Step One to Begin Home Organization Project

Part One (Organizing) on Martha’s Stewarts Organizing book starts by saying this: “No organizing toolkit is complete without a well-tended planner.” I have been using paper planners (I have tried using my phone and it just didn’t work) for about four years and I truly enjoy them. The fact the book mentions a planner as the first step gives me hope.

I will be using two planners to help me during the year for home organization:

1. Simplified Planner - Academic year (August 2020 to July 2021) Daily layout. I tend to use academic year because it is easier for me to keep track of the kids’ school dates. This lay out allows me to break down my day and take notes as needed. I need to write things down to feel less overwhelmed but also as reminder of what needs to be done.

2. Home Binder – this is the family planner (I have been using this system for a year). I add all the information needed for the year in this binder.

For example:

a. Yearly Budget

b. List of home projects

c. Meal Planning (not my favorite)

d. Information for each member of the family

i. Clothing/shoe sizes

ii. Gift wish lists

iii. Medications

According to the Martha Stewart’s Organizing book the first step is:

· to plan each month with home maintenance to-dos, doctors’ appointments, and special occasions.

o She has included a calendar with her ideas on the seasonal items we should be looking for each month.

**Martha Stewart's Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home & Routines Book**

As I am understanding it, it is worth planning the year with these items at the beginning. This way it doesn’t go off our radar.

I will be taking this week to sit down and schedule all this information down. I want to make sure I include:

· New habits (daily, weekly or monthly) that I need to create.

· Seasonal to-dos (suggested in the book by month) which I am not doing now but want to add to keep the house organized.

I will share next week what these items will be for the month of January. Stay tuned!