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Sep 01
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Sorting Paper Clutter With The F.A.S.T. System

By Blog, Expert Articles, Organizing Paper Files No Comments

It’s easy to get through sorting paper clutter with the F.A.S.T. system!

 

I’m so excited to unveil this tried-and-true strategy that I’ve perfected over the past two decades. This approach has helped 1000’s of my clients navigate through years of paperwork.

 

From collections of the tiniest scraps to entire storage rooms filled with archive boxes, I’ve seen it all! I’m here to guide you through the steps of this simple and effective method for conquering your paper clutter.

 

As someone who has dedicated years to organizing and streamlining paper systems, I’ve developed a handful of techniques that allow you to swiftly sort without feeling overwhelmed. The goal is to make paper organization a manageable – and even enjoyable! – process 🙂

 

Did you know that people spend a significant amount of time each day searching for information amidst clutter? Imagine what it would be like to reclaim that time… maybe it’s an hour a day, which builds up to five whole hours a week. What would you do with all that extra time? You could finally be able to redirect it toward activities you truly enjoy but never have time to do or a side hustle you’ve been trying to get off the ground for years!

 

So let’s dive right into my top 10 strategies for decluttering your spaces and taming those unruly paper piles.

 

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Sorting Paper Clutter With The F.A.S.T. System

 

 

  1. Start with the Visible Piles First

When tackling paper chaos, begin with what’s right in front of you. It’s tempting to dive into hidden storage spaces that we know are the fullest. But visible clutter is actually the perfect place to start as it will help our minds feel the best throughout the rest.

 

Whether it’s your kitchen counter, home office desk, or any other surface, designate one spot as your starting point (to make this even more efficient, gather all the scattered piles into one location, like a laundry basket). This strategy is about seeing quick and immediate progress. As you clear the visible piles, you’ll start to feel motivated by the transformation of the newly cleared surfaces! Starting with this visible clutter sets a positive tone for the rest of the process, and you can visually enjoy all your hard work along the way. Let those shoulders drop and release.

 

  1. Gather Your Supplies

 

Before you dive into the actual sorting process, ensure you have the right supplies at hand. Grab a few boxes, baskets, or bins – even a shoebox will do. You’ll also need post-it notes and a pen. Label each box: “File,” “Action,” “Shred,” “Recycling,” and “Other Room.” Setting up your sorting station streamlines the process and helps you make quick decisions about each piece of paper. This is because you’ll already have a place to categorize them for the next step.

 

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  1. Implement the F.A.S.T. Method

 

Here’s where the magic happens🪄

 

F.A.S.T. stands for “File,” “Act,” “Schedule,” and “Toss.” So as you are sifting through your paper piles, apply this acronym to each piece. Does the paper require filing away for future reference? Is there an immediate action to take? Should it be scheduled into your calendar for a specific date? Or is it something to get rid of through recycling or shredding? The F.A.S.T. system cuts through the drawn-out decision-making process, making sorting much more efficient. Simply File, Act, Schedule, or Toss – repeat this mantra as you go through your papers, and watch your piles disappear.

 

  1. Pick Out The Bulk

 

To make the most significant difference in your paper piles, focus on thicker items first. Gather all magazines, binders, file folders, and bulky documents. By addressing these items early on, you’ll see a noticeable difference in the physical volume of your stacks. This visual progress serves as a great motivator to keep you going!

 

 

  1. Create Your “Action File System”

Designate a space for your “Action File System.” This will be the area for papers that require action but not immediately. Whether it’s a bulletin board or an in-tray, this simple system keeps your pending tasks front and center. Nearby, keep a stack of post-it notes and a pen handy. Each paper should have its next steps outlined clearly on a post-it note or written directly on the paper itself. These clear action steps ensure you don’t miss important tasks, won’t forget what you had to do with something, and help you to stay organized.

 

 

  1. Designate a Command Center

 

Establish a command center for new incoming papers. This central location (which could be a section of your kitchen counter, entryway table, or shelf) is where you’ll manage all the paper that enters your home. When deciding where this will be, think about where your most common “drop zones” are. Keeping an “in-tray” or basket here for mail makes it easy to sort as soon as it arrives, plus you’re already autonomously dropping papers there anyway. Easy habit change! By handling incoming paper at your command center often, you prevent clutter from spreading throughout your home and can streamline the sorting process.

 

 

  1. Going Paperless

 

Where possible, transition to a paperless system. Opt for digital statements, bills, and receipts when you can. Utilize your phone or a scanning device to digitize existing paper documents. While going fully paperless takes time, the long-term benefits in terms of reduced clutter are undeniable! If you’re a business owner like me, going paperless can even allow you to work remotely. Since I’ve been committed to going as paperless as possible, I’ve done about 80% of my business just through my smartphone.

  1. Stick to a Consistent Routine

 

To maintain an organized paper system, establish a regular routine to keep up with it. Designate a specific time each week to process your paper. Whether it’s Sunday evening or a half hour after work each day, setting aside time for paper management will ensure tasks don’t pile up and become overwhelming again.

 

 

  1. Schedule Time to Tackle Backlog

 

If you’re dealing with a backlog of papers, take a methodical approach. Set aside some time in your schedule to address this backlog whenever possible. Aim for an hour each week, then increase it to a few hours a week, or as much time as you’d like to dedicate to the paper project. Remember, this is an ongoing process, so be patient with yourself and your progress. as you work on solidifying these habits. It may take a while to reach your goals, but each day you make progress is another day closer!

 

 

  1. Involve Family Members

 

Share your paper management system with your family members. Ensure they understand how the system works and encourage their participation! Organization is a great thing to bond each member of a household and keep everyone on the same page. Plus it is a great skill to teach little ones!

Conquering paper clutter is 100% an achievable goal, and implementing these strategies will set you on the quickest path to success!

 

The key is consistency and customization. Tailoring your approach to fit your preferences and lifestyle will help you incorporate these new habits without a rough adjustment period. As you clear the paper piles and establish efficient systems in your home and office, you’ll be sure to enjoy more organized and stress-free living and working spaces!

 

Which strategy will you be implementing today? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

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How to Organize a Year of Kids’ School Papers

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Aug 25
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1-Minute Habits For A Neat Home

By Blog, Quick Organizing Tips, Simple Living No Comments

What if I told you that it only takes a few simple 1-minute habits for a neat home and digital space?

 

After all, everything in life is comprised of small habits that all work together toward a bigger picture.

 

Decluttering can seem like a never-ending task (in some ways it is), and on top of that, most people never know where to start. I’m here to help break down this stereotype! I want to share with you some 1-minute habits that you can start implementing today. These are going to make big differences in the piles of clutter that you may be noticing around your home and digital spaces (think photos, files, videos, messages, etc.).

 

Keeping clutter at bay in your home is easier than you think. With these few simple habits, you can maintain your clutter day by day instead of letting it pile up into an all-weekend event. Because let’s be real, who wants to spend a bunch of evenings and weekends decluttering? Not me!

 

In this article, we’ll explore 13 simple 1-minute habits for a neat home that can make a remarkable difference in keeping your home organized. But first, I recommend you start by filling out this free assessment to see where you should focus your organization efforts:

 

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1-Minute Habits for a Neat Home

 

 

  1. Develop the Daily Tidy-Up:

Setting aside just one minute each day for a quick tidy-up in common areas can work wonders in preventing clutter from piling up. The goal here is to focus on one specific area that needs attention.

 

You can do this by setting a timer on your phone for a minute. Then, just look around. Where are the piles? If they’re accumulating all around your home, just pick one area for today. You can pick another area tomorrow. Maybe it’s a kitchen counter, the top of your desk, your bathroom surfaces, the pile of clothes on the floor of your closet, or the front entry’s pile of shoes.

I guarantee that if you set the timer, you could have those strewn-about shoes and coats at the front entry all hung up quickly! Everything would have a home in probably a minute or less.

 

 

  1. Commit to the “One In, One Out” Rule:

I love this rule. It works like this: every time you bring something new into your home, commit to removing an item. And really get it out of your some, because throwing it in a donation pile by your door usually means it’ll weasel its way back into your stuff again. This rule not only prevents clutter but encourages thoughtful consumerism!

 

I’ve been practicing this for many years and it’s the best clutter preventer. Many years ago I bought a new salad spinner and I had nowhere in my kitchen to put it. So I had to make room! Something had to go, so I ended up donating a kitchen item that I didn’t use. You could put it in the garage or another area, but that kind of defeats the purpose of this habit. The “one in, one out” rule helps you prevent accumulating too many things and not letting things you no longer need, go.

 

So start practicing the “one in, one out” rule today! This is a game-changer if you can master this habit. It will make a huge difference. Just think about how many items are in the average home (roughly 300,000). If you keep adding to those items, you’re never going to get rid of the clutter!

 

  1. Establish Permanent Homes for Items:

The third habit of our 1-minute habits for a neat home is to not let yourself “set it here for now.” Avoid the “I’ll just set this here for now” trap at all costs.

 

Oftentimes we’ll think, I’m just going to put this on the counter for now. Or, I’m just going to leave my sunglasses here, and I’ll throw my keys there… I’ll put them away later. Then what happens is when you need to leave, you can’t find your keys and you’re in a panic to get out the door!

 

Take the time to make sure each item has a designated, well-thought-out home. When deciding where you will keep an item think about how you would like to access it, how frequently you use it, and who else in your household uses it. Then always, always, always put things back where they belong!

 

If you truly can’t do it right away at that moment or you’re in a rush, then at least make sure you do it the same day. And make sure not to drop things in random places as you might have to go searching to find them again!

 

 

  1. Sort Mail Immediately:

Don’t let paper clutter accumulate. I’m sure we all know how grueling sorting through a ton of loose papers, flyers, and envelopes is. So to avoid this, sort through your mail as soon as you get it.

 

When I go to the mailbox, the junk mail doesn’t even reach our house. I sort it in the car after I pick it up, and when I get out of the car, I walk through the garage and drop the recycling straight in the bin. The important mail comes with me into the house, where I don’t toss it on the counter but instead file it and address important items accordingly.

 

 

  1. Quick Closet Checks:

Closets are sneaky places. “Out of sight, out of mind” is an all too easy mode of thinking when doing a quick tidy-up. We’re all a little guilty of stuffing things away for a quick win!

 

Most of these 1-minute habits for a neat home can be applied in closets. Regularly take a minute every so often to straighten up closets, shelves, and drawers. When you open up your front entry, bedroom, linen, or laundry room closet, just quickly tidy something up. It will only take you a minute. Straighten up the stacks of clothes or linens, rearrange the coats into sections according to their owners, or pick up clothes from the floor. There’s no need to spend hours, just take a quick minute and straighten something up.

 

The next time you open that door, it’s going to make you smile! Plus you’ll likely be motivated to continue on with another shelf or section in that same closet. This small effort can lead to a consistently organized living space.

 

 

  1. Keep up with Digital Declutter:

Regularly organize your digital life. This area can easily become a mass arrangement of mixed-up photos, files, and videos if not routinely looked after. Next thing you know you’re paying for extra cloud storage you never really needed or jamming up space on your computer.

Spend a minute today to categorize your photos or files on your phone or computer. Try to keep up with doing this a little bit every day to avoid the overwhelming task of organizing a massive backlog. Simply go to where you keep photos that you took for the day and organize them into a folder. Delete anything that’s blurry, and narrow down your 10 photos of the same thing into one or two. Quickly sort them into a folder. You can do this by theme, year, holiday, event, etc. Whatever it may be, just pick a simple type of folder and make sure that you organize your photos for the day, at least every few days.

 

 

  1. Restock and Rotate:

Before you run out of pantry items, household essentials, or cleaning products, make sure to restock and rotate what you have. This prevents last-minute rushes and promotes a smoother daily routine.

 

Let’s say you’re the one who finished up the peanut butter. Why not put it on the grocery list in that moment? If you know your back stock has some more peanut butter, make sure you go and put the new peanut butter in place of the one you just finished.

 

And you know what? Other family members are going to thank you. They will start to recognize that you did something for the household, and they will want to return the favour to you. Never again will you be the person who drank the last of the milk or used the rest of the peanut butter without taking care of the replacement!

 

 

  1. Put Things Away After Use:

Rather than leaving items out after using them, make it a habit to put them back where they belong (in their homes you made from tip #3). This reduces future frustration and saves you a lot of time in the long run!

 

Let’s say you have some returns that you need to mail in. You’ll need scissors and tape to tape up the box and put the return label on. So you’re using two things, the scissors and the packing tape. When you’re done, simply put them back. This way the next time you or someone else needs those items, they’re going to be in the spots they always are.

 

Trust me, it’s going to save you a lot of frustration and greatly reduce time spent looking for something that is not in the place it’s supposed to be.

 

  1. Wipe Out Shelves and Surfaces:

This tip is one of my favourites of the 1-minute habits for a neat home. I love wiping out pantry shelves or the fridge drawers before I put groceries away. Why? Because I love a crisp, clean fridge. Plus I’m saving myself from having to do the grueling task of deep cleaning the whole fridge, freezer, and pantry.

 

Is it always perfect? No, of course not. But if I see crumbs during the week or the shelf is noticeably dirty, I will take a moment to wipe it. It just takes a quick wipe! If I’m already clearing the counters or I’ve already opened the fridge for something, I’ll also deal with those spots in the same moment.

 

It’s going to save you time and energy in the long term. So make sure if you see something you clean it right away. These small actions add up to a consistently cleaner environment.

  1. Evening Surface Sweep:

Before retiring for the night, spend a minute tidying up common area surfaces.

 

Take one minute and just tidy up all the beverage bottles, cans, and glasses that may have been left out if you were sitting on the couch watching TV. If the pillows are astray and you were using a blanket, why not quickly do a reset? Fluff the pillows up a bit, put them back where they belong, and fold the blanket away. When you come back to this space in the morning, the area will be clean.

 

If dirty dishes in the sink first thing in the morning bothers you, throw a load in the dishwasher at night. Whatever those little irritations may be for you, focus on them. Personally, I like to wake up and know that I have a relatively clean kitchen and living room. Otherwise I’m like, “Oh, I gotta deal with that, but I don’t have time right now and I’m already late running out the door.” It ruins my morning! So do an evening surface sweep and just notice what’s piling up. The goal with these 11-minute habits for a neat home is to ensure your living spaces are welcoming the next morning.

 

 

 

 

  1. Toy Basket Routine:

If you’re a busy mom with kids who bring their toys out everywhere, implement a nightly toy basket routine! What if you had a toy basket that you could take around to collect up all the toys in? It doesn’t need to be organized. At least they’ll be in a basket and not scattered all over the floor. Doing it consistently will lessen your weekly cleaning load as it takes forever to clean it all up if done on a weekly basis.

 

Practice this right before bedtime. Set the timer for one minute and make it fun! Play some music, include your little ones, and make it into a game. If they pick up their toys three nights a week, maybe they get a little extra sticker on their chore chart or a treat at the end of the week if they do it for all five weekdays.

 

This immensely helps to prevent clutter from piling up all over the house, because we know how quickly toys can get scattered all over the place!

 

 

  1. Practice the “Wait and See” Approach:

Before making impulsive purchases, pause for a moment. Give yourself time to think about whether you truly need the item.

 

Before you checkout at a store or hit order on your Amazon account, ask yourself, “Do I really need to buy this?” A trick I like to do is switch to another browser tab or go down another aisle to think about it twice. Remember, you’re now practicing a “one in, one out” rule. So if you keep bringing new stuff in, something’s gotta go!

 

When I go to buy a new pair of shoes, I’ve already decided on what I‘m going to donate or get rid of. I’m constantly decluttering my shoes and clothes closet so I have extra room for if I bring something in unexpectedly. But if you tend to do a lot of shopping and the clutter is piling up quickly, consider just waiting an additional minute. Then ask yourself, “Do I really need that sparkly new kitchen gadget?” Of all the 11-minute habits for a neat home, this one works great for those who love to shop 😉

 

Give yourself time to think instead of making these fast impulse buys. Often when you take the time to pause, it helps you to realize if you really need the item. Your wallet will thank you!

 

 

  1. Celebrate Progress and Share Tips:

Finally, celebrate your successes! Changing existing habits or adopting new ones is not easy, so you deserve to celebrate each step! Another way to keep yourself motivated is to share your organizational journey with others (like in our Club!). Encourage more friends and family to adopt these habits, and learn from each other’s experiences!

 

 

Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming project that takes up your vacation time. By incorporating these simple 1-minute habits for a neat home in your daily routine, you’ll be gradually transforming your living and digital spaces each day!

 

Remember, small actions lead to significant results.

 

So, which of these habits are you ready to embrace? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get started on this journey to simplify our lives together!🙂

 

 

 

 

 

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Jun 26
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How to Organize a Year of Kids’ School Papers

By Blog, Home Organizing, Organizing Paper Files No Comments

Stuck trying to figure out how to organize a year of school papers?

 

You’re in the right place! By implementing these simple steps you will be able to avoid overwhelming paper chaos. Ensuring that only their most important memories are saved.

 

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips for organizing schoolwork after the year has ended.

 

 

When is the Best Time to Organize?

 

There isn’t a more exciting time of year than when the kids finish school for the summer. At least for them! But somehow, it’s the parents that get stuck with their mountain of schoolwork to sort through.

 

To help lessen the amount of work come summer, a good idea is to practice recycling unnecessary papers throughout the school year. If you can keep this up consistently you’ll have a lot less work at the end of the year!

 

That’s a tip for next year though, as we have a mountain of paperwork to deal with today.

 

Let’s take a look at how you can organize a year of school papers effectively.

 

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How to Organize a Year of Kids’ School Papers

 

 

1. Establish a Plan

 

To prevent overwhelm by paper clutter, the most important step is to have a clear plan of action before you begin. Decide where and how you will organize your child’s school papers. This might be your dining room table or comfortably on your couch and coffee table. Then, dedicate a space to store these papers from the year. I recommend using a file folder for each school year and keeping them all together in an archive box, one for each kid.

 

2. Lay it All Out

 

You can now start getting your hands dirty by dumping out the contents of your child’s backpack. Gather all the papers into a single pile and put anything else off to the side so you can focus on this task first. Sorting through a large group is much more efficient than trying to pick through each thing from the backpack individually. From here you can create smaller piles for different categories like trash, keep, and recycle.

 

*Remember to remove the staples from the papers before recycling them!

 

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3. Reuse Papers for Summer Work

 

To keep your kids engaged in learning throughout the summer, consider reusing their unfinished workbooks, sheets, and lessons. For workbooks that are only partially completed, remove the finished pages to recycle and save the rest for “summer work.” This way, your children can continue learning during the break without you having to purchase additional worksheets. Having grade-appropriate lessons ready makes it even more relevant!

 

4. Clean out Backpacks (and Lunch boxes!)

 

After you organize a year of school papers, don’t forget to give those backpacks and lunchboxes a thorough clean! Empty out the whole thing, dispose of leftover food, and wipe down the interiors. Most backpacks can be run through a washing machine, but double-check the tag for washing instructions. A fresh start for the upcoming school year begins with a clean slate – emphasis on clean!

 

5. Want to Go Paperless?

 

Preserving memories digitally can save you tons of space and reduce household clutter. Check out my favourite apps for achieving this:

Artkive

The #1 solution for preserving and celebrating kids’ art!

Google Photoscan

Create enhanced digital scans, with automatic edge detection, perspective correction, and smart rotation.

You can use them to take photos of your child’s most memorable artwork and schoolwork. I love using these with my clients as they’re also great for taking photos of 3D artwork. If you don’t have the space to display a clay sculpture, simply snap a photo and look fondly at it anytime you wish! Create a digital album where you can store these cherished memories and even share them for extended family to view. Digital storage also ensures that these precious pieces are protected from physical wear and tear, or accidental breakage.

 

6. Maintain Throughout the Year

 

To simplify the end-of-year organization process, make it a habit to maintain your system throughout the school year. Encourage your kids to bring home papers they may no longer need. Regularly sort and pare down these papers to keep only the most special pieces. By adopting this practice, you’ll find that organizing school papers becomes a breeze at the end of each academic year!

 

 

Where to Store Kids’ School Papers

Organizing school papers after the year ends can be a daunting task that requires some planning and a methodical approach.

 

But by implementing the tips mentioned above, you can avoid the stress and clutter that often comes with organizing a year of school papers!

 

Remember to establish your plan, sort through the papers quickly, embrace digital storage, and maintain your system throughout the year.

 

By practicing these strategies consistently, you can say goodbye to paper chaos and give a big welcome to a clutter-free end of the year!

 

 

How do you store your kids’ school papers? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

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