Clear the Clutter: Your Office Reset Starts Here

Bright and organized home office featuring a laptop on a wooden desk, accented by a lamp and a potted plant, with shelves stocked with books and decor in the background.

Let’s be honest—when your office is a catch-all for papers, cords, markers, sticky notes, and forgotten receipts, productivity takes a back seat. You might feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up because your space is, too.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to do it all at once. Let’s break it down.

1. Start with the Desktop Work Zone

This is your command seat. Clear everything off—yes, everything. Now only put back what you use daily. Laptop, charging cord, a notebook or planner, and maybe one pen. Everything else? Find another home or consider if it needs to stay at all.

Try this:Ask yourself, “If I had to pay to keep this on my desk, would I?”

2. Reset the Command Center

Whether it’s a whiteboard, wall calendar, or digital dashboard, your calendar space should be functional and focused. Toss old sticky notes, outdated reminders, and cluttered visuals. Add only what helps your week flow.

Try this:Limit the number of active to-dos visible at once. Your brain can’t prioritize a list of 40.

3. Trim the Office Supplies

No one needs 87 pens and 14 kinds of paper clips. Pick your favorites and donate or discard the rest. Categorize what you actually use—writing tools, mailing supplies, paper goods—and group them into small containers or drawers.

Try this:If it hasn’t been used in six months, it's just taking up space.

4. Deal With the Paperwork & Files

Papers pile up fast. Recycle old notes, outdated documents, and mystery forms. Use simple folders: one for “To-Do,” one for “To File,” and one for “To Toss”—and sort weekly.

Try this:Switch to digital when you can. Scan and shred old files to cut down on clutter.

Declutter to Reclaim Your Energy

Clearing out your office clutter isn’t about perfection. It’s about removing the noise so you can hear your thoughts and take action with less stress. Start small. One drawer, one surface, one pile. You’ll gain momentum as you go.

Want guided help? The Hopeful Simplicity Library includes 7 rooms, 30 small spaces, and 90+ audio or guided recordings—including your office reset. It’s just $9/month or $99/year.