop gripping. I start listening.
This is the whole reason I built my organizing method around the word grace. G.R.A.C.E. It begins with Gather, where you get honest about what you actually want this space, and this season, to feel like. Then comes Release, and if I'm being real with you, that's the step I keep coming home to. Releasing the papers, yes, but also the expectations, the old plans, the version of me who thought she had it all figured out. From there you Acquire only what truly supports the life you're living now, you Cultivate rhythms that fit your real days, and then you Enjoy the room you made.
Because letting go isn't just about the stuff. It's about making room. Room to breathe. Room to hear that still, small voice. Room for whatever God is growing next, even when I can't see it yet.
That's really the heart of what Reanna and I talked about. Not a tidy list of steps. Just the honest, in-between, still-becoming truth that waiting well and making room can go hand in hand.
So if you're in your own season of waiting today, I'll offer you the gentlest nudge. You don't have to push. You don't have to have the whole plan. Maybe you just clear one small space, one drawer, one shelf, and let it be a quiet little act of trust that room is being made for something good.
I'd love for you to listen to the full conversation with Reanna. It was heartfelt and fun and real, and I think it'll meet you right where you are.
π§ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-you-dont-have-to-hustle-your-way-into-gods-will/id1783386204?i=1000774838087β
π§ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4q6FPGGcKpTcsU0KtQs5r6β
Be Extraordinary, Melinda Grace
A few questions I get a lot...
How can decluttering help you wait on God? When I declutter, I'm not just clearing space in a drawer, I'm clearing space in me. Releasing what I no longer need helps me loosen my grip on my own plan and start listening for God's. Decluttering to make room has become one of the gentlest ways I know to wait with an open hand instead of a clenched one.
How do you declutter to make room for a new season? Start small and start honest. Pick the one space that's stressing you out the most, set a timer for fifteen minutes, and let go of what no longer fits the life you're stepping into. You don't have to do the whole house. A single cleared drawer can create the momentum, and the breathing room, for what's next.
What is the G.R.A.C.E. organizing method? G.R.A.C.E. is my faith-based approach to getting organized: Gather, Release, Acquire, Cultivate, and Enjoy. It's a gentler, prayer-friendly way to declutter that makes room for peace, not pressure. I walk through all five steps in my book, Reclaim Your Space with G.R.A.C.E.
Where should you start when you feel completely overwhelmed? Start where you're stuck. Close your eyes, walk through your home in your mind, and notice the space that makes you sigh. That's your starting point. And if it feels like too much to do alone, it's okay to ask for help. You can always book a 1:1 session with me, in person or virtual.
Be Extraordinary,
ADD A LITTLE BEAUTY TO YOUR LIFE
My faith-based organizing book and 6-week guide to a calmer, more peaceful home. Over 350 copies sold! It will guide you in getting your home organized and creating that calm, peaceful sanctuary you've always dreamed of. The book also comes with LOTS of digital organizing FREEBIES. Get your copy today!
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3. ββListen to a Podcast!
This week: "You Don't Have to Hustle Your Way Into God's Will" on the Not Just Waiting Podcast with Reanna Hoffmann. Apple Podcastsβ
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