Taming the Paper Clutter Challenge, Part 1
Do you struggle with controlling the paper clutter in your home? You are definitely not alone! I get daily requests for help with paper clutter, so I know it’s not easy to control. I also know that it is possible with some consistent effort, and I’m here to help.
If you are ready to take control of your paper clutter, then I encourage you to take on the “Taming the Paper Clutter” challenge. I’m going to break up the project into small, concrete tasks that you can follow along with. There will be a new post in the series each Thursday.
I don’t want to simply inspire you with photos of beautifully organized file drawers and a look into my systems, but I really want you to take action and get the paper in your life under control. Therefore, each post will end with an action step for you to complete. When you complete it, come back and leave a comment so we can all celebrate your success!
This week we need to do just a couple things. First, gather up all the existing paper clutter in your home and put it in one place. Don’t get discouraged if this takes a while, because this is a one time task that you will never have to do again.
Pick out one larger container and one smaller container. These can be beautiful baskets or ugly boxes or anything in between. It really doesn’t matter. The point is that you are corralling all the paper.
Walk around your home with these containers. Put all the papers that are not super urgent or in need of dealing with soon in the larger box. This box will get set aside until later in the challenge. In the smaller container, place any papers that you really need to deal with soon (bills to be paid, permission slips that need signing, an invitation for a party you’re going to soon, etc). This way you don’t have to worry that you’ve buried a paper that you really need.
By now all the surfaces in your home should be free of paper! How does that feel? The best part is that it’s going to stay that way from here on out.
Here is the secret to keeping it that way. Find a pretty basket or bin and place it in a central location in your house. Anytime any paper comes into the house, put in the basket. When you walk in the door with the mail and you don’t have time to sort it right away, DO NOT place it on your counter. Place it in the basket. It doesn’t even take 15 extra seconds to place it in a basket. When you take receipts out of your wallet or grocery bags, DO NOT just lay them on the table. Place them in the basket. This takes me at most 20 extra seconds to walk to the basket and throw them in. When your son or daughter creates a beautiful drawing that you want to save, you guessed it – place it in the basket.
Here’s my basket that’s on the bookshelf, which is in the living room, near where we enter the house. It’s super easy just to toss the paper into that white basket.
Don’t worry too much about what’s going to happen to the papers in the basket. We’re going to tackle that next week. For now all we need to worry about is creating the habit of placing all our papers in the basket. Anyone can do this part even if you are crazy busy, because it really takes at most a few extra seconds per day.
Also, make sure you teach everyone else in your household to do the same. If they don’t right away, it’s okay, too. It will only take you a minute or two each day to do it for them, and likely they will catch on as they see your good habit.
If you often have papers that you need to deal with in less than 24 hours (like homework to sign for your kids for the next day), I would make another bin for that to ensure that nothing is overlooked or late.
There’s no rule against dealing with some of the papers before you even put them in the basket when you have the time. For example, I usually go through the mail and throw away the ads and junk mail as soon as I bring it in. However, if I happen to be in a hurry, I just throw everything in the basket so I don’t have to clutter my countertops.
Here’s a video showing you this process:
Tame the Paper Clutter Assignment #1 Recap:
Step 1: Gather up all the existing paper clutter in your home into two bins (one for things that you need to deal with soon and one for things that can be left alone for a while).
Step 2: Create a landing spot for all the incoming paper in your home, and start the habit of putting it all there.
Once you’ve completed this, leave a comment and let us know how it went. Are you still struggling? Leave a comment and we’ll try to help you.
Once you're done you can also progress to the next steps:
Part 3: Set Up a Finance Binder
Part 4: Set Up Receipt Organizing System
KerryFromBeautifulBarossa Says
Hmmm, we run two businesses from home and our paper is a mountain!! I will have to use two extra boxes, one for each business, otherwise I will quit before I start! 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorRunning home business definitely produce a lot of paperwork! Good luck!
Linda Says
I have 2 1/2 hours till I have to go to work. I will do this quickly. Thank you:)
LauraJane Says
Post authorWay to go getting started right away!
Michelle Payne Says
Thank you for producing this video. I see this as a very real solution. God Bless you and your family!
Heidi Says
This is a terrific idea. I have the perfect shelf to add a basket. This weekend I am going to pick up a basket to put on my self. I am also already thinking in my head of the places I have paper stashed. I am also REALLY excited to get rid of the junk pile on my kitchen counter!
LauraJane Says
Post authorYeah! It will feel great to get rid of all those paper piles!
Annette Says
We already do this with incoming paper, but we use a hanging wall organizer that I made a few yrs ago. Prob. is it gets so full, because we don’t go through it often enough.
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat! Yes, going through it is the next step – it can get a little full if you don’t go through it regularly.
Kaila Says
I love this! I usually tackle our mail first thing as it comes in the house, but some of the magazines end up in places they don’t belong if we don’t read them right away. I have a target gift card and now I have an idea on what I might use it in, a cute basket to house the extra paper that I don’t have time for! Thanks 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorI would totally use a Target gift card on a cute basket. Magazines can pile up fast.
E. Talamante Says
This is going to be my biggest challenge – and right at the beginning! I have boxes and boxes, files, piles, you name it of paperwork, both in storage and at home. And in my car. And…. Well, you get the idea.
I need to get it all in order, so I’m going to try to keep up with this, but it may take a week or so just to do…
Wish me luck!
LauraJane Says
Post authorGood luck! And it’s totally fine if some tasks take longer. You can totally go at your own pace.
JiEun Says
Thank you for introducing the challenge.
I like the idea of having ‘gathering place’ for all papers.
I just updated my to-do list for making the bins/boxes to gather all papers I need to deal with, whether now or later.
Let’s see how this goes!
LauraJane Says
Post authorGood luck setting up your gathering place!
MMI Says
Love the changes you are making to your blog! I absolutely struggle with paper clutter. And Hubby, well, he’s a magazine hoarder, which is an even worse affliction than paper! Maybe you can address that in an upcoming post;-)
LauraJane Says
Post authorMagazines can pile up fast. Maybe I will add a post specifically about magazines.
judith Says
Well, we’re definitevely starting something here ! With my husband ‘s business, we’ve got a lot of papers in this house !
I hope this time would be THE time we succeed ! Just need to find a box and a place to put the box in !
Thank you !
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat, you can do it!
Kate Says
What a great challenge. Inspires you to mske those small steps. I shall get started in the morning!
Alison Says
Awesome, thank you so much for posting! i love the white wicker baskets–where did you find them and are they difficult to keep clean?
LauraJane Says
Post authorI actually found a dark wicker basket and just spray painted it white. I haven’t had any difficulty keeping it clean.
Theresa Petruska Says
I have already been doing this task ;^} and recently I have begun to sort/purge/shred/pile/eliminate/empty my boxes. This is family stuff, PLUS OLD files I no longer need, PLUS recipes, PLUS nine (9) years of college papers, PLUS old business papers, PLUS etc…- so far I have eliminated 10 paper cases (the kind you find multiple reams of paper for sale in the store)… by devoting at least 30+ minutes to sorting per day (usually – sometimes… OK as often as I can bring myself to do it – lolol.) It has really begun to pay off… I found the office floor… most of it anyway… oh, I still have four (4) more boxes to fully sort… Theresa
LauraJane Says
Post authorWow, way to go! That’s amazing. I bet that feels wonderful!
HRHerr Says
I just got up and did this. Realized, I don’t have much paper clutter in my house – I just have clutter!! So I got another box and put all my “clutter” in that. Just the 1st floor. My house does look better 🙂 Thanks!!
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat idea putting all your clutter in a box.
Rhonda Says
Done! I found a great basket to use for future paper coming into the house. I can keep the paper clutter at bay now!
Thanks!
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat job!
Amy Says
Thank you for the short video, it really does help to see this done visually.
LauraJane Says
Post authorGlad it was helpful to you.
Anna C. Says
Done!
I have a 31 tote that I use for my bills and have a pocket for all the incoming bills and I found another basket that is next to my desk that I place anything in that can wait until the weekend when I have a chance to deal with it. Especially all the papers from my daughter’s school.
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat job!
Maureen Says
How bad do I need this series??!! I got the email about it in my inbox, oh about 4 weeks ago, printed it and put it on my counter!! Just found it last night. Cannot wait to get started with this first step!
LauraJane Says
Post authorLol, sounds like it might be just what you need. Good luck!
Laneka Says
Better late than never-I have finally made the first step! I am a few weeks behind but determined to complete this challenge. Thank you!
LauraJane Says
Post authorWay to go completing the first step! There’s no rush – as long as you get it done.
Ann Says
Wow perfect timing for me to read this because tomorrow is my day off to start organizing!!! The thought of dr cluttering these papers is exciting!! Thank you for the help!!!
Lorraine Says
I am going to tackle this right tomorrow morning right after I make my bed. Then while I drink a pot of coffee, I’ll sit and sort through it. Tomorrow….
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat job tackling this – hope it goes well!
Mary Says
I just found this blog through Pinterest! I really need to reduce paper clutter. We have bins, but they fill up before I can sort through them. So I have baskets overflowing with paper and end up getting another basket for the “urgent” items. I will be reading through the rest of the blogs for tips to help with this! 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorGood luck!
Gilmer Gal Says
I could not have stumbled onto this tut at a better time! Can’t wait to get started. You are my new heroine!
Cyndi Hestle Says
Great idea. Will get me a basket today! Thanks, CH
Lisa Says
I have been doing this for a short time and I love this idea! But now I have to start going through the baskets to get rid of the collected papers in both baskets or in my case 3. I get overwhelmed and give up. I’m so ready for your help to conquer my paper mountain!
LauraJane Says
Post authorIt can be overwhelming. I still have a basket of old papers left myself. My advice is to start with current papers so you at least are not adding to the piles and are getting in a good habit of going through them. Some people would suggest going through the huge backlog a few minutes a day, but I personally do best if I can set aside a large block of time and just get it done.
Peggy Says
Home business is very complicated when it comes to taking care of paper. I think it should be dealt with sooner because sometimes I can;t remember what the receipts were for by the time i get back to them.
LauraJane Says
Post authorYes, home business can add some paper complication! I agree, the sooner you deal with it the better.
Grace Says
I might have to make multiple baskets in two different rooms for this project. I’ve found that my fiancé cannot break habits formed when he was living in a one-room dorm room, followed by a single bedroom in a shared apartment. They are good habits, at least!
LauraJane Says
Post authorMultiple baskets in different rooms is great idea!
Kathy Says
I love al of your tips, helps, suggestions, videos, etc. I have already gotten to work and set up a landing spot, the “mail box” and everything goes in there when it comes into the home office. It’s not allowed to land anywhere else. I have sorted out everything we don’t need to shred or recycle. Then I went to work setting up a filing system to sort the mail into. My hubby hates that I let the mail pile up so he likes to open everything and then there is a whole new HOT MESS to deal with. NOW, he has files that he can sort the mail into, on Mondays. Then I will take care of my things on Tuesdays and he will deal with his whenever. Thanks to you…there isn’t any more hot messes!!! {{{HUGS}}}
LauraJane Says
Post authorYeah!! So glad you’ve made so much progress and found a system that works so well for you.
Jenny Says
What are the dimensions of your basket – I never seem to get one big enough and yours looks perfect!
LauraJane Says
Post authorI think it’s about 14 inches wide by 18 inches deep.
Tonya Tallulah Morris Says
Girl – I need to break the cycle of paper madness!! I get it all sorted and cleaned out and cleaned up and POOF! I see it all stacked up and piled up again. I’m starting PART 1 right now and creating a habit. You heard it first!!! <3 Thank you!
LauraJane Says
Post authorWay to go for getting started!
Debbie Says
OKAY – I THINK I CAN SEE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL! sorry – didn’t mean to yell. lol Just feel like I got this sense of “Ahhhhhhhh” as I was reading this post. Sounds Do-Able and takes that pressure off. When I have 3 kids coming home with all kinds of papers & notes, it gets overwhelming every day! I’m lucky to get everything into a bin instead of piling everything onto the middle of my kitchen table. I have a couple of baskets I use to sort other things in this way – but it really is the DAILY papers that overwhelm me. Will have to get myself another big basket for this purpose!!!
LauraJane Says
Post authorYeah on seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!
Danielle Says
Home sick today and decided that I will try to tackle this whole project today! Old receipts from doctors have been stacking up. I never want to throw things out just Incase I need them for the future. I was able to separate these papers and it was such a relief knowing that these papers will soon be completely organized. Although I wanted to take breaks i kept pushing myself to finish
LauraJane Says
Post authorWay to go!
Charlotte Says
Back in the 70s, I remember being in 7th grade and one of my teachers was an environmentalist and pressed upon us the whole save the trees thing. She urged us to use both sides of the paper, not to throw unused paper away, blah, blah. It stuck with me and ultimately, paper became my arch nemesis. I hate it and yet have a hard time parting with it. Ridiculous, I know.
But in looking at the coupons that you were sorting from your wallet, when I get those but decide I can’t or won’t use them, I’ll take them to the store with me the next time I go and leave them on the shelf by the applicable product as kind of a pay it forward thing. Figured if I can’t use them, someone can. Hmm, holding on to it for another week suddenly sounds like I’m defeating the whole purpose of decluttering. 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorGood idea to pay it forward.