Dare Divil Collective

the iPhone is one of those tools that’s just there. You see it on your screen every day, but most people overlook how powerful it really is. Apple has quietly added features that make it a serious productivity companion — from adding notes and locations inside events to sharing full calendars with family or coworkers.

With the latest iOS updates, using Calendar feels more natural than ever. You can check upcoming events with a quick glance at your widgets or even ask Siri to show what’s next. In this post, I’ll show you how the Calendar app can help you organize your day, manage relationships, and stay productive — no matter how busy life gets

Step 1: Know What You Want to Focus On

Before you even open the Calendar app, sit down and think about what areas of your life need structure. For me, I juggle a few different roles: content creation for my YouTube channels (VoiceOver Pro and Unseenh Adventures 8), running my website, doing audio work, and volunteering for a nonprofit called Blind United Inc. Each of those areas comes with its own list of tasks and meetings — and that’s why organization is key.

I use a strategy called time blocking. It’s exactly what it sounds like — setting chunks of time for specific types of work. I usually draft my blocks in the Notes app first.

For example:

8:00 AM – Coffee and first laundry load (half-hour block)

8:30–10:30 AM – Content creation block for filming, editing, or researching

Later blocks – For Blind United tasks, emails, or meetings

Starting my day with that creative block helps me get into a productive rhythm. Once you list your main priorities, it becomes clear what deserves its own space on the calendar.

Step 2: Create and Organize Your Calendars

Apple lets you create multiple calendars to keep things separated and tidy. By default, you’ll see two: “Home” and “Work.” But you can create more — for family, your partner, or specific projects.

Here’s how to create a new calendar:

1. Open the Calendar app.

2. At the bottom, tap the middle tab called Calendars.

3. Scroll to the bottom and select Add Calendar.

4. Choose Calendar (not holiday or subscription).

5. Give it a title — like Family, Work Projects, or Me and Monica.

6. Select which account to save it under (iCloud, Gmail, etc.).

7. Add anyone you want to share it with in “Share With.”

8. Choose a color if you like, and make sure Notifications are turned on.

9. Tap Done in the top right corner.

That’s it — your new calendar is ready. Anyone you shared it with will get a notification, and events you add will automatically appear in their calendar too. For example, my family calendar includes events for my kids and their mom, and my “Monica” calendar helps us plan date nights or errands together.

Step 3: Manage and Automate Your Events

Now that your calendars are ready, start adding your time blocks from Step 1 as events. You can include detailed notes, attach links, or even add a location that connects with Maps. If you’re using VoiceOver, everything is accessible — just flick and double-tap to move through fields.

Pro Tip: Siri sometimes defaults to your main calendar, even if you have others. A good workaround is to use Shortcuts to create events hands-free and make sure they save to the right calendar. Until you build that shortcut, you can still tell Siri things like, “Create a content block from 8:30 to 10:30 on my YouTube calendar.”

Why This Matters

When I skip scheduling my day, time seems to vanish. The day flies by, and I’m left wondering where it went. But when I plan ahead and keep everything in my Calendar, I notice a huge difference — not just in productivity but in peace of mind.

The Calendar app might not look flashy, but it’s one of the best tools Apple gives us for staying on track. Whether you’re managing work, family, or creative projects, a well-planned schedule gives your day direction and balance.