Where to Start?

Planning for the future: a neatly arranged bullet journal page with a calendar layout, pen, clip, ruler, and paper clips for organizing tasks and goals.

Finding Your Starting Point in Decluttering

One of the most common questions we receive, particularly from those looking to declutter their spaces and regain control over their environments, is the ever-pressing inquiry: 'Where to Start?'

Our top recommendation, which has proven to be effective for many individuals and families alike, is to begin with something as fundamental as paper!

Whether you're a homeowner trying to maintain an organized living space or an entrepreneur managing the influx of business-related documents, paper often finds its way into our homes and workspaces in various forms. It can come in the shape of bills, important notices, school assignments, or even creative ideas jotted down on the back of napkins. The sheer volume of paper can quickly become overwhelming, leading to clutter that not only affects our physical spaces but can also contribute to mental stress.

I don't know about you, but I really dislike the daunting task of moving piles off counters and tabletops. It seems like these piles of mail, schoolwork, to-do lists, and miscellaneous documents endlessly grow and multiply, creating an atmosphere of chaos and disorganization. Each time I think I’ve tackled the mess, it seems to reappear, sometimes in even greater quantities than before, making it feel like a losing battle.

To combat this persistent issue, let's give all those incoming papers a 'home' by utilizing a drop zone container. This simple yet effective solution can be placed in a common area of your home, such as the kitchen table, countertop, or entrance table. It’s essential to discuss this organizational system with everyone in the household to ensure that everyone is on board and understands its purpose. Label the box clearly with the word 'Papers' to signify its function. The idea is that any incoming paper items should go directly into this designated box, creating a single point for all paper-related items. To maintain this system, set aside a specific time each week for processing the contents of the box. While it’s common for people to forget to put things in the box initially, and sometimes a week of processing might be missed, it’s important to remember that this is just the beginning of a promising journey toward a more organized life. We will encourage everyone to keep placing papers in their new 'home' and work towards consistency in processing, reinforcing the habit over time. Once this drop zone container is established, you will notice a significant reduction in the overwhelming piles that often clutter flat surfaces. And when you need to find 'that one paper,' you’ll know exactly where to look, eliminating the frustration of searching through stacks of disorganized documents.

Since this is a shared system intended for everyone in the household, we want to keep it simple, leaning toward a macro, visual system that is easy to understand and maintain. Over time, as you become more comfortable with the process, you might consider adding additional files to the box. These could be labeled with categories such as 'Action', 'To File', 'School', and so forth; these are just a few macro categories to think about that can help streamline the process further and provide clarity on where specific types of documents should go.

Each week, during your scheduled processing time, you’ll take the opportunity to go through the papers that have accumulated in this temporary 'home'. During this process, you will shred any unnecessary documents to protect your privacy and security, while also filing those that need to be stored in more permanent locations. This weekly ritual not only helps keep your space organized but also instills a sense of accomplishment as you actively manage the flow of paper into your life. By following this method, you can turn what once felt like an insurmountable task into a manageable routine, paving the way for a more organized and stress-free environment.

Not sure where to start? Sign up for our free video and discover your personal organizing styles, details of the 3S Method and more about the spaces in your home.