In January 2019, sales of storage and organization materials were up year-over-year following the debut of the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.
Even if you’re not a Netflix subscriber – or you are but haven’t watched the show – if you’re dealing with excess clutter and want to whip your home into shape, it’s time to adopt Marie Kondo’s tidying up method. If you’ve got what feels like an endless amount of papers, the KonMari method can come in handy to declutter and organize your home.
When it Comes to Decluttering Your Life, the KonMari Method May Be a Necessity
Marie Kondo’s decluttering process is not just a method; it’s a complete way of life. Kondo’s approach is what makes her method unique. She asks one question: “Does this item spark joy?” Recognizing what creates joy leads to an orderly home filled with items you treasure. It’s also a door to self-discovery, fulfillment, and mindful living.
Many decluttering methods and philosophies focus on getting rid of things, but Kondo’s ideology is simply about the mindful selection of things that matter the most.
Why Paper is Third on Marie Kondo’s List
When it comes to your home, here’s the sequence Marie Kondo follows to declutter:
- Clothes
- Books
- Papers
- Miscellaneous Items
- Souvenirs
You may be wondering why Marie put Papers third on her list. Well, the items that she ranks third, fourth and fifth are typically the most cherished items. What makes papers cherished items?
- It’s not easy to part with old notebooks that contain memories of your childhood.
- There’s no option but to collect important documents such as bills, letters, etc., and store them in one place; you never know when you’ll need them.
- You’re emotionally attached to, for example, the painting you made in school.
It’s not about the papers; it’s about what they embody.
Paper Decluttering Tips by Marie Kondo
Make the most of these tips and tricks to declutter your home effectively.
Classify the Papers
First and foremost, organize your papers into different categories and piles:
- Papers that require maximum attention (unfilled forms, unpaid bills, etc.)
- Papers you need at present (warranty papers, tax-related documents, credit-card statements, etc.)
- Papers you’ll always need (mortgage-related documents, birth certificate, school certificates, etc.)
This way, you’ll be able to identify papers that you can let go. Just be sure you double-check the papers you plan to discard to make sure you’re not dumping important documents by accident.
Work with Shredding Professionals
While decluttering your home, you should partner with a professional paper shredding service provider. You’ll save time and ensure your documents are properly, securely shred. The list of documents you don’t need anymore will include:
- Newspapers
- Out of date warranty papers
- User manuals for appliances and other items you no longer have
- Personal documents
- Magazines
Remember, the exercise is about getting rid of stuff that doesn’t spark joy. So, make sure you remove all paper-related items you won’t require again.
Neatly Store the Remaining Documents
Once you’ve shredded your sensitive documents, you’ll be left with one pile that you want to keep. To store the remaining papers, divide the papers into categories, place them in different folders, and label the folders so you don’t go crazy trying to find them at a later time.
You Can Dispose of Old Electronics, Too
While you’re in the process of tidying up your home, don’t forget to dispose of electronic items you no longer use. This may include power cords, phone chargers, landline phones (yes, they still exist!), cell phones, remote controls, etc.
Ask your document shredding services provider if they also destroy and/or recycle electronics. At Paper Tiger, we offer free drop-off of electronics at our facility, and if you schedule us to pick up documents for shredding, we will pick up electronics for no additional charge.
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