I Solved the Paper Clutter Problem!

I never thought I'd share how I've eliminated paper clutter with a simple paper organization system, but here we go! This system that works so well for me came from what I learned from @TheMinimalMom and @Clutterbug in our course, Take Your House Back!

As I mentioned in the video, here's the great comment from last week's video about the course: "The 'Take Your House Back' program is worth every single dollar…& the value my family & I have received from it…well…how much is peace of mind, feelings of ease, & a calm contentment worth?
It’s kind of crazy, but I feel like I had been holding my breath for some time & can now slowly exhale. (And you guys, it had nothing to do with the dust levels here! Lol!)
As I don’t use Facebook, I wondered if that would make the program feel lacking in some way….Nope! I had no 'Fear Of Missing Out' at any time. It was a complete program regardless of my lack of Facebook abilities.
I also follow Cas & Dawn as well (& have for some time) which made me wonder if I’d see, hear, or learn anything new…Oh yeah! The combination of all 3 working together, bouncing ideas off each other, tackling real issues 'right in front of me' was a completely different experience!
There are too many 'best parts' to single out…A definite worthy spend!"

[sariahsue]

I have to tell you something. I bought your course for my mother. We watched your five-step decluttering video last night. Today, out of nowhere, she decluttered at least two bags of stuff. No mess all over the house. So fast that I didn't realize she'd done it until it was over. I know she gets tired and overwhelmed easily, but she wasn't either of those things with method. So THANK YOU!

[shellipagel]

Something that helps me with paper and scheduling is doing a monthly life admin day. Each month I set aside some time to look at all the things that are happening in the next month, make note of any cards or gifts I need to buy, get ride of any paperwork from the previous month I no longer need, do any shredding, and review any of my goals that I set for myself for the year and see what I need to put on my monthly to-do list. So glad you found a paperwork system that works for you! Cass has been someone I follow for years and years now, she is the main reason why I am as organized as I am.

[Clutterbug]

Love this!!! Vertical paper storage for the win!

[chrisjordan]

I feel like I was the "queen" of paper clutter. When we decided to downsize our home which we had lived in for 37 years to become snowbirds it literally took me weeks of almost full time work to go through and toss or shred. I had 43 years of tax returns. It gives you confidence to go on to the next problem area. Thanks for your encouragement in decluttering all the things. I have followed Cass for many years and Dawn for several years but your method/style of move it now- don't leave a bigger mess "clicked" with me.

[carynwood]

My system
1. I walk by the outside recycling can from the mailbox to the front door everytime I check the mail.
2. I make a date to clear my Sunday basket at least once a week.
3. My shredder is plugged and ready without getting out of my chair.
4. Papers we must keep go into a fabric covered box on a shelf above my chair. I just stand, pop it in, get on with my life.

[olivemaycards]

The three of you working together is really great - I have taken elements from each of you that make sense for my life. I like that you don’t all approach things the same way and that you’ve taken each other’s ideas and adapted them for your own lives.

[amyrugg]

Ok having a yearly folder is genius… that way after a year you know it’s pretty much garbage or needs filed. For example a receipt I might need if my heater doesn’t work, offers you might use this year, annual things such as yearly club info, Anything that would be garbage after a year but you might use.

[alicejump]

As a social worker now retired I have files that were required to be kept secured for 10yrs. Now I can shred them, but I feel conflicted, I am telling myself the work is done and clients have moved on, . There will still be documentation that services were provided from billing, just not individual notes! Time to let it go! My current paper piles are more involved with my own needed documentation! Going to use broad categories for today’s mail and leave other accumulated mail for next rainy day!

[allisonmiller]

I’m currently listening to your book “Decluttering at the speed of life” it is so good and motivating and you are so funny. I’m truly soaking it in and enjoying every bit of it.

[LorreneRomanic]

I have been using a rectangular basket as a "Time Will Tell" bin after seeing Dawn talk about it earlier this year. It's nice to have a place to put catalogs, etc. that I'm not sure that I'm done using. And then when I go through it, it's pretty easy to declutter since I haven't used the papers in so long. I have tried so many methods for dealing with paper clutter over the years. I'm getting much closer than I've ever been, but still not paper-clutter-free.

[marilynmay]

Thank you Dana! It’s good to hear that you are learning from Dawn and Cass. I’ve heard each of them refer to you too. I am so grateful that all of you are teaching all of us how to do what you do. Keep it up, I’m looking forward to what you share in the future. ❤️

[shannonelliott]

You helped me get a handle on my mail, so much! I mean, I worked at the Post Office, but I still needed you to tell me to throw out my junk mail! Thank you, Dana. It was years ago now. Love your ministry.

[locaolive]

I trully cannot believe it has been a year since I've started decluttering my house. The concept of the container and your videos of your steps through to having less, along with the ideas of not pulling everything out and that better is good were like an apokalypse to me and have changed my life. Thank you for sharing with us your tips. I love your videos of decluttering at the speed of life and that you seem genuine.

[emmelia-]

Yay Dana! Thank you for going through this! Over the past 8 months you 3 ladies (your books, videos, and course) have changed my home so much for the better. I went through the old (like, 20 years old) file cabinet and ditched the many bulging "to file" folders. No more "to file" folders! They're nothing more than Procrastination Stations. Now I limit what makes it from the mailbox into the kitchen, open everything, and from there have only four categories to put away: an "action" file, a "home improvements" file, a "taxes" file, and a cute basket for "time will tell." Making things easy to put away has been key for me with paper and with everything else in the house. 10 thumbs up! :-D

[pamelagroves]

I THINK THIS ONE IS GONNA WORK!!!
🎉
Oh my, I can feel the relief already.👏👏👏

[Yeshuafollowercathy]

I totally agree with the sort it straight away, I was terrible for not sorting envelopes because I didn't want to have to tear the plastic windows out to put them in the paper recycling - I researched it and found out today - I don't have to! They can go straight in, that's reducing my paper clutter instantly. I'm ridiculously happy over such a tiny thing that everyone else probably already knows.

[azlizzie]

My recycling bin is right next to the door that I walk through on the way in from checking the mail. I have more practice identifying junk mail, but my spouse is learning to throw stuff away before letting it enter the kitchen too.

Considering how to reduce the friction further, I kinda want to put my shredder next to the recycle bin. Make it even easier to get rid of sensitive paper trash.

[Kristemamber]

For real, you're changing my life. I've needed your recommendations and ideas for so long! I'm chipping away at things and feeling so much better about my house.

[vivianhudacek]

Have watched you, Cass, & Dawn for awhile now. I always enjoy the videos. I also have your books. Paper is the absolute bane of my existence! Thanks for another good video.

[carrotgold]

This video was really helpful. I am not struggling with kitchen, bathroom, clothing or crafts. But I have boxes and bins of decades old papers. I have filing cabinets and a 36 shelf literature organizer. I am a bee 🐝. Starting with the 3 vertical, visual categories will help me tackle the aged papers 🤪🥴