April 1, 2025

Notion for Newbies: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started (Without the Tech Headache)

New to Notion and feeling like your brain might explode? Been there. This is the guide I wish I had when I started – no tech jargon, just real talk, easy visuals, and a free starter kit to get you up and running fast.


What Is Notion (And Why Everyone’s Obsessed)?

Notion is like if Google Docs, Trello, and your favourite productivity planner had a really smart baby. It's an all-in-one digital workspace where you can plan your life, run your biz, track your habits, organise your thoughts, and create workflows that actually work for you.


Whether you're a side hustler, busy parent, student, or creative dreamer with ADHD (🙋‍♀️hi, same), Notion molds to your brain instead of forcing your brain to mold to it.


And that? Is rare magic.


How Notion Works (Without the Overwhelm)

Here’s the tea: Notion is built with blocks. Think of each block like a Lego piece – you can move it, duplicate it, format it, or turn it into something else entirely.


Each Notion page is just a blank canvas filled with:

  • Text blocks
  • Headings
  • Checklists
  • Toggles
  • Databases (tables, calendars, lists)
  • Embeds like YouTube, Spotify, Google Maps

It sounds like a lot, but once you drag-and-drop a few things, it clicks. And if it doesn’t? That’s what I’m here for.


STEAL MY CALM WORKFLOW METHOD (LITE)

From Chaos to Clarity. Your complete system for running a profitable, peaceful photography business without burning out.

  • A calm, clean command center
  • Automation that doesn’t feel robotic
  • Space to create — and still make bank
THE CALM WORKFLOW METHOD LITE
EXPLORE THIS TEMPLATE

Why It’s Perfect for Creatives, ADHD Brains & Biz Owners

Notion isn’t a one-size-fits-all planner. It’s a shape-shifter. And that means YOU get to create a system that makes your life easier, not messier.


It works for:

  • ADHD minds who need visual hierarchy, toggles to hide chaos, and flexible routines
  • Photographers or creators who need a content planner, client portal, and workflow hub in one place
  • Mamas & biz queens who want to track everything from grocery lists to invoices
  • Students juggling projects and notes

Bottom line? Notion is for humans with big dreams and busy brains.

Download All of My Free Notion Templates to start mapping your own flow.


What You Actually Need to Start

Spoiler alert: you don’t need 500 templates.

You just need:

  • A homepage (aka your command center)
  • A daily/weekly planner
  • A goal or task tracker
  • A notes page
  • A space for something that matters to YOU (content, biz, health, finances...)

And lucky you – I bundled all of these into one freebie: my Notion Newbie Starter Kit. Just download it, duplicate to your workspace, and you’re ready to rock.


THE CALM WORKFLOW METHOD LITE

🌟 Get Your Free Notion Newbie Starter Kit

This kit includes:

  • A minimal, aesthetic homepage
  • Weekly + daily planning pages
  • Goal tracker
  • Brain dump / notes space
  • Bonus video walkthrough to help you set it up
EXPLORE THIS NOTION TEMPLATE

Your Next Steps (Let Me Guide You Further)

Now that you’ve started your Notion journey, don’t stop here. In Part 2 of this series, I’ll walk you through how I organise my ENTIRE life and biz in Notion – the exact dashboard I use every day.


Plus, if you're ready to level up, my Notion Etsy store has aesthetic templates you can plug-and-play instantly. No tech stress. Just clarity and calm.

READ PART 2 HERE

SHOP MY EASY-TO-USE NOTION TEMPLATES

You’ve got this. 💖

Amy-Lee