Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

March 16, 2025

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The Sneaky Ways We Waste Time (Without Even Realizing It)

Have you ever sat down to watch just one episode of a show, only to find yourself three episodes deep before you even think about hitting pause? Or maybe you picked up your phone to check a quick notification, only to find yourself mindlessly scrolling through Facebook Reels or TikTok videos, wondering how on earth 40 minutes disappeared.

Time has a way of slipping through our fingers, especially when we’re not paying attention. And these days, it’s easier than ever to waste hours without even realizing it.

The Never-Ending TV Loop
Streaming services and cable TV have mastered the art of keeping us hooked. One episode ends, and before you can decide to get up, the next one is already starting.

They even shrink the end credits and start a countdown timer—because they know you’ll probably just let it play. Before you know it, that quick 30-minute break has turned into a full-fledged binge session.

The Social Media Black Hole
Social media is designed to keep us engaged for as long as possible. Algorithms track what we watch, like, and engage with, then serve up more of the same to keep us scrolling.

Short videos, in particular, are addictive. They’re quick, they autoplay, and they give us little hits of dopamine every time we see something funny or interesting.

Five minutes turns into 10, which turns into 40, and suddenly, that “quick break” has eaten up a big chunk of the day.

The News as an Entertainment Trap
Once upon a time, watching the news meant getting updates on important events. Now, it’s an endless cycle of dramatic headlines, opinion panels, and speculation—all designed to keep us watching.

It’s easy to justify spending time on the news because it feels productive. But if we’re being honest, how is it contributing to our well-being or daily lives? Staying informed is important, but endless news consumption can leave us drained rather than empowered?

The “Where Did My Day Go?” Problem
When we lose time to TV, social media, or the news, the real problem isn’t just that we’ve been entertained—it’s that we’ve pushed aside things that actually matter.

Suddenly, it’s late in the day, and we haven’t tackled the tasks we meant to. The laundry is still sitting in the dryer, the email is unanswered, the organizing project we were excited about remains untouched.

How to Take Back Control
The good news? We don’t have to be slaves to these time-stealers. A few simple strategies can help:

1. Set a timer. If you want to watch a show or scroll social media, decide ahead of time how long you’ll do it. When the timer goes off, step away.

2. Turn off autoplay. Many streaming services allow you to disable automatic episode play. This tiny change can make a big difference.

3. Move your phone out of reach. If you tend to pick it up absentmindedly, putting it across the room can break the habit.

4. Make a short TO DO list. At the start of the day, write down three things you must get done. Checking them off will help keep you accountable.

5. Be mindful of what actually adds value to your life. Entertainment is fine, but if it’s getting in the way of your goals, it might be time to reassess.

Wasting time is easier than ever—but so is making small changes to reclaim it. A little awareness and intention can help you stay in control, instead of wondering where the day went.

On another note, know someone who could use some comfort? My Gifts of Comfort Idea List is filled with thoughtful, practical gifts to lift spirits, provide warmth, and bring a little joy—perfect for anyone facing a tough time or just needing a pick-me-up.

Is Shorthand a Lost Art

Many years ago, when I worked as a secretary, shorthand was an essential part of my job. It was the original speed-writing method—allowing me to take notes at lightning speed using symbols and abbreviations instead of full words.

Systems like Gregg Shorthand and Pitman Shorthand were widely taught, helping secretaries, journalists, and other professionals keep up in fast-paced environments long before laptops and voice recorders made note-taking effortless..

But is shorthand still used today? While it’s far less common, it hasn’t disappeared entirely. Some court reporters and medical professionals still use it, and journalists sometimes rely on shorthand-like note-taking to quickly capture information.

However, with the rise of digital transcription and voice-to-text technology, traditional shorthand is mostly a relic of the past. Still, there’s something fascinating about a skill that once turned handwriting into a secret code only the trained could read!

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Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

How to Use This Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will find stories, ideas, inspiration, links and more to help you live a less stressful, more organized, more fulfilling life.

We encourage you to apply these ideas to your own life AND share them liberally with your family, friends, and fan base via email, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, other social media outlets, and in person, of course!

When you share, please mention my name and web site - Maria Gracia - GetOrganizedNow.com as the source.

Thank you for helping to spread the gift of organizing far and wide!

-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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Mar 16 - The Sneaky Ways We Waste Time (Without Even Realizing It) - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter