DROWNING IN PAPER? Here’s How Conquer Paper Clutter Once and For All!

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I know you’ve gone through your papers so many times, and somehow, they just keep coming back. It’s like trying to shovel snow in Antarctica—pointless and endless.

But seriously… is there really a way to keep up with all that paper?

YES. Follow these steps and you’ll reduce that paper storm to no more than a light flurry. ☃️

Step 1: I’m Gonna Sound Like Your Therapist for a minute but hear me out:

Getting organized is totally psychological—so yes, we’re going there.

Here’s the truth:

You need to get over your fear of paper.

99.9% of paper is replaceable.

Have you ever heard of someone who went to jail because their house burned down and they lost a paper? Exactly.

Sure, some documents are a pain to replace (like birth certificates), but be honest: how many of your papers are really that important?

( We’ll talk about how to store the important ones later.)

Take a deep breath. You’re safe. Your paper can’t hurt you. 😂

Step 2: I Want You to HATE Paper.

Yes, really. I want you to completely flip your mindset.

From now on, paper = enemy.

Here’s your new habit:

Sort the mail next to the trash can.

Do not bring it into your house unless it’s been vetted.

• 99% of mail? Trash.

• Invitation? Write it on your calendar and toss it.

• Event details? Copy them down and let the flyer go.

Let’s be real—keeping the invite doesn’t help you remember when and where to go. You’re still late and confused either way 😅

Step 3: Time for the Dreaded Paper Purge

This part isn’t fun—I’m not going to lie.

But if you do it right, you’ll never have to do it again.

Here’s the mindset:

Almost everything can go.

• Ask your accountant what he really needs.

• Scan the few things that matter.

• Toss the rest.

Do whatever it takes, but get that paper pile down to a baby pickle-sized stack. 🥒

Step 4: SHRED.

Shred all documents with any personal info.

Here’s a shredder I recommend for basic home use.

If you’ve got a ton to get rid of, stores like Staples offer shredding services that are much faster and more affordable than buying a commercial shredder.

Step 5: Create a Super Simple Paper System

Let’s keep the paper clutter from creeping back in. You only need three categories:

Category 1: Important Documents

Birth certificates, passports, legal stuff—these belong in a safe place, preferably a professionally installed safe.

If not, a good alternative is this:

• Fireproof bag for storing important papers

Category 2: To File

This is where most people go wrong.

You’re saving too many papers, and no one likes to “unfile” stuff later.

Keep this category small—use a compact box like this:

• Small file box for permanent papers

  
  

Category 3: Short-Term Papers (To Do or To Keep)

• To Do: Got a bill to follow up on? Add the task to your to-do list and keep the paper here temporarily

• To Keep Temporarily: Like a receipt for a possible return.

Store these in a magazine holder or shallow drawer like this one:

• Magazine file for short-term papers

And here’s the kicker: don’t organize it too well.

Yup, I want you to have to dig through it now and then—that’s what helps you naturally toss what’s no longer relevant.

We’re not building a paper museum. We’re stopping the snow from falling.

That’s It!

That’s how you organize your papers so they don’t pile up forever.

You’re not trying to archive the Library of Congress—you just want your dining table back.

Stop the snow, shred the mess, and enjoy your paperless peace. 🙌

• A checklist PDF

• Instagram carousel slides

• A printable cheat sheet

Happy to help!