Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Clutter Busting

Paper Clutter Challenge Check in

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For the month of May, I challenged myself and you to do a Paper Purge.

Have you joined me? If not, it is not too late. If you have, what insights have you gained?

One of the ways that I am getting rid of paper is to stop it in the first place or handle it as it comes in. Here are some of the tips that I have employed this past week:

  • Handle mail as soon as it comes in: toss, recycle, shred, scan or place in an action folder (requests for donations).
  • Stop tearing out recipes from magazines and take a photo of the recipe. Suggestion: If you do not use it in a month, delete it from your phone.
  • Schedule a day and/or time to file the small numbers of paper you intend to keep for records (only save records), scan (if you did not do it when you handled the paper) and shred.

By not having a few “working” piles of paper in my visual sight this week, I have gained some space and freedom.

I am excited to create more space this coming week.

Paper Purge Challenge….May  2021 

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Earlier this year I offered up a 40 Day Declutter Challenge. Did you participate? I again learned lessons during my annual 40 Day Purge.

I was so motivated about the space I was able to free up during that time, that I am starting a Paper Purge Challenge for the month of May.

I decided on this Challenge because it works so well for me to have a target period of time for a commitment. And I also realized that sometimes by challenging ourselves with small tasks, we can be motivated to move outside of our comfort zone.

So, starting next Saturday, May 1, I will begin my paper purge. Will you join me?

Not sure where to start, view some of my previous posts on dealing with paper piles, creating your filing system and the care and feeding of your paper piles.

Need additional support, learn how coaching can help.

A Case for Conquering Paper Clutter

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I find myself every year around the tax deadline (I still think April 15 even though this year the deadline was extended) thinking about and dealing with paper.

The challenge with paper is that there is a lot of it and it requires a lot of decisions. Each piece of paper requires a choice.

While the pandemic has caused more of us to be virtual and more electronic, there still is a lot of paper to deal with from junk mail to filing. Many of us end up with paper clutter because, as previously mentioned, we delay decision making.

Think about your paper and how it serves you. Paper is either a reference or a record. And I will also acknowledge that it can be a memory too (special birthday card or acceptance letter for example).

One way to stop paper clutter before it starts is to stop it before it enters your house. Another way is to handle it as soon as it enters your home. While another way is to determine which papers you need really keep and then handle them immediately by filing them.

Commit to conquering you paper clutter today. Start with this year’s tax documentation and determine what you need to keep a hard copy of and what can be kept electronically and then shred the rest. Starting with this current paper pile can start you on the path

Final Check in and Lessons Learned on the 40 Day Declutter Challenge

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So, the 40 Day Declutter Challenge is ending. How did you do?

I did well. Now, I will admit that there were a few days that my schedule was such that I did not have the time and/or energy to declutter, but I made sure I caught up by the end of the week. I am not counting all the small pieces from my craft supplies that are declutter, but my guess is that I averaged about five items a day in total throughout the 40 days.

If you have not already done so, get those items that you have decluttered out the door. I have my piles ready for the consignment shop and a local charity bundle donation day coming up in April. [Read more…] about Final Check in and Lessons Learned on the 40 Day Declutter Challenge

40 Day Challenge Check In

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In a previous post, I invited you to join me in a 40 Day Challenge to remove clutter from your life.

Have you joined me? If not, why not? This Challenge is a great opportunity to take baby steps into the clutter busting journey. By selecting one item daily to either toss, recycle, donate or sell it can start you on a new path to remove clutter from your home/life. And, even if you start today, you can still declutter over 20 items.

If you have joined me, I hope you are learning something during this process. I sure am. I am always in awe that even though I have done this practice for the last several years, I continue to have ah-ha moments as well as clutter that I need to let go of.

I again recognized that it most difficult for me to declutter items that have been gifted to me. Yet, giving myself permission to let go of those items has proven to be freeing. Freeing, because I realized that I am grateful for the gift and the intent and the love behind it. And, if it has severed me or I no longer use it or love it, I do not have to continue to hold to it just because it was a gift.

What can you let go of? What lessons have you learned so far?