By Anna Phalen
What’s your goal, your wish upon a star for 2025? An organized house? A thigh gap? More money?
Boring, typical, yet safe to say, “Yeah, something like that.”
I’m not here to judge.
Nudge, yes.
At the center of all those stereotypical goals is a common denominator: a “better” self.
We each define “better” in our own way, but it often comes back to being healthier, wealthier, wiser… and organized.
Getting Organized
Organized? Me?
You see, I am organized… until I’m not. But I will admit (toot toot!) I can keep things running smoothly between projects.
For example, my spice cabinet has been categorically and alphabetically organized for at least two months.
A simple structure that works for me. Honestly, it just makes sense.
But how does one stay organized?
Keep it simple—or don’t waste your time.
The biggest issue I see is the tendency to overcomplicate things. Over-folding, over-binning, over-categorizing, and over-buying create more chaos than calm.
For instance, why buy a 20-pack of paper towels when you can’t manage the 17 boxes of pasta floating around your pantry?
If I can leave you with one tip, it’s this:
Shred the Sam’s card, shred the Costco card, and for the love of tidiness, stop buying “cute” water bottles and coffee cups.
It’s you. You are the problem.
Sorry.
Health vs. Body Image
Let’s talk about health. Take my hand.
Health and body image (ladies, are you listening?) are often mistaken for sisters, but they’ve never been more opposite than they are today.
Health is about taking care of yourself—mentally, physically, nutritionally, emotionally.
It’s about balance amid life’s hustle and bustle: emails, meetings, cooking out of necessity, shopping for everyone but yourself.
If you’re ready to board the “Let’s Get This Mind and Body Back In Shape” train, here are some local resources to help:
Fitness Options
Anytime Fitness
• Location: 2115 Sahlstrom Drive, Crookston
• Offers: Personal training, group training, nutrition guidance, free access to Apple Fitness+
• Contact: Cooper or Blaine at (218) 281-1123 or crookstonmn@anytimefitness.com
Snap Fitness
• Location: 404 N. Broadway, Crookston
• Offers: Personal training, group classes, free full-body scan, tanning, military and student discounts
• Contact: Brandon at (218) 280-1184 or crookston@snapfitness.com
Health & Wellness Options
WellVita
• Location: 1829 Sahlstrom Drive, Crookston
• Specialties: Medical weight loss, functional medicine, nutrient infusions/injections, hormone optimization
• Mission: Empower individuals through personalized, science-based care to enhance quality of life.
• Contact: (218) 551-2122 or support@mywellvita.com
Neshama Healing Center
• Location: 112 S. Broadway, Crookston
• Specialties: Therapeutic and pregnancy massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, BioCharge therapy
• Contact: (218) 280-0971 or neshamahealingcenter@gmail.com
Nutritional Support
Synergy Nutrition
• Location: 116 W. Robert Street, Crookston
• Specialties: Protein shakes, energy teas, popular flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake and Oreo Mud Pie
• Contact: (218) 289-6196
Wonderful Life Foods
• Location: 115 N. Main Street, Crookston
• Specialties: Gluten- and dairy-free foods, natural products, deli items, baked goods, and monthly produce boxes
• Contact: (218) 281-1125
Self-Care Options
Healing Grace Therapies
• Location: 310 S. Broadway, Crookston
• Specialties: Reflexology, ionic foot detox, psychic readings, healing touch therapy
• Contact: Nancy at (218) 281-1717 or mediumnancya@gmail.com
Weekly AA Meetings
• Mondays: Care and Share, 220 E. 3rd Street, 7 PM
• Tuesdays: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1214 University Avenue, 7 PM
Weekly NA Meetings
• Mondays: Riverview Health, 323 S. Minnesota Street, 8:15 PM
• Thursdays: Church of Christ, 1728 N. Front Street, 7 PM
• Contact: 800-926-8143
Final Words
Remember, whether you’re aiming for a more organized home, a healthier lifestyle, or a balanced mind, it’s about progress, not perfection.
Godspeed, dear reader.
You’ve got this.
