Why You Don’t Need 47 Pens (and What to Do Instead)

A simple way to reset your office supplies using the 3S Method.

Stylish office essentials in black and silver neatly arranged on a vibrant pink background, showcasing a blend of functionality and modern design.

There is something strangely comforting about office supplies. Fresh pens, colorful sticky notes, new notebooks — they make us feel productive before we’ve even started working.

But over time, that comfort can turn into clutter. That was me with my office supply drawer. It wasn’t organized; it was stuffed. Broken highlighters, dried-out markers, duplicate scissors, and more pens than any human could reasonably use in a year. Instead of overhauling the whole thing, I leaned into the 3S Method.

Simplify (Keep only what you actually use)

I pulled out one handful of supplies at a time. Not everything — just enough to handle in 10–15 minutes. I asked:

• Do I actually use this?

• Does this work?

• Do I already have another one?

Anything broken, dried out, or duplicated too many times went straight into the trash or donation bin.

Sort (Give your favorites a home)

Once I had pared down, I grouped what remained:

• Writing tools in one small tray

• Sticky notes in another

• Clips, tape, and small items in a third

No fancy containers were required. Just simple groupings that made sense.

Sustain (Stop the clutter from creeping back)

Now, instead of buying new supplies “just because,” I keep a tiny running list of what I actually need. When something runs out, I replace it. When it doesn’t? I resist the urge to add more. Your office supplies don’t need to be aesthetic — they just need to be useful.

The 3S Method helps you move from cluttered to clear, without perfection or overwhelm.

Want a simple Office Supplies Sorting Guide? It’s waiting for you inside the Hopeful Simplicity Library, along with printable checklists and 15-Minute Finds for every small space in your office. Start your pre-trial at hopefulsimplicity.com/library 🧡