Feb 6 - Ask Maria: How to Begin Getting Organized Step-by-Step

Feb 6 - Ask Maria: How to Begin Getting Organized Step-by-Step - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Thu, 02/06/25

Updated: Fri, 02/07/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

February 6, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Choose one article of clothing that you never wear because it doesn't fit right. Say goodbye to it today. Either donate it or add it to your rummage sale box.

Ask Maria:

How to Begin Getting Organized Step-by-Step

GON Reader Question from Carolyn Hewko

How do I begin getting organized, step by step? I am totally disorganized! I need your help.

Response from Maria

Hi Carolyn,

First of all—take a deep breath. You are not alone. Getting organized can feel overwhelming, but I promise you, it's doable. The key is to start small and take it one step at a time. Here’s a simple plan to help you begin:

Step 1: Pick One Small Area
Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Choose one tiny area—a single drawer, a small section of your kitchen counter, or even just your purse. The goal is to build momentum with a quick win.

Step 2: Declutter First
Before organizing, remove anything that doesn’t belong. Ask yourself: Do I use this? Do I love this? If not, it’s time to donate, toss, or relocate it.

Step 3: Create a Simple System
Once you have only what you need in that small area, find a logical way to store it. Use containers, baskets, or dividers if necessary, but don’t overcomplicate things. The simpler, the better.

Step 4: Maintain Daily
Getting organized is one thing; staying organized is another. Build a tiny habit—like taking two minutes at the end of the day to put things back where they belong. Small actions repeated consistently make a huge difference over time.

Step 5: Move on to the Next Small Area
Once your first area is done, celebrate! Then, pick the next space and repeat. Little by little, your home will transform, and so will your peace of mind.

Just start small, stay consistent, and be kind to yourself in the process. If you have more specific questions along the way, just ask.

P.S. I absolutely love Valentine’s Day and always enjoy finding gifts that are both adorable and practical. I’ve handpicked these treasures to help you share joy, gratitude, and a little extra love.

The Mysterious World of Dreams

Ever wake up from a dream that felt so real you had to take a moment to figure out if it actually happened? Scientists are still unraveling the mysteries of dreams, but we do know that they mostly occur during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, when the brain is almost as active as when you’re awake. Some theories suggest that dreaming helps process emotions, solidify memories, or even act as a problem-solving tool.

Fun fact: You forget about 90% of your dreams within the first 10 minutes of waking up!

And while dreams can seem random, some are incredibly common—like dreaming of falling, being chased, or showing up somewhere completely unprepared.

If you wake up from a jarring dream, take a few deep breaths, sip some water, or focus on a calming thought. Reminding yourself that it was just a dream can help you shake off the unease and ease back into restful sleep.

Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know!

My Newest Issue of

Anything and Everything

Is Now Available...
PLUS 10 Bonuses and
ALL of the 100+ Back Issues
Only Until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 7th

For quick details about this fun, informative resource:

Click Here for
Anything and Everything

If you don't already receive it, it's a wonderful time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything. When you do, I'm giving away 10 Bonuses and ALL of the Back Issues (100+ issues)...Complimentary!

Here are the topics in the February Issue...

From Winter Blues to Rosy Hues
Lift your spirits and warm your heart with this mood-boosting February checklist

Heartfelt Connections
25 meaningful and thoughtful ways to show love, appreciation, and care for those who matter most

Presidential Love Letters
You’ll love these romantic and heartfelt sentiments penned by presidents from The White House

Thinking About Downsizing?
What you need to know to make your downsizing journey smooth, stress-free, and successful

Be Heart Smart
Easy-to-follow lifestyle improvements that support a healthier heart and a longer life

Love Where You Live
Transform your home into a haven with these 10 impactful and budget-friendly upgrades

Organizing from the Heart
Practical ways to tidy up and preserve your most sentimental treasures

Cozy Comfort for Chilly Nights
Warm yourself and your family up with this quick, easy, and hearty recipe for homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Quirky Days to Celebrate
Add joy to your life with these fun, offbeat February holidays

We have thousands of readers who LOVE this resource...and I'm certain you will too.

P.S. BONUS SPECIAL...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 7th: When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will get tons of bonuses, plus ALL of the 100+ back issues COMPLIMENTARY!

Click Here for
Anything and Everything

NEW GON Member Bonus!

As a valued member of GON in Five Minutes!, you get exclusive bonuses whenever new ones are available, PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones. This month's bonus is:

Heartfelt Thanks:

A Guide to Writing Memorable Thank You Notes

Say thank you with ease and sincerity. My complimentary ebook, includes 25 detailed examples for every occasion—from receiving a gift to lending a hand or simply being there. Whether you’re thanking a friend, neighbor, or loved one, this guide makes it easy to express your gratitude with warmth and meaning. Exclusively for my subscribers.

Claim this printable and explore my vault of other complimentary resources, including my printable 2025 Organizing Calendar, click here

February 2025 Monthly Organizing Checklist:

I just published my NEW February 2025 Monthly Organizing Checklist. It contains an organizing TO DO for every day of the month...already thought out for you. I hope you love it!

February 2025 Monthly Organizing Challenge: Acts of Kindness: Kindness has the power to transform both the giver and the receiver, creating a ripple effect of positivity that brightens the world around us. These Acts of Kindness Challenges are designed to encourage small but meaningful acts that can bring joy to someone’s day, foster deeper connections, and remind us of the beauty in simple gestures.

GON Reader Web Poll: Which of these items would you find hardest to part with during a decluttering spree? Cast your vote in the poll on my home page and let me know. Results will be published in this newsletter next month.

Results of last month's poll: Last month I polled GON Readers and asked, "When it is snowing outside, what is your favorite thing to do?" Here are the results, along with a whole bunch of personal reader comments

"The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose."
-- Arnold Bennett

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comment, suggestion, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

How to Use This Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will find stories, ideas, inspiration, links and more to help you live a less stressful, more organized, more fulfilling life.

We encourage you to apply these ideas to your own life AND share them liberally with your family, friends, and fan base via email, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, other social media outlets, and in person, of course!

When you share, please mention my name and web site - Maria Gracia - GetOrganizedNow.com as the source.

Thank you for helping to spread the gift of organizing far and wide!

-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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You'll lose the tips, reader ideas, reader clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer you each month.

Plus, our ezine is designed to use Repetitive Reminders in every issue to help you make "small" organizing actions a permanent part of your mind -- and your life. You may not even realize how much more organized you are becoming -- automatically.

And you will accomplish all of that in less than 5 minutes a day!

Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown Wisconsin 53094
USA

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