Q+A - How Do You Handle Paper Clutter?
Quite a few readers asked me about how I manage clutter in my home. I have decided to treat paper clutter separately from other forms of clutter as the systems I use are so different from one another. We will focus on one at a time. You can see that I have broken down the paper clutter problem into different areas with possible solutions and a convenient supply list to help you get started. But before we to that…
Connect to Your Why. What is the WHY behind wanting to take on paper in your home? Do you have one? If you feel less than super motivated—you may not need to make this change in your life right now. And the truth is… without a compelling why, you are much less likely to be successful at attempting to simplify and organize in this area. That is just fine. Go pour yourself a hot drink and grab your favorite book! I will have another post for you next week!
HERE ARE SOME POTENTIAL WHYS.
You can’t find important papers when you need them
You feel stressed out at the piles of paper growing around you
You desire a simple way to be able to set aside your children’s mementos without spending hours sorting through their school papers or the latest pictures
Your children can’t find papers when they need them
Embodying the value of organization if it is important to you that your children are organized
Do you have another reason you are wanting to simplify? What is it? I would love to hear it!
WRITE DOWN THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS.
What are the sources of your paper clutter? Is it junk mail, receipts, bills, your children’s papers and/or mementos, birthday cards, etc…I love this question for allowing you a better understanding of what is needed and where.
Where do papers tend to accumulate in your house? The kitchen table, a side table, a drawer, all over in piles? The majority of my paper systems are in the kitchen or where we enter the home. I invite you to consider this option. Accessibility is everything.
SIMPLE STRATEGIES
For children’s school papers, journals, art pencils, projects, photos, and pictures. When my children were growing up, each child had a bin with their name on it. You can use cute baskets (color code them or attach name tags) if they are going to be seen or you can functional white plastic bins if you are storing them in a closet. If you are choosing plastic, I like the ones that are drawers. I stored these cubbies in the places where we most spent our time. In Seattle, I used a deep wood shelf filled with art supplies and simple toys. I kept the bins in plain sight on the higher shelves. When we moved to Logan, I had a closet off the kitchen that allowed for a more tucked away system. The idea here is that the baskets or cubbies need to be easily accessible. They need to be as close to where the paper enters the home as possible. As papers, pictures, projects, and meaningful writings enter the home—that is where they go. When the cubby or basket is full, the child has a sorting session as a task. My kids would play music and really cherish the process. For younger children, you may need to decide when/if they will be introduced to the process of keeping and getting rid of things. You may want to offer assistance or check their work when they are finished! At the end of each school year, we would transfer the most nostalgic items into their memory boxes (see below). So you have cubbies/baskets that are accessible and fairly fluid (with items regularly moving in and out) and memory boxes that may be kept in their rooms.
Shopping list items: Baskets or plastic bins for each child. Name tags or permanent marker to write child’s name.
For Keepsakes. Memory boxes are for more permanent items. They can reflect each child’s personality. I just went to Michaels and found decorative boxes large enough to store a good amount of art, papers, small objects, and any other small nostalgic items (like their newborn hospital bracelets). It has worked wonderfully well.
Shopping list item: One memory box for each child.
For Photos. Photos are initially placed in the storage cubbies during the week. Amidst the sorting session, it can be determined if the photos are to keep. Consider a photo box for each child as a place to keep photos for long-term storage. All of my children have scrapbooks for most of elementary school (some are more embellished than others). My first two children have more memory albums than my last two. Sad but true. Photo boxes are wonderful as I can slip photos right in there. If I decide to scrapbook the photos later, they are in order and ready to go. If not, they are organized and protected. I keep the photo boxes with the memory boxes in the child’s bedroom up on a closet shelf or now that some of my children are grown—they actually have chests where they store all of this stuff! If you have another storage area that makes sense, go for it!
Shopping list item: One photo box for each child.
Incoming Mail. Mail clutter is something I deal with right away. When my hand touches the mail, I am moved to action! I sort right there and only keep what I need. The rest immediately goes into the recycling bin under the sink. I recommend having a bin right in your kitchen where you can easily access it (I am sure you have this already!) I rarely get bills anymore as we are on signed onto paperless billing. Isn’t that a simplifier?
Shopping list item: Recycle bin that fits in your kitchen
For All Other Papers. I have a filing folder box that I have at the ready at all times. This is my secret weapon! I prefer to keep this as close to my kitchen as possible. I love the box as it is compact, accessible, and easy to use. I always pair this with an incoming basket for all of the papers that find me during the week but I may not have time to file. As I open mail or get important receipts or copies of medical records, I place them in that tray. You can also designate a “To be Filed” folder into that file box— that you empty and sort from time to time. Papers incoming? They go into that box or file. Bam! Do it! I empty about once each week or when the tray or folder gets full. It is so easy to file papers into the right folder. I have a file for my health receipts or statements of coverage for this year, clothing receipts, tax forms, household receipts, car titles and maintenance histories. I also have a file folder for each child here. I keep their immunization records or release forms for sports. Anything that I want to keep track of.
Shopping list items: File folder box with appropriately named files for all your paper needs! Make sure it will tuck in a kitchen cupboard or other place that is accessible! A tray or file folder designated as a “drop zone” for during the week.
There is nothing particularly special or genius about my paper sorting system—other than it works for me! I genuinely love the feeling of knowing where important items are. I hope this post has been helpful for you to see some ideas about how to manage paper clutter. What are some benefits you have seen from organizing paper clutter? What are ways your organize your important papers? What system works best for you? I would love to hear your insights!
