What I Thought About While Pumping Gas: 7 Simple Ways I Find Peace When Life Feels Expensive
Large Southern live oak tree in a Louisiana backyard, representing peace, gratitude, and the calm that comes from simplifying your home and life. Photo by Martha Carol Stewart
I stood at the gas pump this week watching the numbers climb.
Three dollars.
Twenty.
Forty.
Sixty.
Almost four dollars a gallon.
I may have muttered a few words that shouldn't be repeated in front of small children. (I was a kindergarten teacher...I know better!)
I wasn't worried that I couldn't afford the gas.
My mind immediately went somewhere else.
I thought about my daughter and her husband, expecting their first baby.
I thought about my son, who's about to begin his first physical therapy job while still carrying student loans.
I thought about my goddaughter, settling into a new position at a law office while fiercely saving for a place of her own.
Then I thought about the families quietly trying to stretch every paycheck just a little farther.
Not because they're doing anything wrong.
Simply because life feels more expensive than it used to.
And with that comes stress.
When stress walks through the front door, peace often slips quietly out the back.
By the time I hung up the gas nozzle, my brain had already started asking the same question it always asks whenever life feels uncertain.
What can I simplify?
Not because I'm afraid.
Because simplifying has become my way of breathing again.
When life feels expensive, I don't immediately look at my bank account.
I look around my home.
Where am I carrying more than I need?
What have I accumulated because it felt good in the moment?
What decisions am I making over and over simply because I own too much?
After thirteen years of helping families organize their homes, I've learned something surprising.
Sometimes the greatest luxury isn't buying something new.
It's needing less.
Here are seven ways I simplify when life feels overwhelming.
1. I Reduce Decisions
One of my favorite sayings has always been:
Never own more than you can maintain. ( I wish I remembered who said these wise words….they are not mine!)
When life gets stressful, every extra decision feels heavier.
Too many beauty products.
Too many lipsticks.
Too many pairs of colorful sneakers. (I confess...I love them.)
Every extra item asks something of us.
"What should I wear?"
"Which moisturizer?"
"Where did I put that?"
Owning less doesn't mean living with less joy.
It means making room for more peace.
2. I Shop My Own Home First
That adorable hair clip on Instagram?
It really is precious.
But do I truly need another one when I already have six waiting in my bathroom drawer?
I've learned to "shop" my own home before shopping online.
More often than not, I already own exactly what I need.
3. I Wait 24 Hours Before Clicking "Buy"
Impulse purchases usually aren't about the item.
They're about the feeling.
Sometimes I'm not looking for another lipstick.
I'm looking for a little burst of happiness after a hard day.
Waiting just one day gives me space to ask:
Will this still make my life better tomorrow...or does it just make this moment feel a little easier?
Sometimes the answer surprises me.
4. I Notice What I Already Have
I make my bed.
I fluff the sofa pillows.
I clear yesterday's mail from the kitchen counter.
Then I pause.
Yes, the patio furniture probably needs washing.
But I have a patio to enjoy.
I smile at my deep porcelain sink that patiently waits while I load the dishwasher.
I admire the piece of artwork I found at a local resale shop that still makes me smile every time I walk by.
Gratitude has a beautiful way of reminding us that enough already exists.
5. I Simplify My Days, Not Just My Stuff
Owning a business means invitations, networking events, meetings, and opportunities.
Sometimes the most organized thing I can do...
...is say no.
I sit on the porch swing beneath the sprawling branches of our old oak tree.
It reminds me that some of the best things in life grow slowly.
When my children were little, simplifying looked different.
It meant sitting on the floor building a zoo out of plastic animals.
Splashing in muddy puddles after a summer rain.
Rinsing off together in a little plastic kiddie pool.
Those moments never appeared on a to-do list.
But they became the memories we still treasure.
Breathe.
Notice.
Be present.
6. I Leave Room for Real Life
Homes are meant to be lived in.
Not photographed.
There are children.
Spouses.
Dogs.
Laundry.
Life.
Sometimes the dress-up clothes belong tossed into a basket because little imaginations are waiting for tomorrow.
Sometimes stuffed animals deserve to stay lined across the bed.
Childhood moves far too quickly to spend every day chasing perfection.
Give yourself grace.
7. I Remember That Peace Has Value Too
On my hardest days, I intentionally look for something beautiful.
Sometimes I write it down.
Sometimes I take a picture.
Eastern bluebirds splashing in my fountain.
A stranger's kind smile.
Someone holding the door.
A photo memory that unexpectedly appears on my phone.
Little reminders that life is still good.
My goal has never been to create a perfect home.
It's much simpler than that.
I want to walk through my front door, stop for just a moment...
...and smile.
Because this is the house we worked so hard to build.
These are the children I prayed for.
This is the beautiful chaos I always wanted.
Life will always have expensive gas.
Unexpected bills.
Hard seasons.
But peace doesn't have to disappear just because life gets complicated.
Sometimes it begins with taking one deep breath...
...and simplifying one small thing.
The Peace I Found in a Tiny Drawer: Lessons in Simplicity from a Caribbean Catamaran
When my husband and I joined two of our closest friend couples to celebrate his 60th birthday in the British Virgin Islands, I expected beautiful scenery, sunshine, and wonderful memories.
What I didn't expect was an organizing lesson.
For seven days, we lived aboard a Lagoon 46 catamaran chartered through &Beyond with Captain Murray and Chef Janey. The boat was beautiful, but it was still a boat. Four cabins. Tiny bathrooms. Limited storage. Every inch had a purpose.
As a professional organizer, I immediately noticed the systems.
The chef's kitchen was smaller than most walk-in pantries I've organized, yet somehow she created restaurant-quality meals three times a day. There were upper cabinets, storage hidden beneath the floors, and a place for everything. Every evening our table was transformed with fresh flowers, beautiful runners, placemats, and dishes that seemed to change daily.
Our chef, Janey (@JaneyKOffshore), created meals that were not only delicious but stunning. The presentation was beautiful, the pairings were perfect, and she accomplished it all from a tiny galley kitchen floating in the Caribbean Sea.
Meanwhile, I was living out of a backpack.
Because experienced sailors recommend soft luggage, I packed everything into a carry-on backpack and personal bag. For seven days, everything I needed fit in one drawer beneath my bed and on two hangers.
That's it.
Everything I needed for an entire week was contained in one tiny space.
And something surprising happened.
I never felt deprived.
Sure, there was one cute shorts outfit I wished I had packed. I brought tennis shoes I never wore. I never touched my makeup because Caribbean sunshine, good skincare, and a hat turned out to be all I needed.
I mixed and matched the same pieces repeatedly. I wore my favorite dress twice. Most days I lived in a swimsuit and cover-up.
Getting dressed took seconds instead of thirty minutes.
Nothing was lost.
Nothing was misplaced.
Nothing demanded my attention.
The only thing I really had to manage was hanging wet swimsuits to dry.
I brought a few hooks and the boat had clips to hang things on the rail, and I washed my swimsuits while showering using eco-friendly laundry sheets. Beyond that, there was very little to think about.
Instead of managing my stuff, I was managing experiences.
I was snorkeling.
Swimming through caves.
Paddleboarding.
Exploring islands.
Reading books.
Laughing with friends.
Enjoying time with my husband.
Watching sunsets.
Being present.
The boat itself never felt restrictive because the Caribbean became our living room.
The ocean was our backyard.
The islands were our neighborhood.
The sky was our ceiling.
A typical day was beautifully simple. I'd wake up after sleeping better than I had in months, wash my face, comb my beach hair, grab a hat, and head up for coffee and fruit. We'd sit together visiting, reading, and soaking in the view before breakfast. After that, it was swimsuits, cover-ups, and whatever adventure the day held—snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, exploring islands, or simply floating in crystal-clear water.
And somewhere during that week, a thought kept returning to me.
I am living in a tiny room, on a tiny boat, eating and drinking luxuriously, surrounded by people I love, and there is not a single thing I feel like I'm missing. (ok, maybe my kiddos)
As organizers, we spend a lot of time talking about what to keep and what to let go.
But this trip made me ask a different question.
What do we actually need?
Not what fits.
Not what we own.
Not what we might use someday.
What do we truly need to live a beautiful life?
For me, the answer wasn't more stuff.
It was simplicity.
Family.
Close friends.
Laughter.
Experiences.
Good food shared around a table.
Sunshine.
Time to be fully present.
Luxury wasn't having more.
Luxury for me was having exactly what I needed and nothing demanding my attention.
When you strip away the fluff, those are the things that remain.
As someone who helps others organize for a living, I expected to come home with ideas about storage. Instead, I came home thinking about enough.
I came home with wonderful memories, a deeper appreciation for thoughtful organization, and a renewed belief that having less to manage often creates more room for what matters most.
Maybe that's why I felt so peaceful.
For one week, I wasn't managing possessions.
I was simply living.
And honestly, that's a lesson I'm hoping to bring home with me.
Surviving Summer Without Losing Your Sanity: Simple Summer Organization Tips for Families
Summer is here!
The school schedules are out the window, which can feel freeing, but also exhausting! Suddenly, there are sports practices, camps, endless snack requests, and plenty of moments when you hear:
"I'mmmmm boooorrrrredddd!"
As an ADD mom who lived this exact scenario and as a former teacher who desperately wanted to enjoy the freedom of summer, I learned something important:
A complete lack of routine isn't actually relaxing. It's stressful for everyone.
The good news? You don't need a rigid schedule to create a peaceful summer. A simple daily rhythm can make all the difference.
Why Summer Routines Matter
One of the biggest summer organization tips I share with parents is this: children thrive when they know what comes next.
While summer should absolutely include flexibility and fun, completely abandoning routines can lead to frustration, increased screen time, sibling arguments, and stressed-out parents.
Creating a simple summer routine for kids helps reduce decision fatigue, encourages independence, and creates a calmer, more organized and peaceful home.
A Simple Summer Routine for Kids
Here's an example of what worked well for our family:
Breakfast
Get Ready for the Day
Get dressed
Brush teeth
Fix hair
Morning Fun Activity
This is a great time for activities that require a little extra energy. Outdoor play, crafts, library visits, water activities, and creative projects all fit nicely here.
Snack
Independent Play Time
While I prepared lunch, the children played independently. Learning how to entertain themselves is an important life skill.
Lunch
Quiet Time
After lunch, we had a daily quiet period.
Depending on their age, my children would nap, read books, work puzzles, or do another calm activity. I often played classical music and established one simple rule: voices stayed at a whisper.
Truthfully, I needed this downtime just as much as they did.
Afternoon Activity
This was often when neighborhood friends came over to play or when we tackled another family game or activity.
Chore Time
Summer shouldn't mean taking a vacation from responsibility. Small age-appropriate chores help children learn life skills while contributing to the family.
Screen Time
Video games or television/movies while I prepared dinner.
Dinner
Family Time
Don't Be Afraid of Boredom
Many parents feel pressure to keep their children entertained every minute of the day. I want to encourage you to think differently.
Boredom isn't the enemy.
Some of the most creative play happens when children have to invent their own fun. Boredom encourages imagination, problem-solving, creativity, and independence.
The goal isn't to entertain children every second. The goal is to create enough structure that they feel secure while still leaving room for discovery and creativity.
Summer Planning for Families Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
When people think about family organization, they often imagine color-coded calendars and perfectly planned days.
That's not what I'm talking about.
A successful summer routine doesn't need to be scheduled down to the minute. It simply needs enough structure to help everyone know what to expect.
A little planning on the front end can create a summer that feels calmer, more enjoyable, and far less chaotic.
Looking for Summer Activity Ideas?
Need ideas for those "fun activity" blocks in your day?
In this month's Chaos Organizing newsletter, I'm sharing some of my favorite low-cost summer boredom activities that kept my children busy, encouraged creativity, and required very little preparation.
From finger painting in a turtle sandbox to nature scavenger hunts and spray bottle fun, these are the activities that helped our family enjoy summer without spending a fortune.
Sign up for the Chaos Organizing newsletter and get practical parenting tips, organization ideas, and seasonal inspiration delivered right to your inbox.
Here's to a summer with less chaos and more fun.
Kindness always,
Martha-Carol Stewart
Professional Organizer | Chaos Organizing
When Memories Become Weight: A Southern Mom’s Perspective on Letting Go
This week, my professional organizing team and I walked alongside a home organizing client who has loved her home for more than 30 years as she sorted through bins filled with memories.
And as I sat with her, I realized something…
I wasn’t just the organizer in the room.
I was a mom.
Because not too long ago, I sat in my own home watching my adult children go through their childhood boxes:
soccer medals, little handprints, school papers, tiny treasures I had carefully saved for years.
And one by one… they tossed them.
Not because they didn’t love their childhood.
Not because those memories didn’t matter.
But because they had already lived them.
And honestly? It caught me off guard.
So I did what many mothers have probably done without saying a word…
I quietly reached in and saved a few things for myself.
Because those were my memories too.
It Was Never Just “Stuff”
This is the part no one talks about when it comes to decluttering sentimental items.
It’s never just objects in a box.
It’s early mornings on the soccer field in the freezing cold.
It’s Christmas mornings in matching pajamas and the giggling that came with it.
It’s the artwork taped to the refrigerator and the memory of the little voice telling you all about it.
It’s the proud mom moments we tucked away because we never wanted to forget them.
We don’t hold onto things because we need them.
We hold onto them because they meant something.
Every ribbon, report card, and handmade ornament carries a piece of our story.
And that’s why letting go can feel so emotional.
What I’ve Learned as Both a Mom and a Professional Organizer
Over the years, I’ve learned something important:
If our memories stay packed away in boxes we never open, they stop bringing us comfort…
and quietly begin to feel like weight.
Not all at once.
Not dramatically.
But slowly.
The overflowing closets.
The crowded guest rooms.
The bins stacked in the attic “just in case.”
Eventually, the things meant to preserve beautiful memories begin taking up space needed for the life we’re living today.
And that doesn’t mean the memories mattered any less.
It simply means we are allowed to honor our past without letting it overtake our present.
You Don’t Need to Keep Everything to Preserve the Memory
One of the greatest misconceptions about organizing is that you have to become a minimalist.
Especially here in the South, where our homes often hold generations of stories, traditions, recipes, heirlooms, and keepsakes.
That’s not what we believe at Chaos Organizing.
You do not have to let go of everything.
Sometimes peace looks like choosing a small, meaningful collection that truly honors your story instead of keeping every single box untouched for decades.
A few treasured items displayed intentionally can mean far more than dozens of bins hidden away in storage.
You don’t need a larger house or another storage unit to hold your memories.
You need room to live fully in your home today.
The Heart Behind What We Do
At Chaos Organizing, we never want clients to feel rushed or judged.
We understand these moments because we’ve lived them too.
We know that sorting through keepsakes often has very little to do with organizing and everything to do with love, identity, motherhood, grief, and memory.
That’s why we sit with people gently through the process.
Because what we’ve seen time and time again is this:
When you release what’s no longer serving your home, you create space for something new.
Calm.
Clarity.
Peace.
Connection.
A home that feels lighter.
A home where people gather comfortably.
A home that’s lived in and loved.
Because in the end, the legacy we pass down is not the boxes stacked in the attic.
It’s the life lived inside the home.
A Simple Task to Try This Week
Instead of opening every box you own, begin with just one small collection.
Maybe it’s a handful of medals.
A stack of artwork.
A few treasured toys tucked away for years.
Sit with them for a moment and honestly ask yourself:
Is keeping this item helpful or hurtful to the peaceful home I’m trying to create?
Would keeping one or two honor this season more meaningfully than holding onto all of it?
This is Step 2 of the CHAOS Organizing Method:
Helpful or Hurtful
Give yourself permission to keep what truly matters and release the rest with gratitude for the season of life it represents.
And remember:
those gently loved items may become a blessing to someone else.
You do not have to do it all today.
Just begin with one small, meaningful decision.
Set a timer for 30 minutes and see what happens.
“Your home should tell the story of a life well-lived, not a life perfectly managed.”
Kindness always,
Martha-Carol Stewart
Southern Chaos at The Container Store: Texas Book Tour Recap
The Southern Chaos Texas Book Tour has officially wrapped, and we are equal parts exhausted and over-the-moon excited. This trip was packed with gratitude, surprises, sisterly chaos, and more organizing inspiration than we ever expected. If you’re passionate about home organization, decluttering, or discovering the best organizing products on the market, you’re in the right place.
The Container Store is definitely MY HAPPY PLACE!!!
A Heartfelt Thank You to The Container Store
Before anything else, I want to extend a huge thank you to The Container Store for inviting us to share our book, Southern Chaos: Organizing the Southern Home. Their Southern hospitality was unmatched and reminded me why The Container Store remains a trusted leader in the home organizing industry.
Every store we visited was buzzing with energy. Their employees are true experts in home storage solutions, organization systems, and all the bins and baskets we Southerners love. Stepping through the doors felt like walking into Santa’s workshop for organizers — joyful, purposeful, and overflowing with inspiration. So impressed with their staff who attended to every detail!
Sister Time and Support That Meant Everything
A special thank you goes to my sister, Melanie, who joined me on this Texas journey.
Not only did she help manage the chaos behind the scenes, but she also made the entire book tour experience even more meaningful. From logistics to laughter(at my singing ability….or lack of it!), she kept the trip energized and joyful. And to every friend, family member, and reader who showed up -THANK YOU!!! Your support means the world to me! It is what fuels me and our Chaos Organizing mission to help people create functional, beautiful, organized homes.
Mellie Magic helped make this happen!
Inside The Container Store: A Dream for Home Organizing Lovers
Let’s be honest — if you love organization, decluttering tips, and finding the perfect storage bins, then you understand why this event was a dream come true.
Everywhere I looked:
Bins. Bins. And more bins.
From woven baskets and pantry organizers to closet systems and drawer inserts, The Container Store is truly a one-stop shop for creating efficient spaces. One of my favorite parts was speaking with employees about their top trending organizing products and best-selling solutions. I never recommend items to clients unless I’ve tested them myself, so this was an incredible opportunity to evaluate quality, durability, and value.
I discovered several new products I can’t wait to bring into upcoming home organization projects, especially for clients who are downsizing, aging in place, or craving a more functional Southern home.
Coming soon to a home near you!
Road Tripping With My Sister: Chaos Included
Now for the adventure behind the adventure — a sister road trip full of humor and real-life chaos.
The High-Tech Hybrid
We took my new hybrid car, which has more technology than a small airplane. Melanie ended up doing all the driving because every button, beep, and blinking light felt like a mystery so I stayed buried in the owners manual. Let’s just say the learning curve was steep and we laughed a lot about possible hitting a button that might eject us.
The Great Christmas Music Debate
Because it was the holiday season, I naturally wanted Christmas music. Joy, Joy and MORE JOY!!!! Right?
Melanie said absolutely not.
Not just because she dislikes holiday cheer… but because she didn’t want to hear me sing. HA!
Some talents are better left hidden…..deeply hidden..HA!
Austin’s Sky-High Interstates
Then came the sky-high interstate system in Austin — a true test of bravery for two sisters who hate heights. We were so far off the ground I’m pretty sure we could see Oklahoma from up there.(Hey Sandy!) A true bonding moment, fueled by adrenaline, white knuckles and Southern prayers.
Flat Martha
Every great book tour needs a mascot… and ours came in the form of Flat Martha — my life-sized cardboard cutout who traveled right alongside us.
Flat Martha visited three Container Stores, checked into the Aloft Hotel like she owned the place, stopped by Reed’s House of Grad School Boys to watch football, and even managed to keep Melanie in line. (Every time Melanie got sassy, Flat Martha somehow ended up popping her on the back of the head — like any good Southern sister would.)
There is nothing quite like walking into a hotel lobby with a cardboard version of yourself under one arm. Having a flat version of yourself is equal parts hilarious, humbling, and slightly unsettling. But I have to admit… she photographs well and never complains about the car temperature(or my singing!).
Flat Martha became such a part of the trip that by the end, people were asking for pictures with her like she was the Beyoncé of the organizing world. Honestly? She earned it. #FlatMartha if you want to follow along on her adventures.
Nothing better than a photo with #FlatMartha
#FlatMartha meets Austin!
#FlatMartha thoroughly enjoyed watching the game with Reed and his PT friends! He was disappointed she didn’t clean bathrooms!
A Magical Ending in Austin
The highlight finale of the trip was seeing my son and cousin in Austin. Reed came proudly sporting his Chaos shirt like he was part of our team. Jessica came and brought her entire family along to say hello! She invited us to end the night(and tour) at Frosty’s, a Christmas pop-up bar that looked like a winter wonderland exploded along with a few of her friends. It was the perfect festive finish to an unforgettable week.
My sweet son, Reed, came to support his Mama!
What’s Next for Southern Chaos?
This book tour left me energized and inspired. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing:
The best organizing products from The Container Store
Employee favorites you’ll want in your pantry, closet, or laundry room
Tips for maintaining an organized home heading into the new year
Storage solutions for Christmas Decor
Whether you're starting a decluttering journey, upgrading your storage systems, or simply love a good organizing product roundup, there’s so much coming your way.
Thank you for being part of this adventure. Your support keeps the mission of Chaos Organizing going strong — helping Southern women create organized, functional, warm homes without giving up the things they love.
Kindness always,
MC
Ended the tour with a trip to Frosty’s, a pop-up Christmas bar, with my cousin and her friends! So Merry and Bright!