Dec 29 - 7 Things to Do at the Beginning of the Month

Dec 29 - 7 Things to Do at the Beginning of the Month - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Mon, 12/29/25

Updated: Mon, 12/29/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

December 29, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Obtain and set up your 2026 calendar. Write in birthdays, anniversaries, standing appointments, etc. Then take a few minutes to flip through the months so your brain can start to “see” the year ahead.

7 Things to Do at the Beginning of the Month

There’s something quietly powerful about the beginning of a new month. It’s a natural pause point...a chance to reset without the pressure of a big life overhaul.

You don’t need a color-coded system or a weekend marathon to feel more in control. A few intentional actions right at the start of the month can make the weeks ahead feel calmer, lighter, and more manageable.

Here are seven simple, realistic things to do at the beginning of each month that set the tone for everything that follows.

1. Take a quick look at your calendar
Before the month runs away from you, spend a few minutes scanning your calendar from start to finish. Note appointments, commitments, travel days, and anything that might require extra energy or preparation.

This isn’t about filling in every blank space; it’s about awareness. When you know what’s coming, you’re far less likely to feel blindsided or overwhelmed halfway through the month.

2. Choose one small focus for the month
Instead of a long list of goals, pick one simple focus. It could be practical (“stay on top of mail”), seasonal (“refresh the entryway”), or personal (“protect my evenings”).

This one focus becomes a gentle guide, not a rule. When decisions pop up during the month, you can ask, Does this support my focus? That alone can save time, money, and mental energy.

3. Reset one space
You don’t need to declutter the whole house. Choose one area to reset at the beginning of the month, like a drawer, a shelf, a basket, or a surface that tends to collect clutter.

Clearing just one space creates a visible win, and that small sense of order often spills into other areas naturally. Think of it as creating one calm “anchor” in your home.

4. Clear out the obvious clutter
At the start of the montth, do a quick sweep. This is about removing what’s already shouting I don’t belong here. Starting the month with less visual noise makes everything feel easier.

5. Check your paper and digital piles
Mail, receipts, notes, downloads, photos...these things quietly build up. Early in the month, take a short pass through:

Incoming mail

Your purse or bag

Your phone’s photos or downloads folder

Staying slightly ahead of paper and digital clutter keeps it from turning into a project later.

6. Do a quick supply check
Look at the basics you rely on: toiletries, cleaning supplies, pantry staples, printer paper, or pet items. Notice what’s running low and what you already have plenty of.

This small habit helps avoid last-minute store runs and accidental overbuying. It’s also a good reminder to use up what you already own before bringing more into your home.

7. Decide how you want this month to feel
This might be the most important step of all. Ask yourself:

Do I want this month to feel calmer?

Lighter?

More intentional?

Less rushed?

You don’t need a plan...just a word or feeling. When things get busy (and they will), coming back to that intention can help you make kinder, more grounded choices with your time and energy.

The beginning of the month isn’t about getting everything “right.” It’s about setting yourself up with a little clarity, a little order, and a lot of grace. Even doing one or two of these things can change how the month unfolds.

On another note...
New Year, Ready for Anything: Simple Essentials to Start Fresh: Everyday items that support fresh starts, gentle routines, and a more organized, intentional year ahead.
Essentials for the New Year

The New Year Baby

Every January, the Baby New Year makes an appearance...chubby cheeks, a sash with the new year printed on it, and sometimes a top hat or diaper pin for good measure.

This baby is a symbol of fresh starts, clean slates, and the idea that the year is brand new and full of possibility. It’s whimsical, hopeful, and just a little bit silly...which is part of the charm.

The tradition goes back to ancient times, when early civilizations used infants to represent rebirth and renewal. Over time, the baby became paired with Father Time, the elderly figure who represents the outgoing year.

As the clock strikes midnight, Father Time hands things over, and the baby takes center stage, young, energetic, and ready to grow up over the next twelve months. By December, that baby will have aged into the old man once again, completing the cycle.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the New Year Baby became wildly popular in newspapers, postcards, and advertisements. Artists often dressed the baby in a sash, surrounded it with fireworks or clocks, and used it to usher in optimism for the year ahead.

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

"Thank you for yet another year of wonderful issues...can't wait for what you have in store for 2026!"
-- Jacqueline, Honolulu, HI

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Monthly Organizing Checklist:
December 2025
Finish up the year strong. Complete the rest of the tasks on my December 2025 Organizing Checklist

New Web Poll:
What's the Best Smell of December?
Which scent feels the most festive to you? Last chance to access the poll on my home page and cast your vote

"Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning’s end."
-- Semisonic, Closing Time

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Warmly,

Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

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Maria Gracia,

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