DECLUTTERING: STOP PILING...START FILING!
THOUGHTS THAT GET YOU INTO TROUBLE:
"Just for the time being."
"I'll do it later, when I have time."
"I'll do it later if I have the time."
"I'll just put it here with the other stuff."
"I'm not in the mood right now."
SOUND FAMILIAR?
NEWS FLASH: JUST BECAUSE THERE'S AN EMPTY SURFACE DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING ON IT!!!
WHEN DO YOU START? NOW!
Eventually is here. It has to get done at some point otherwise you'll get buried under everything. First steps:
Clear off a surface and put a clean sheet on it. (Dining room table, a bed, etc.)
Take one pile and sort the papers according to topic. Don't read them and decide whether or not you need to keep it just yet. Just categorize.
Set up either file folders or even boxes labeled with the category names and put each paper in the appropriate file.
Do one set of piles at a time, spending about 15-20 minutes. That's all, (unless you can tolerate more).
Continue doing this until the clutter has been totally sorted into the specific categories.
NOW designate one bag or box for shredding or tossing.
WHAT ARE YOU LEFT WITH?
Filed necessary papers. and probably a "to do list"based on what you found.
Contact me for more explanations, hints, shortcuts and more!
