Jul 6 - Cool Down with a Not-To-Do List - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Sun, 07/06/25

Updated: Mon, 07/07/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

July 6, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Grab three random items from your junk drawer and either toss, relocate, or use them today. No need to empty the whole drawer—just a quick sweep that makes a small difference.

Cool Down with a Not-To-Do List

Summer isn’t the time to pile on pressure. Between the heat, vacations, and a natural urge to slow down, it’s perfectly fine to do less and still feel great about it.

That’s where a Not-To-Do List comes in. It’s not about ignoring everything. It’s about picking your battles and giving yourself permission to put off the big stuff while focusing on lighter lifts.

Here’s a list of organizing tasks you don’t need to tackle right now—plus what you can do instead if you’re in the mood to make progress without overheating:

Don’t reorganize the whole garage: Instead, choose one shelf or bin to sort through on a breezy morning.

Don’t deep clean the kitchen from top to bottom:
Instead, wipe out the fridge and toss expired condiments.

Don’t overhaul your entire wardrobe: Instead, set aside three shirts you haven’t worn and donate them.

Don’t try to tackle every paper pile: Instead, grab a timer and sort papers for just 10 minutes. Recycle what you can and stop there.

Don’t take on a huge home project: Instead, fix one small thing that’s been bugging you, like a squeaky door or messy drawer.

Don’t aim for perfectly clear counters: Instead, pick one counter or tabletop to declutter and enjoy the instant calm.

Don’t feel pressure to organize every photo. Instead, pick five favorites from your phone and print them for a frame or album.

The goal isn’t to ignore what needs doing—it’s to scale it back so you can breathe a little easier and still feel accomplished. This summer, let your Not-To-Do List be your secret weapon for staying organized and enjoying every sunny moment.

Back to School Recommendations!

1. Back-to-School Must-Haves for Cool Kids
Fun and useful back-to-school finds for anyone shopping for kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews! From clever supplies to everyday essentials, this list makes getting ready for the school year a little more exciting. Access here

2. Heading to college this fall—or know someone who is? Don’t miss my Ultimate List of Must-Have Items for Your College Dorm. It’s packed with smart, stylish, and space-saving essentials to make dorm life easier, cozier, and way more organized. Access here

Power Word: Paradigm

Pronounced, PAIR-uh-dyme, a paradigm is a model, pattern, or framework that shapes how we see and interpret the world. It’s the invisible rulebook we often follow without even realizing it.

Paradigms influence everything—from how we organize our homes to how we approach relationships, solve problems, or run a business.

Sometimes, we outgrow a paradigm without noticing. That’s when things start to feel off or frustrating and it might be time for a shift.

Example sentence: “After years of multitasking, I shifted my paradigm and started focusing on one task at a time...and I’ve been more productive ever since.”

Today, think about one area in your life where a new paradigm could bring clarity, relief, or inspiration. A simple shift in perspective can be powerful.

Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know! Also, please forward this newsletter to 5 of your family members and/or friends and share the love!

Here's what just one GON reader had to say...

"I love your newsletter. It is inspirational. Thank you."
-- Lana Ward

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GON Member Bonus!

As a valued member of my GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter, you get exclusive bonuses, PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones. This month's featured bonus is my...

15-Minute Decluttering Projects Printable

Need a quick win? This free printable gives you 15 super-specific decluttering projects you can finish in just 15 minutes each. Print it out, hang it where you’ll see it, and check off one task every day or two. You’ll feel lighter, more organized, and instantly accomplished, one small space at a time.

Plus, my 2025 Monthly Organizing Calendar is always available for you to access...jump in this month and start tackling those organizing tasks with ease.

To access these free resources, click here

July Organizing Challenge: Summer Bucket List Challenge: Whether you're craving fresh air, creative inspiration, or a little personal growth, these 10 themed summer challenges will help you stay focused while enjoying everything the season has to offer. Ready to dive in? Take the challenge here

July Monthly Checklist: July is the perfect time to refresh your spaces, stay on top of summer messes, and prepare for back-to-school and late summer travel. My July 2025 Organizing Checklist features 31 unique tasks that help you stay clutter-free, clean, and ready for anything. Access my July Checklist

Results of Last Month's Web Poll: Your dryer cycle just ended. What do you do? Access the results of this poll including a bunch of GON reader comments.

New Web Poll: What clutter zone is the most frustrating for you? Vote in my GON Reader Poll on my home page and let us know.

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

-- William James

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!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:

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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!

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-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown Wisconsin 53094
USA

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