Mess, that is really what gets me. When my space is cluttered and a mess I become paralyzed. I lose the ability to think or function. So now you understand why paper and the paper monster are my nemesis. Whether it is at home or work, I cannot tolerate paper on my desk. When I have paper sprawled on my desk, my productivity decreases. 

I do have a lot of decorative items and functional storage pieces on my desk, but I need the surface clear to work.  Not only do I want my space clean, but I want it to be beautiful, so I decorate my work space in a way to make me happy and creative.

Paper is my nemesis.  If there is one thing I do not manage well, it is paper. I have a system that works, a filing cabinet with all life’s papers organized by subject. When I need a paper, if it has been filed, I can find it easily.  The problem is getting paper filed.  

So much paper comes into my life. I love mail, but the daily delivery of paper adds the the disorganized heap that lays on various furniture pieces. I need to find a way to manage the incoming mail. Don’t worry, I sort immediately when mail comes in, mine, my husband’s, and I place junk mail directly to the recycling bin.   The problem is: I am either not disciplined or I don’t have enough time to manage paper weekly. Beyond a week of management, and then a paper monster is created, creating a sense of overwhelming mess. 

I have seen a few ideas to try and manage paper that comes in, but honestly I haven’t tried any of them.  I am not really sure why.  So my goal over the next month, try a system and see if it works.  Below I have attached a few links that shares tips on managing the monster.

So after doing some research I am going to try to implement an action file and the Freedom Filer system.  Hopefully this will be the year I tame the paper monster.

Organized Home–Paper Management

The Clutter Wizard

Simplified Living Solutions

I am one of those annoying people, naturally organized.  Life has taught me something though, most people are organized, it just isn’t pretty. What is organization?  Organization is the ability to find something the moment you want it or need it. If you can’t find it, then the organization system isn’t working for you. 

There is no right or wrong system for organizing.  I have tried several options for various parts of my life.  Sometimes I am lucky and find the perfect system for me right away, other parts i am still working on finding my perfect system.

It is okay to try and fail when organizing.  Pay attention to why the system didn’t work when you fail, usually that will give you the greatest insight into what works.