Home offices can turn into storage spaces for random stuff so easily! This can make them so hard to declutter. I love this story from one of you, sharing how working through the process, even in an overwhelming situation, works.
If you don’t know what process I’m talking about, you can check out my decluttering page for lots of links, or for a step by step guide to decluttering, check out my book: Decluttering at the Speed of Life.
I want to share an update. I cut the boxes in my home office in half mostly by getting rid of easy stuff and duh items and trash. Those first three steps have really helped me.
Now I am at the hard stuff with 15 boxes to sort.
I am finding the hardest step for me is containerizing this room. I have 2 book shelves, 2 desks and a reading chair in this room along with a closet with a filing cabinet and a shelving unit for office supplies.
I like to delay decision-making and having to put everything away as I come across it is teaching me a lot.
I have to declutter books and office supplies in the moment, and wow! So hard.
But I can’t add any more containers to this room or it will impede its function. So, containerizing is what I am doing and redoing and redoing. Again and again in this small room.
I just wanted to tell you that your system works for me. It is a lifesaver in fact. My secret hoard has always been papers and my office. And I am actually getting through them. Even if all I do is toss trash and easy stuff at first it helps me keep going and keep going. And keep going.
Yes, you can share it. I don’t mind at all. I have read every organizing book out there but none of them spoke to me in such practical, concrete steps as yours! So, I want people to know how helpful it has been.
Thanks,
A Writer from Utah.
Christine P says
This is a timely reminder for me: start with getting rid of trash and easy stuff. Much of my house is currently a frightful mess but it’s good to realize that doing just these two easy steps will make a huge difference. Among other things, they will make a much cleaner and thus happier setting from which to later tackle the harder stuff.
Jen says
I do the same, no buying containers unless I absolutely need to! Currently Spring cleaning my entire house, room by room everything comes out of a cabinet, closet, etc., and the only rule is LESS goes in than what came out! I had an AHA realization this time that there are things that go with other things (lids to bowls that NEVER get used, like in 10 years) that I keep taking out to clean around and keeping just because they “go with” the bowls…well, those left the building now, no more cleaning around something that serves no purpose!
Beth says
My office space is paralyzing. I now realize I don’t have to organize it, but declutter. I have been going in for 5 minutes and can clear one ‘container and feel somewhat satisfied. I can identify duh items… the calculator I picked up at a garage sale 3 years ago and have used one time!! Slowly learning to go through piles and file, shred, or recycle PAPER clutter. Can’t wait to have my room back.
Linda N says
I love your philosophy and it has helped me so much. I’ve decluttered FOUR THOUSAND pieces of paper in the last six weeks. I’m really still in the duh items. I don’t NEED receipts, bank statements and paperwork over ten years old. Those are going first. I started with a goal of 50 sheets per day. Then I upped that to 100 when it got so easy. Now some days I do up to 800 without breaking a sweat. I’m finally seeing space in my filing cabinets and have many empty containers to show. Thank you so much for changing my life for the better. My daughter and I have a bet on final count. She says 10,000 and I bet 5,000. I think she may win but in the end we both win. I finally can use my filing cabinets efficiently and she won’t have to go through any of it when I’m gone!
Dana White says
Wow! I love hearing this!
Carrie Doty says
I am currently reading your wonderful book “Decluttering At The Speed Of Life” and it is already making an impact in my life. I have ADHD so I get distracted very easily and I also am a perfectionist to boot. Thank you so much for your honesty.