One Small Thing (or can a $49 shoe bin save the month of May?)

May is a strange little month, isn’t it? It flirts with summer, throws in a few rogue cold mornings, dumps a TON of pollen, and then barrels ahead with school concerts, graduation parties, teacher gifts, packing lists, and maybe even a few frantic texts about who’s bringing what to Memorial Day weekend.

It’s busy. It’s joyful. It’s also, let’s be honest, a little bit unhinged.

So rather than tackle a giant “spring refresh” or a full-blown organization project, I’m focusing on one small thing. A micro change. Something that brings a little order to the madness.

For me, that small thing is a shoe corral. Specifically, the Bissa shoe cabinet from IKEA.

At just $49, this unassuming little piece of furniture is my new secret weapon for clearing the flip-flop traffic jam in the entryway of our beach house. If you’ve ever hosted a crowd at a coastal home, you know the struggle—sandy sandals, rogue Crocs, and a mystery size 10 that no one will claim. And nope, I am not paid to say this—just an an IKEA fangirl of over 30 years.

The Bissa is slim, easy to assemble, and tucks neatly into a hallway without taking up valuable floor space. Even better? It closes up so I don’t have to see the mess. And in a season that’s already a visual overload (backpacks, sunscreen, graduation gowns, beach towels), that’s a win.

What’s Your “One Small Thing”?

A hook rack for hats and beach bags can clear visual clutter in an instant. A tray by the back door helps wrangle sunscreen, bug spray, and sandy odds and ends. Toss a basket outside for wet towels or water toys before they sneak their way indoors.

Start an end-of-year routine for school artwork: label a large envelope or portfolio for the true keepers and (gently) recycle the rest before it takes over your kitchen counters.

If your college student is rolling back in for summer, consider adding under-bed bins or a garment rack to handle the overflow. A few small storage tweaks can save everyone’s sanity.

And don’t forget the mental clutter: grab a stack of graduation gifts now (Uber Eats or Amazon cards are crowd-pleasers) so you’re not panic-shopping hours before the party.

You don’t have to revamp your whole home—or your whole life. Just choose one small thing that makes the daily scramble feel a little less...scrambly.

If you're looking for ideas or help identifying your own “one small thing,” I’m always here to help. Sometimes it just takes a fresh eye—and a plan you can tackle at your own pace.

Here’s to easing into summer with a little more calm and a little less clutter. Cheers!!