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Do you struggle to stay organized? Today, let’s look at step 1 in getting organized. How do you really declutter your home? Do you feel like clutter overwhelms you and steals your peace of mind? If so, you are in the right place. I cover everything related to organizing, cleaning, and decluttering here on my blog. First, let’s look at the first step to guide you in getting organized.

STEP 1: GETTING ORGANIZED

Hi, I’m Dee, and I relate to you if getting organized is a struggle. I especially relate after having 3 kids. I used to keep a very clean home and had a place for everything, but life has a way of happening and somehow our systems fail as we try to keep everything in balance. If you are anything like me, you need simple steps. The first simple step to getting organized that has worked well for me is starting with a daily calendar.

STEP 1: GETTING ORGANIZED

As you struggle to stay organized, a daily planner will keep your sanity in check. You will establish a way to keep up with your “to do” list as well as schedule those important dates and appointments you can’t afford to miss.

Step 1: Getting Organized

If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email for you to print and personalize.

This is your first and most essential step to getting yourself organized. Whether you keep a written calendar or a digital version does not matter. What matters is that you actually look at it and refer to it daily.

Step 1: Getting Organized

Why should using a calendar be the first step to getting organized?

Using a calendar as the first step to getting organized is beneficial for several reasons:

Step 1: Getting Organized
  1. Establishing a Framework: A calendar provides a structured framework for organizing your time. It helps you create a routine and allocate specific time slots for different activities, providing a foundation for better organization.
  2. Clear Visualization: A calendar offers a visual representation of your schedule, making it easy to see your commitments and deadlines at a glance. This clarity is essential for effective planning and coordination.
  3. Priority Setting: When you start using a calendar, you are prompted to prioritize tasks and events. This initial step is crucial for identifying and focusing on what needs to be done first, helping you avoid feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list.
  4. Time Management Skills: Adopting a calendar as the first organizational tool encourages the development of essential time management skills. It helps you learn how to estimate the time required for different tasks and allocate your time effectively.
  5. Preventing Overcommitment: By using a calendar, you can assess your availability and avoid overcommitting yourself. This prevents the stress and inefficiency that can arise from taking on too many tasks simultaneously.
  6. Building Consistency: Establishing a routine through a calendar promotes consistency. Regularly scheduling tasks and activities helps build habits, making it easier to stay organized over the long term.
  7. Reminder Functionality: Calendars often come with reminder features, which are valuable for ensuring you don’t forget important appointments or deadlines. This helps you stay on track and reduces the likelihood of missing crucial tasks.
  8. Setting Goals: The act of using a calendar prompts you to set goals, both short-term and long-term. Breaking down these goals into manageable tasks and scheduling them on your calendar provides a roadmap for achieving them.
  9. Adaptability: A calendar offers a flexible platform that can be adjusted based on your evolving needs. If unexpected events or changes occur, you can easily modify your schedule to accommodate them.
  10. Immediate Impact: Incorporating a calendar into your organizational routine can have an immediate positive impact on your productivity and efficiency. It provides a tangible tool for taking control of your time and responsibilities.

In essence, using a calendar as the first step provides a practical and tangible approach to organization, helping you manage your time, set priorities, and establish a foundation for a more organized and productive life.

Step 1: Getting Organized

Why is using a calendar a great way to get organized?

Using a calendar is a great way to get organized for several reasons:

  1. Time Management: A calendar helps you allocate specific time slots for different activities, allowing you to manage your time effectively. It helps you prioritize tasks and ensures that you dedicate sufficient time to important activities.
  2. Visualization: A calendar provides a visual representation of your schedule, making it easier for you to see your commitments and deadlines at a glance. This visual aid helps in planning and coordinating activities efficiently.
  3. Prioritization: By using a calendar, you can prioritize tasks and events. This allows you to focus on what needs to be done first and helps prevent last-minute rushes or missed deadlines.
  4. Organization: Calendars help in organizing your life by categorizing events, meetings, and tasks. Many digital calendars also allow you to color-code or categorize events, making it easier to distinguish between personal, work, or other commitments.
  5. Reminder Functionality: Most digital calendars come with reminder features, whether it’s pop-up notifications on your phone or email reminders. This helps ensure that you don’t forget important appointments or tasks.
  6. Goal Setting: Using a calendar allows you to set short-term and long-term goals. Breaking down larger goals into smaller tasks and scheduling them on your calendar can make them more manageable and achievable.
  7. Reduced Stress: Having a well-organized calendar can reduce stress by providing a clear overview of your schedule. Knowing what to expect and being prepared can contribute to a sense of control and calm.
  8. Coordination with Others: Calendars facilitate coordination and collaboration, especially in a work or team setting. Shared calendars enable multiple people to see each other’s schedules, making it easier to plan meetings and events.
  9. Flexibility: A calendar provides a flexible framework that can be adjusted as needed. If priorities change or new tasks arise, you can easily reschedule or rearrange your calendar to accommodate these changes.
  10. Record Keeping: Calendars can serve as a record of your past activities and achievements. Looking back at your calendar can be a helpful reflection tool, allowing you to learn from past experiences and plan more effectively in the future.

Overall, using a calendar is a powerful tool for organization and productivity, helping you manage your time, set goals, and stay on top of your commitments.

STEP 1: GETTING ORGANIZED

So, get started with the calendar first. Then, let’s go a few steps further into getting organized. You can subscribe below for daily tips.

 I am going to walk you step by step into a system of organization that will restore your peace of mind. It will take effort, and it won’t happen overnight, but you can do this! If you can devote thirty minutes a day, five days a week, you can create peace from the chaos.

We are going to start with a daily planner to help you accomplish step 1. Step 1 in getting organized is having a system in place to mark your daily schedule and To-Do list. This is an essential first place to start in getting organized.

Without a daily calendar or written/digital schedule, you can’t expect to get organized. We don’t need to rely on our memory to get things done and be wherever we need to be. I have been using a daily written calendar since I was 17, and I still use one (I’m 45 now.)

My kid’s schools even start issuing the kids calendars in junior high. These written calendars give the kids a place to write down their daily assignments and their due dates. This is essential to their success in school, as it is essential to getting organized.

STEP 1: GETTING ORGANIZED

So, for now, on your quest to get organized, let this be your first step. Get your daily calendar in place and start writing in your appointments and “to do”list today.

Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.

Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.

Need to Declutter Every room? How do you really declutter your home? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below.

Step 1: Getting Organized

Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can find that here.

Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.

How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.

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How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.

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How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.

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Happy Decluttering!

To Subscribe to this Declutter Series, drop me a comment below. Your email will be sent to me but will not be posted publicly. You’ll receive a daily declutter task via email for the daily task we are working on. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Need some Inspiration to Declutter? Join us for the Year Long Through Declutter Series by subscribing by email below.

Happy Decluttering!


We declutter 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. The Year Long Thorough Declutter Series is designed to help you declutter every room and every closet in your home. You can sign up here. How do you really declutter? When you subscribe you’ll receive a daily task in the room or area we are currently working on decluttering. To Subscribe, leave a comment below.

New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:

Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.

Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.

Step 3: Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Step 4: Use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered. 

Interested in becoming a full-time blogger like me? Check out my blogging series. At the top of every page on my blog, you’ll find a drop down menu. Just select the BLOGGING category.

Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com: 

14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered

How to Do A 1 Day Declutter

How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule

How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter

What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?