Get It Together, Weirdo

What's causing that heavy, overwhelming feeling in your chest and gut every time you think about getting organized? Maybe it comes from trying to force yourself into a system that wasn't designed for you.

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, host and coach Sarah Bowser encourages you to harness the energy of the New Year by creating a personalized organizational system that sticks. You’ll learn to identify what currently overwhelms you about one-size-fits-all solutions, to experiment with different tools and methods, and to regularly assess and adjust to ensure that your new system is still working for you. 

Sarah has tried sooo many different systems over the years — paper planners, Trello boards, Google tools, and a whole washi tape phase — and what she’s learned is that the system you follow or piece together doesn't have to be followed perfectly to a T. It just has to be yours.

Want to use that New Year energy to finally get your shit together? Not in some overwhelming colour-coded planner sort of way, but by building a system that actually works for you and your wonderfully weird brain? Don’t miss this episode! 

If you want to stay in the loop on new episodes, posts, and other tidbits that Sarah shares, go to thatweirdnerdymom.com to hop on her email list, or join her for weekly coworking on Mondays. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• The importance of developing a personalized organization system tailored to your wonderfully weird brain, instead of relying on one-size-fits-all solutions
• How to identify why your current organizational efforts are causing you stress or overwhelm
• How to experiment with different organizational tools and methods to find what works best for you
• That progress and persistence — including regular check-ins and tweaks to ensure your system is still working for you — are the goal

Noteworthy quotes from this episode:
“The system you follow or piece together doesn't have to be followed perfectly to a T. It just has to be yours.”

“A lot of these popular tools and strategies assume that we're all striving to be neat, orderly, colour-coded robots who thrive on rigid plans and having our days planned down to the minute. No! We're human. We're messy. Unpredictable.”

“If something doesn't work, take it out and try implementing something else at that step. That's not a failure. It just means you're learning and gaining more information about what doesn't work for you.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

 Do you want to figure out how to manage the different aspects of your life based on, you know, actual facts? If so, it's time to experiment. 

In this episode of the Get It Together, Weirdo podcast, host and coach Sarah Bowser guides you through the art of experimentation to manage life's chaos. Discover how adopting a scientific approach can help you tackle your to-do list, create routines, and even explore new hobbies.

For Sarah, experimenting has been a game changer. It's how she figured out what she wants to do in life, how she wants to organize her time, and what books and hobbies she enjoys. Sarah shares how you can bring experimentation into your own life, overcome the fear of trying new things, and use this approach to create a life that feels good and works for your unique brain. 

This episode is perfect if you’re seeking practical, evidence-based solutions to life's challenges. 

If you want to stay in the loop on new episodes, posts, and other tidbits that Sarah shares, go to thatweirdnerdymom.com to hop on her email list, or join her for weekly coworking on Mondays. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• How to use experimentation to manage various aspects of your life
• Why you should reframe fears around trying new things as opportunities for curiosity
• The importance of having flexible boundaries that support your growth and well-being instead of adhering to rigid societal standards
• How to experiment with small changes in your everyday life, then reflect on the outcomes for greater self-awareness and satisfaction

Noteworthy quotes from this episode: 

“Experimentation can help you approach things with curiosity and confidence instead of anxiety and overwhelm.” 

“It's not a failure, it's feedback, and that feedback helps you make better choices moving forward.” 

“Experimenting with boundaries can help you figure out what's truly serving you. And what might need adjusting. Ask yourself, are my boundaries supporting my health and happiness, or are they holding me back?”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

How's your brain feeling right now?  Nice and calm, like a zen garden? Or are we more in the absolute cluster chaos central territory? If you're more in the chaos camp, don't worry, you're most certainly not alone. 

Discovering how to tackle that overwhelming mental chaos mountain can feel like an impossible feat. In this episode of the Get It Together, Weirdo podcast, host and coach Sarah Bowser explores practical strategies and unconventional approaches to help you conquer the anxiety and guilt that loves to plague your mind.

Sarah shares her personal experiences with overwhelm and burnout and the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations, emphasizing the importance of identifying your personal triggers and aligning your actions with your core values. Besides practical strategies like brain dumping and experimenting with different approaches to organization, you’ll learn the significance of having self-compassion, setting boundaries, and prioritizing your mental health to overcoming guilt and anxiety. 

So take some time this week to reflect on what truly matters to you. And if you want to stay in the loop on new episodes, posts, and other tidbits that Sarah shares, go to thatweirdnerdymom.com to hop on her email list, or join her for weekly coworking on Mondays. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• How societal pressures and unrealistic expectations can lead to burnout 
• The importance of identifying your own personal triggers and aligning your actions with your core values to reduce anxiety and guilt
• Practical strategies such as brain dumping and experimenting with organizational methods to manage mental chaos and reduce overwhelm
• The significance of self-compassion, setting boundaries, and prioritizing mental health in your daily life to combat excessive guilt.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode:

“You're not letting anyone down by taking care of yourself.”

“When we align our actions with our core values, we start to reduce that overwhelm because we're no longer pulled in a million directions by things that don't really matter to us. It's like having a compass that always points us in the right direction, even when the storm of chaos is raging around us.”

“Between these societal pressures and our own inner critic, our brains create this perfect storm of mental chaos. And often, underneath it all, there are deeper fears. A fear of failing so much that we lose our jobs. Fear of not being good enough, being abandoned by our friends. Fear of not being loved or accepted by our family, and being excommunicated for being our chaotic selves. These fears fuel the anxiety and keep us stuck in this cycle of overwhelming guilt. But we can start to unmask this chaos and find some clarity.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

What's up with this idea that one thing should work for absolutely everyone, whether it's clothes, recipes, or planners and productivity systems? We're all unique humans with unique brains. So why on earth would the same approach to anything work for everyone?

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, Sarah critiques the widespread reliance on one-size-fits-all solutions that fail to accommodate individual differences. Trying to conform to a rigid system that doesn't fit your personal circumstances causes stress and frustration, and it's easy to feel like you're the problem. But really, that system just isn't the right fit for you.

Sarah highlights the value of self-awareness, experimentation, and aligning actions with core values to create effective, personalized systems that cater to your strengths and challenges. Embrace your individuality and find what best suits you!

What you’ll learn in this episode

• That one-size-fits-all solutions are ineffective because they don’t address individual differences and needs.
• The significance of self-awareness in identifying your strengths and challenges so that you can develop tailored approaches.
• To experiment with various methods and strategies to discover what genuinely works for you.
• The importance of aligning personalized systems with your core values and priorities to ensure they’re sustainable.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“There's nothing wrong with you. The problem is that these systems weren't built with your unique needs in mind.”

“When we let go of societal expectations and embrace who we truly are, we start to see things more clearly. We stop trying to fit into these pre-made molds and start creating our own.”

“Aligning your actions with your core values is crucial to reducing overwhelm and burnout. If your system is built on principles that don't resonate with you, you'll find it hard to stick to no matter how well-designed it is.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

Would it be better to just leave and keep my family safe? Or do we stay and fight back? 

This week’s episode of Get It Together, Weirdo is not your usual episode about keeping your shit together because the recent US election results have left her really struggling to keep her shit together right now. And she bets you are too. 

After expressing her deep concerns and fears about the future, particularly around her children's safety and education, Sarah shares her idea of starting a book club focused on banned literature as a space for listeners to grow together while fueling their energy and resistance. She concludes with a call to action.

If you are struggling in the wake of the US election, you won’t want to miss this emotional episode. 

What you’ll learn in this episode

• That if you voted for fascism and hate, Get It Together, Weirdo is not the podcast for you.
• That Get It Together, Weirdo and Sarah’s coworking community are spaces where anyone who is reeling from the election result is accepted and can feel safe.
• That community and education, and balancing peace and love with anger and resistance are key as we go into the unknown.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode
“If you voted for fascism and Nazis, if you voted for a convicted felon, a rapist, a misogynist, someone who you know threatens those who don't agree with him with violence and death and are someone who thinks 50 cents off a dozen eggs is more important than the human rights of so many people, this isn't the podcast for you. Please unsubscribe.”

“The stress, anxiety, and fear I am feeling around what my daughter will experience at school as a girl is beyond fear that I have ever felt. And the stress, anxiety, and fear I have around what my son will experience ― my little four-year-old goofball who loves to paint his nails pink and wear dresses and tutus ― is right there on that same level.”

“Would it be better to just leave and keep my family safe? Or do we stay and fight back?”

“Hatred should never win. And in this case, it did.”

“‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

Are you the type of person who laminates everything? You complete a project or save an award, then pull out your lamination machine to protect it? Are you just hiding your accomplishments behind a protective sheen of perfectionism, of people pleasing? 

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, Sarah shares her story of laminating her accomplishments — and personality. From the first time she was called “teacher's pet” in childhood, Sarah feared not living up to expectations and hid behind perfectionism and people-pleasing. At school and in workplaces, her perfectionism was mocked and misunderstood, reinforcing her protective habits. Over time, Sarah recognized the need to challenge these habits and work towards accepting her true self with all its imperfections.

Sarah’s story serves as an encouragement for others who are covering themselves in a protective film to embrace their rough edges and move away from the constraints of perfectionism.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• The need to challenge protective habits and work towards self-acceptance.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“It's okay not to laminate every little thing about myself. It's okay to have rough edges.”

“I needed to bury who I truly was, hide it within a protective sheet of plastic to keep myself safe. I stuck so much of this plastic covering on my personality that I struggled to see who I was.”

“Mindset work is never simple, and it takes a lot to break through the limiting thoughts, beliefs, and fears that we have about ourselves. I'm working on being aware and cognizant of when I start to lean back into people-pleasing and perfectionism.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

How often does getting lost in rabbit holes take over your morning, your workday, or your family time? You start with an idea, then a quick Google search or casual scroll through social media, and before you know it, you're 43 tabs deep into a completely unrelated topic and have lost the idea that got you into this mess.

In this episode of Get It Together Weirdo, Sarah explores how a small spark of curiosity can lead to distraction and lost productivity. She offers strategies to help manage distraction while preserving the creative and curious spirit that initiates these journeys. She shares her own story of getting overwhelmed by bullet journaling to show that finding a method that works for you is key.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• The importance of aligning actions with personal priorities and finding balance to prevent distractions from taking over your life.
• Strategies to manage distractions while preserving the creative and curious spirit that initiates your journeys. 
• The need to align daily actions with core priorities to ensure that your productivity and mental well-being are not compromised by distractions.
• How experimenting with different methods for capturing your ideas without getting lost in distractions can balance your creativity with productivity.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“Rabbit holes are one way for our brain to follow its curiosity. It starts with something small. A question, an idea, a picture or song or smell or conversation that triggers something in your brain.”

“Without boundaries, rabbit holes will keep sucking you in and you'll continue to spiral down the guilt slide of wasting your time.”

“Start with getting clear on what really matters to you, your core priorities at that point in time. What are the things that light you up, the things that you want to focus on that day, that week, that month?”

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Notion: notion.so
• Trello: trello.com
• Google Docs: docs.google.com

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

Do you ever feel like once you've committed to a path you're stuck with it forever? 

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, Sarah takes us on a metaphorical journey to highlight the fear of the unknown and societal expectations that can make changing course daunting. 

What would the Fellowship of the Ring have missed out on if Frodo had refused to let Sam come with him or if Aragorn had insisted on sticking to the original plan no matter what? Only the real transformation that comes from adapting to whatever life’s journey throws your way, according to Sarah. 

Tune in for encouragement to practice self-compassion by embracing change and creating your own map.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• The importance of embracing change and creating personal paths in life.
• Recognizing the need for change is a strength, not a weakness.
• Letting go of a path that no longer serves you is an opportunity for growth rather than a failure.
• Practicing self-compassion and setting boundaries are essential to navigate life's changes.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“It's okay to change your mind, to change your path, to change your whole damn map if you need to.”

“Recognizing when it's time for a change isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. It means that you're in tune with what you need and brave enough to go for it.”

“Life is constantly changing. And if we cling too tightly to our plans, we miss out on the beauty of adaptability. And when things don't go as expected, we have a choice. We can see it as a failure, or we can see it as an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to become flexible.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

How often do you pack your schedule ridiculously full — keeping yourself going to the point of burnout — rather than just sit with your thoughts and learn what it is that you actually enjoy? Do you know that we often fill our schedules to avoid confronting our fears and insecurities? 

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, Sarah explores our societal obsession with busyness and its impact on our well-being. 

As an antidote to burnout and dissatisfaction, Sarah encourages us to slow down, embrace stillness, and redefine productivity to align with our own values and happiness. By experimenting with new perspectives, challenging conventional notions of success, and cultivating self-acceptance, we can live more authentically and find joy in unexpected places.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How we use busyness as a distraction from our fears and insecurities.
• The negative impacts of over-scheduling, including burnout and lack of fulfillment.
• How to redefine productivity and success beyond societal expectations.
• Practical advice for discovering unexpected sources of joy and fulfillment, like trying new activities, reevaluating daily routines, and letting go of perfectionism.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“In a world where busyness is celebrated like some sort of twisted badge of honor, it's time to take a step back.”

“We use busyness as a shield, a way to avoid dealing with our insecurities and our self-doubt. So let's unpack this a bit. We feel anxious about not doing enough, about not being enough. And then we feel guilty because we can't keep up with everything we've piled onto our plates.”

“When we embrace our true selves without judgment or shame, we open up so many possibilities for growth and happiness. Try experimenting with new perspectives, pick up a new hobby just for fun, or explore a different way of thinking about something.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/ 

Feel overwhelmed and inadequate when you try to fit yourself into one-size-fits-all organizational systems? 

Resident weirdo and “get your shit together” coach Sarah Bowser’s been there, too — failing with various tools, strategies, and systems and feeling frustrated and guilty because of it. But she’s here to tell you that standardized organizational systems just don't work for everyone, and that’s okay.

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, Sarah emphasizes the importance of embracing your uniqueness, experimenting, and seeking support from others to find the organizational and time management methods that work for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• The ineffectiveness of one-size-fits-all systems and societal expectations.
• The importance of self-acceptance and understanding of your unique brain function to create a personalized system.
• The role of experimentation with small changes in finding the tools and strategies that work for you.
• That support and accountability, whether through friends, coaches, or co-working groups, can help you stay motivated and gain new perspectives.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“You're not failing. The system is failing you.”

“Not everyone's brain works the same way, and that's okay. Society likes to push these expectations onto us, saying that things need to be done this way or that way in order to be acceptable.”

“It just starts with self-acceptance and understanding. We need to recondition ourselves to be okay with being different, with not needing to force our lives and our needs into a template that doesn't fit. It's important that we reflect on what works for us and what doesn't.”

Learn more about Sarah Bowser, That Weird, Nerdy Mom

• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/ 
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/