Solutions for Paper Clutter
I’m about to break my own rule.
There are two types of clutter that I tell people to NEVER start with when it comes to getting organized…memorabilia and paperwork.
I say this because paperwork and memorabilia are often the most emotionally charged items. Plus, you get the least “bang for your buck” when it comes to organizing paperwork, meaning that you might work for hours organizing your paperwork but the physical spaces of your home may look the same when you’re done. It can feel a little defeating.
I always like to have you start with a project you can complete and see a visible change with. But I know that’s not always possible.
So often, people feel beyond stressed out about the paper clutter in their lives. Or, they may need to organize it to find things for a legal situation or big project (hello, tax season!).
How can you dive into organizing the paperwork in your life, without feeling overwhelmed?
Here are a few things that I’ve found to help make great progress on the paper clutter in your life:
1-Learn What to Keep and What to Let Go Of
It’s hard to know what to keep and what to let go of…and you can’t call your accountant every 3 minutes to ask them. I created this easy-to-reference Paper Clarity Blueprint to help you know how long to keep items, and what you can release forever. (as always, check with your accountant for details on your personal situation, but this is a great jumping-off point)
2-Start Small
Instead of trying to organize every scrap of paper you own in one weekend, start small. Set a timer for 20 minutes. Organize your paper for 20 minutes and when your timer goes off, walk away. Give yourself a break. If you want to jump in for another 20 minutes, great. But what we’re looking for here is to break the barrier to entry. Often, we feel like if we can’t organize it all at once it’s not worth starting. That’s a recipe for overwhelm. A 20-minute session is a great way to break the overwhelm and see major progress quickly.
3-Phone (or Zoom) a Friend
It can be scary to organize with others, but organizing alone can feel like its own unique kind of torture. Instead of braving it alone, ask a friend to jump onto Zoom with you and dig into your own clutter together (but from afar). You don’t need to do a show-and-tell of your clutter, you can just enjoy each other’s company while you work independently. We do this every month in the Chaos to Calm Community and it’s a total game changer. Working with others helps you maintain focus, accomplish more, and enjoy the process.
I hope these tips help you to make some significant progress on the clutter in your life.
Have a specific type of paper clutter that is making your life difficult? Comment below and tell me all about it.
I would love to support you on your clutter-clearing journey.
