Why Every Problem Has a Solution (And How to Find Yours)
What I learned about problem solving during a stressful move.
I know you know we moved last week. And to make it more interesting, I woke up on moving day with a 101-degree fever.
Not exactly ideal timing for hauling boxes and reorganizing our entire lives. However, I pushed through it (as we often do), and in the midst of the chaos of finding new homes for our belongings, I stumbled upon something surprising: a life-changing perspective on problem-solving.
Everything went relatively well, and we’re happily settled in our new space, enjoying it. I'm tired, though, so I'll keep this short and sweet.
I unpacked and touched almost every item we owned, finding each of them a new place to live. Sometimes it was obvious where things should go, but other times—especially since we downsized—it wasn't so clear. I know you know what I'm talking about.
Sidenote: There are legit no drawers in our kitchen. I swear to God, not one. WTF do you even do with that?? Where do the forks go?
Even though the closets in our new place are an absolute dream by New York standards, there were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed, especially in my closet. Since moving here, I've become a bit of a clothes ( and shoe and boot 😬) hound. There's so much great stuff in the city, can you blame me?
Plus, I’ve had all this jewelry that's been stuffed away in a drawer—items I really like, but out of sight, out of mind, so they never get worn. I needed a new place to put all of these things, and it wasn’t fitting the way I thought it would. I wanted my jewelry to be out so I could see it and remember to wear it.
Typically, this would frustrate me because I like to get things done. Maybe I’d start catastrophizing (if only in my head).
This will never fit.
I'm going to have to live with everything smashed into these closets and cabinets.
It's not going to work, and I'll be forced to live this cluttered existence in a sea of scattered boots.
I guess we eat without forks now?
But I noticed a shift during this move.
Instead of forcing my way into a ‘fix’, I found myself able to let go and set things aside. I even surprised myself when I told Walter, "This pile is for the things I'm not sure what to do with. I'm putting them here until I find a solution."
Suddenly, I was in my own aha moment.
Here's what I came to understand more fully during this move:
In every perceived problem, there is a solution. Just because you don't know what to do with something right now doesn't mean that's how it will always be.
A solution is there—it just might not be apparent yet. And this doesn't just apply to our stuff. This applies to every aspect of our lives, including our jobs, relationships, finances, and even our emotions.
I think I've always known this intellectually, but it feels like it solidified in my heart this weekend.
The Solutions I Found
So far, shirts are folded instead of put on hangers, a top-top shelf is utilized for boots and shoes, and I ordered a live-in step ladder for the closet. Forgotten necklaces now hang on a tie rack where I can see (and grab) them easily. And the forks? Well, it’s not a great solution, but they’re in a top sliding shelf in a lower cabinet.
(Am I the only one who thinks drawers are a kitchen necessity? What am I missing here?)
And I know there are more solutions to come.
Beyond Moving Day
This principle extends way beyond organizing spaces, of course. Here are some non-moving examples where this mindset shift made all the difference for me:
A work conflict with a difficult colleague that resolved itself when I stopped trying to "fix" them and instead focused on my own response
Being overwhelmed by workload, then discovering time-blocking solutions I hadn't previously considered
Tension with a family member that eased when I changed my approach from confrontation to curiosity
A creative block that lifted when I stopped forcing inspiration and gave myself permission to play
Budget struggles that resolved when I discovered I was trying to restrict rather than redirect spending
The list goes on and on…
How to Find Your Solutions
So how do you actually find these solutions when you're in the thick of a problem that feels impossible?
The key is simple: ask. I'm serious about this. Whether you call it God, the universe, your higher power, or just your subconscious, you can ask for the solution, then let it go and see what happens.
Creative solutions show up in the most interesting and unexpected ways.
I also discovered that involving your partner or a trusted friend doubles your chances of finding something quickly. Simply sharing, "I need a solution for this problem," gets their mind working on it too, even if it’s only subconsciously.
In this move, when I told Walter what I needed solutions for, he became invested as well, and together, we were able to remedy almost all of our issues.
Your Turn
What are you struggling with that seems impossible at the moment? What if, instead of forcing an immediate fix, you trusted that a solution exists and gave it space to reveal itself?
The answer might surprise you.
What problem will you trust to have a solution this week? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.
