Bust a Move: Category 3, Paper
What’s in this pile, stuck in the middle or crushed on the bottom? Filing vertically helps solve these mysteries.
Paper doesn’t take up as much physical space as other categories. It does take up mental space. And here it is in the middle of the KonMari™ categories, an uphill climb with lots of decisions to be made and with less of *wow* factor when compared to the impact of other categories on your space. It is easier to store paper out of sight, jam it into a folder or a drawer, and move on…until you’re looking for that one thing. It might be in this pile here or another pile over there. Let’s make it easier for your future self to find what you need.
Think action and simplicity.
Paper represents actions to be taken- bills to pay, responses to invitations, materials to read, important documents to file. Question any urge to create complex subcategories for paper. Separate into broad categories. The examples below represent some of the types of paper you’ll find. This list looks different in each home. (If you work from home, work-related paperwork should be handled separately.)
Act now- bills, rebate forms, permission slips, invitations
Keep temporarily- car related paperwork, tax documents, contracts (check terms), reading material (magazines, newsletters)
Keep forever- birth certificates, wills, Social Security Number cards, passports
Sentimental- photos, journals that will take time to process, kid artwork. Move to the sentimental category, which is the last KonMari™ category.
Tips for the paper category:
Store vertically. Piling paper on top of paper sets you up for frustration. How do you feel when you look at a stack of papers and wonder what may be at the bottom, tucked in the middle etc.? Just like clothes it will be easier to see paper that is stored vertically.
Deal with incoming mail immediately and do what you can to stop it from coming in in the first place. Sign up for electronic billing. Remove yourself from catalog mailing lists.
Keep paper where you will use it. Tuck coupons into your wallet or car glove compartment.
The good news is that you’re likely to find peace through action in this category. And almost every client I’ve worked with on paper has found money in various forms- unused gift cards, checks to be cashed, actual money, and one unscratched lottery ticket. Tidying up pays off!
Keeping it as simple as possible and looking out for the future you will help you get it done. Bust a few moves and create a simple flow and storage process for paper.