You’ve told me so many times: “I struggle so badly with paper clutter!” When asked what your biggest home management struggle is, you say that you just can’t get a grip on all the paper junk that seems to be taking over your house.
I’ve been thinking on this like a cow chews on its cud…that just means, a long time. I like analogies.
In The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, and then again in her second book, Spark Joy, she tackles this subject head on. I highly recommend reading both books, but for the sake of your immediate need to get rid of this problem, I shall paraphrase for ya…and I like that as much as analogies.
Also, if you’d rather skip this and have a listen, I’ve got a You Tube video of this post at the bottom.
How to Declutter Paper:
Discard everything. The end.
If only it were that easy, right? But really…it is.
When trying to get out from under all your paper clutter, think of it this way – you need to decide what to KEEP, not what to TRASH. It makes the process so much easier for you.
As you’re looking through a stack of papers, it’s easier to think “Hmmmm, I should probably keep this one.” Instead of “Dude, look at all this junk I have to decide to throw out.” See? Easy.
Pending
Tackle your paper clutter all at once. It might take the entire day, but think of how much better you’ll feel when it’s DONE. And going forward, with the right mindset, hopefully you won’t find yourself buried in the same stack.
Don’t stop to take care of things as you’re deciding what to keep. Instead, have a box where you can place “pending” items. Doing this will help you get done faster – because as we all know, stopping to do something can eventually lead to SQUIRREL!!!! Oh…what was I doing a minute ago? I forgot. Let’s go watch Netflix.
As soon as you’re done with your work, immediately set to working on your pending items.
What should you keep?
When it comes down to it, you really need very little paper in your life. You should keep items you need for taxes. You should keep things that make you joyous. You should keep butter until you eat it. That’s a good rule.
- Course materials. Just chuck these, dude. I can honestly say from all the classes that I’ve taken online, if I don’t implement my new ideas IMMEDIATELY, I just don’t. I never go back and re-read that stuff. Take a class. Implement what you learn. We need to start doing things NOW instead of always waiting. When we wait, we do nothing.
- Statements. Try to go paperless if possible. If you can’t, as your bills and statements come in, verify them immediately, make payments if necessary, and then shred OR keep those needed for taxes.
- Warranties. You should have ONE place to keep all these types of things. Keep the warranty stapled to your receipt. And when it expires, use it as kindling in the woodstove.
- Manuals. I rarely keep manuals. Honestly, I can only think of one that I’ve ever even consulted. And yet, they can quickly take over your home…because even your watch comes with one! Anything you need can be found online – and if the world comes to an end and we have no internet, then you probably won’t be concerned with how to use a certain feature on the coffee pot.
- Greeting Cards. This is a doozy. Let me set you free. Just throw them all out. Marie Kondo says that once you receive and read a card, it has fulfilled its purpose. You can discard it with joy. I used to keep all the cards I received. They literally filled boxes in my attic. Now, they are all gone and I don’t miss them at.all. However, now as cards come in, I do keep ones that spark joy or happiness.
- Clippings. Pitch them, unless you have plans to display them. If a certain clipping brings you lots of happiness, don’t store it in a drawer. How can you see that?! Find a way to display and enjoy it. Otherwise…bye, bye Newsday Weekly article.
What has worked for our family
Clear “Treasure” Boxes
Each one of us has a clear tote box in our closet – it is in this box that we keep “treasures.” Each person chooses what to keep. For example, in mine right now you might find: positive pregnancy tests, letters from Barry, and a few things the kids colored for me.
Having ONE area to put such items keeps the mess to a minimum and helps us really decide what is important to keep.
Expanding file box
We have two expanding file boxes in our “office” area. One is for personal, one is for business. We keep EVERYTHING needed for taxes or warranties in these boxes.
If you keep stuff spread everywhere, you’ll never find it.
As your paper items come in, immediately file them in the appropriate file. This method alone has saved us piles and piles of paper mountains.
I said immediately. That means right now. Stop making piles “to do” on your kitchen counter. Ouch.
And there ya have it. Ways to rid yourself of your paper clutter NOW. FOREVER.
You can do this. I believe in you.
I also keep a three-ring binder for my younger children, and they keep their special drawings and papers in them. Some of my children even have a birthday notebook, where they keep all their cards, pictures, from their birthdays, day-of-their-birth mementos, like footprint card, etc. , instead of tossing them all into a box. That way, they have a nice keepsake book to look at occasionally, instead of having a disorganized box of stuff to sort through. Sometimes I also take a special drawing that one of my children draw or color for me, and put it in a frame on the wall, that way I can enjoy it for a while, and that child feels special knowing that their artwork to me is being displayed.
All great tips! I love the idea of having a binder for the kids art work. That does make it much easier to enjoy their projects. Definitely a way better option than just rifling through a box of disorganized papers. Thanks for sharing, Jeanetta!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
I keep my manuals and receipts of household items purchased in a three-ring binder. I have saved a lot of money by doing this, because when a part goes missing, or a product has a problem, I can call or email, and I have had a lot of companies send me a part for free, or send a replacement for something that does not work right. If I had thrown out the receipt or the manual, I probably would not have been able to have those taken care of. I really like having the manuals at my fingertips, in case I need to look something up for a product that I need to refer to about. I just separate products by category, and put most of the manuals and/or receipts in plastic page protectors. It is very handy, and I guess I could say it brings me joy to do this, because it saves me a lot of time looking something up, rather than getting on the internet to find a number or website. I also have a few very old products that probably don’t even have an online manual for, since they were manufactured so far back.
Love the ideas. I have a question about health insurance items like paid bills/receipts, do you keep any of those?
Thanks
Yes. In the file box in the photo. 🙂
Such good advice! i’m working on tidying our house now and will keep these in mind when we get to paper!! I have my work cut out for me! 🙂
You can do this, Sarah! You CAN!
That saves me. Thanks for being so seebsiln!
I especially love the reason to get rid of greeting cards. I felt guilty about throwing away Christmas cards with a families’ montage of their “year in photos” type of cards. While I loved to see distant relatives or friends’ photos, I would store them with the Christmas decorations and not know what to do with them the next year. I will now keep the ones that spark joy.
My kids enjoy looking at those throughout the year, so I just leave them out. Then when they get torn (they always do), they get thrown out. And we enjoyed them while they lasted. 🙂
Stacy instead of throwing away all those greeting cards put it in your scrapbook cut out the pictures the things that bring you joy and then put the pictures inside I did this for my wedding. I putand all the pictures and cards that I got and it made an outstanding wedding album
That’s one of the ideas she recommends in her book for things that spark joy!
thank you I needed help on this Gods blessings
You’re welcome, Elena!
Thanks for the info. I’ve read the 1st book, think I’ll order the next one. Tell the crickets to go home. No, I’d like to hear some now and then. You can’t here with all the kids! They’d be scared to set foot in here.
LOL That made me giggle!
Thank you – I read Marie Kondo and started with some of her methods , this is a next logical step in the process.
Good luck, and godspeed!
I, too, said that all the paper had to go as my storage system, while organized, was getting too big. I converted most of my paper docs to pdf (yes, this took some time) and have been following this system for several years now, I don’t get hard copies of any statements, bills, etc. – I just download them to my laptop. So, I still have it all…but just in electronic format – even manuals. Instead of taking up so much space in my house, all that data and information is stored neatly on several hard drives and I can actually get to it faster than digging through mounds of paper, binders, and tote boxes.
Super good job finding the system that works for you! And you’re probably right – most of us a keep manuals, but then can’t find where we store them. Ha!
I loved the book and I can’t say my home is completely tidied yet, but the principles have stuck with me. I got rid of SO MUCH PAPER CLUTTER and it was amazing!! I was shocked and horrified when I first read her advice to throw it all out. In my mind I argued with her. Turns out it is possible to only keep what you need and love!
Ha, ha, Miriam! I argued with her concepts a lot until I read the book – and then it was just like things clicked for me.
I have a filing cabinet that is screaming for attention and needs to be downsized (preferably eliminated!). Thanks for the reminder! It’s on my to-do list now!
You got this.
I disagree with throwing away all paper manuals; in particular, I often refer the manual for my pressure cooker. Yes, there are items that you don’t really need manuals for, but for things that have detailed use instructions, I don’t want to have to rely on the internet for a manual, especially since websites don’t always work when you want them to. (I’m having that problem at work right now, which is why I have a moment to post this comment 🙂
🙂 I talked about that very thing in the video. Keeping manuals that you use often is a-ok. But if you’ve never cracked that puppy open, you can discard it with glee! 🙂
Hahah! I love the paraphrase! That ’bout sums it up!
Paraphrases are my hobby. Okay, not really.
Last summer I tackled our home office files, which were organized but entirely too voluminous. Taking this task on at one time was the key. I shredded for days! Amazing how much peace this gives you when you open the file drawer! Excellent scope.
There is something super satisfying about shredding papers – or in my case, burning them in the stove. 🙂
Ha, ha, well I overheated the shredder several times so our methods are close!
Ha, ha! Yes, it seems they are. 🙂
Stacy I was listening to your scope yesterday on this subject. My 7 year old daughter was hanging around but I didn’t think she was listening. She reminds me of Annie in that she draws lots of pictures and holds onto so many little things so as you suggested I gave her a treasure box and told her once it was full, some things had to go. It really has helped but now we have to tackle all of the school paper clutter. Before her bedtime last night, I found her in her room, sorting through her treasure box and all of her papers trying to organize them. She said “Stacy is right. We must always keep on top of our clutter, especially the paperwork.” She continued to mention things you said in your scope. You really got through to her. This mama thanks you!
Oh my goodness! THAT TOTALLY MADE MY DAY! WEEK! YEAR! You give her a big ole hug from me. 🙂
Growing up, my Mom would have a trashcan in the living room, and as things would enter the house, she would deal with it right then. (This was before paper shredders I think). She would keep bills to be paid, trash items as needed, and clip and sort and stow away coupons etc. Deal with it immediatly rather than letting it pile up
Baby girl is so precious! 🙂
That is one smart mama you have. 🙂
Having just moved I am painfully aware of how much junk we have accumulated! Monday was a big cleaning day for us and it was sooo freeing!
Moving is the PERFECT time to declutter!
great ideas ! thanks – I have wayyyy tooo much!
The good news is, it’s easy to take care of the problem! 🙂
Great encouragement! I have boxes in our bedroom that have been there for 2 YEARS! I need to get rid of them ASAP!
Things in boxes are easier to get rid of. Ha ha! 🙂
Great read. But not my owner’s manuals!! We have moved and it was nice to have a manual,which is filed in a file “Owners Manual”, for the snow blower/thrower I can never remember how to start when the snow flies. I could use the World Wide Web to “search” for the manual but it would take me so long to find it and I could see myself getting distracted being on the internet. Although I am motivated to get rid of manuals of items i no longer have.
Absolutely – keep manuals you use. But discard the ones you’ve never even touched. 🙂
I de-cluttered years ago and tossed cards from my grandma, thinking it’s okay -I have the memories, but I regret that now, because my memories are fading, so now I save things from close loved ones, like my daughter, our parents, and my sister-in-law who hand-makes her cards (because I know the effort she put into them and they are gorgeous.) I also save the ones from my husband’s aunt because she is kindhearted, but nuttier than a fruitcake, and her annual Christmas letters are hilarious.
Other paperwork is stored in page protectors in a 1″ binder on my ‘office shelf’ in our extra room bookshelf. We go through that regularly to keep it clean.
I’m so glad you’ve determined what cards bring you joy! 🙂 And yes, going through stuff regularly helps you stay on top of it. Good point!
GREAT! I struggle with this.. thanks for the tips and knowing it is ok.. to throw stuff away 🙂
Yes! And if you doubt, you just holler at me. 🙂
I’m going to come back and read this when I’m more alert. But for now, maybe I missed it – do you have a shredded you recommend?
No, we just burn stuff in the woodstove. 🙂
I’m reading this as I stare at a pile of papers and bills next to the overflowing basket of papers and bills sitting on my dresser.
Hi, my name is Laura and I hoard junk mail.
This all makes so much sense. I have a whole file dedicated to manuals for gadgets, half of which I don’t even have anymore. I just need to chuck all this stuff! Thanks for the kick in the pants!! Lol
I can always be counted on for a good kick in the pants!
Thank you for the advice and motivation. I need help the most in the paper de-cluttering department and will remember and put to use your helpful suggestions.
I’m so glad, Debbie! Please let me know if I can help you in the process.
This was awesome information – thank you so much. I have just begun doing the clothes Marie Kondo style (mine and my husbands) have to do ours and kiddos separately, and I am so excited and pumped up to conquer the paper clutter that is consuming my life. These ideas are so helpful. I have 3 kids (youngest 13) and I think I have like 3 big totes full of their personal items so like the clear box idea and only 1 (is this a big box or small one?).
Thanks again!!
It’s bigger than shoe box…maybe like the size of a boot box?
Love this. Paper gives me hives. I struggle with 4 kids to cut back on their little cards and art but I’m trying to let go and only keep the most important ones that bring me joy otherwise we will drown.
Girl – I totally feel you. Keep the favorites! 🙂
We use clear treasure boxes too! I disagree a teeny bit about the greeting cards. I used to throw them out too. Then my dad was killed in an accident and I happened to come across the last birthday card he had written in for me (3 weeks earlier). That was precious. So now I keep cards from my parents, husband and kids in my plastic treasure box and discard the others.
We struggle too with school papers. Ugh! My solution: I designated one wall in the house for each child. They can display whatever they like on that wall through the school year. When the wall is full they have to decide what to keep or throw away. Often they choose to keep the pieces that I would not have chosen. I also have 2 three ring binders (one for each child) labeled “This Year”. This is where I keep all of those papers that come home from the teachers about logins for homework, contact info, etc. At the end of each school year these get tossed. Yes, I could store this information my computer or smart phone but having it in the notebook makes it accessible to everyone (kids, hubby) who is helping with homework.
I love your wall idea! Great thinking. 🙂
As far as the cards, I talk about that a bit in the video. Those that are just signed with a name, I don’t keep. But if someone has taken the time to write me a note (like Barry), then I might decide to keep those. But I had boxes and boxes of old greeting cards in the attic that I never glanced at after opening them. Those had to go bye-bye.
Oh I need help with recipes -yikes! I print and I print and I print and I tear and I tear and I tear and then I never make them. I should trash them I know, but it’s so hard!
I used to print recipes too, Melissa – Until I started storing them on Pinterest! Now I only print (on scrap paper) when I need to make one and I only keep our very favorites – all in one binder. 🙂