motivation, virtual life, and baking bread

As I am writing, I am in my sweatpants, again. I think I wore this pair yesterday. I can’t remember.

This ‘stay-at-home’ life is surreal. It is hard to find comfort, answer our children’s questions and predict how and when we get back to ‘normal’, or whatever that means!

As adults, we know we need to find new routines, new motivations, new purposes. These concepts are tougher than they sound – we are creatures of habit and our old habits were really working for us! And have you figured out how to decipher Tuesday from tomorrow from someday?

As a professional organizer, I had a really good playbook for all this…before COVID. Now, I feel I need to reinvent myself, my motivation, my role and purpose. I am sure I’m not alone.

Netflix, Hulu and Twizzlers have become my best friends, the couch has a new valley from the last eight weeks. It’s time to change positions. And sweatpants.

Where do I find my motivation these days? Honestly, in the most unexpected places. In old friends asking to Zoom, in my daughter’s menu ideas, in a client’s consistent asking when we can get back to work, and, in yeast.

Yes, yeast.

I have always been an active baker, but bread was never my forte. However, since there is no difference in days, and hours are often irrelevant, I have jumped onto the baking bread bandwagon. I know I am not alone, as you can’t find yeast online or in the markets! Why is this when there is plenty of bread in the next aisle? I believe it is because baking bread is cathartic – it is rewarding and controllable. In a world that feels out of control, baking a loaf of bread from scratch makes everything feel (and smell) so much better. As I bake, I feel reenergized –motivated, happier, purposeful, focused.

I was late to acquiesce to the new, vibrant virtual life. Who knew we could have coffee with our neighbor, play games with friends, celebrate milestones with family, find a million reasons for wine time and attend concerts all from our computers? While it is easy to fall into zoom overload, what we can do now in the virtual world is limitless!

With this motivation, I have gotten back in the saddle.

order is offering virtual organizing, diving into this new arena of opportunity. And you know what? You, my incredible clients, you inspire me! You are motivated, focused, driven, committed and strong! You have made me believe that this time of isolation and uncertainty will pass, that we will be better, kinder and more committed to each other and our collective wellness than ever before!

Oh, and you motivated me to try sourdough.

If you are interested in virtual organizing session, please visit my website at www.order-boston.com or reach out to laura@order-boston.com. I’ll be happy to chat or zoom…probably all in my sweatpants!

order will be part of a Mother’s Day virtual pop-up on Instagram this week, please follow @refindorder to learn more!

Stay home, stay safe, stay well!