Crushing Paper Clutter 🧾- Tips for Completing Category 3 of the KonMari Method

I know from all the comments and messages I get that paper is one of the biggest burdens people have when it comes to clutter. So in this video I'm taking you step-by-step through the process of clearing it out once and for all so you can complete the paper category of the KonMari Method.
Watch the video and then let me know...
Are you a piler or a filer when it comes to paper? 💖
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Thank you for your support, and I hope I can help you get your shit together!
Laura

[@msanchagrin]

I got rid of a bike my Dad bought when I was a young adult....I am not any more, but I still have the receipt. I love looking at it. I flip through the pages of the receipt a few times a year. I love seeing his signature and writing on the receipt. And I think of how much he loved me. It reminds me of what a generous father he was. He passed away in 2017. I will keep that receipt until I have passed away and joined him in Heaven.

[@HowToGYST]

What a lovely memory.

[@Bonafidevixen10032]

Oh my goodness. I finally tackled all my papers including hubby's work papers and receipts. What a task!!! Took me years to finally figure out HOW to organize it so it makes sense and is accessible etc. I pretty much copied the freedom filer method (copied cos it's not in australia) and I have to say, it is soooooo fantastic. As soon as I get paper I know to put it. It took me hours to sort through everything but so worth it. Now I feel good about it and my filing cabinet is pastel and pretty. Which is a shame cos no one will ever see it. Lol. Great tips. Best one is to schedule time for it. It will take a long time but gosh, it feels good when you're done.

[@jeannebowes2898]

Just assisted son I am visiting. He did not have much, and had made a recent move and plans another more in May. He also lost a lot of weight and everything was way too big. All donated then replaced with a simple working wardrobe. We went through all in his little rented room. Now I can leave knowing he is in good shape! We did active , historical, and memorabilia. Wow, but now efficient and can be easily maintained by a young single male.

[@HowToGYST]

That's brilliant. He must have been so appreciative of the help.

[@gracieg5849]

What a good Mom!💯

[@jeannebowes2898]

How to Get Your Shit Together one can hope!

[@jeannebowes2898]

Gracie G TY. We try!

[@MrsMP100]

Ok, mind blown 🤯 about manuals!!! Why am I keeping all the Greek, french & German bits?!?!?! I only understand the English part 🤷‍♀️🙋‍♀️ tomorrow’s task list written - pull apart manuals! 💪

[@mariperkins]

Omg right!?!

[@mountainviewvintage386]

Or check if its onlin& dont even need to keep the english one☺️

[@natiagogichaishvili3556]

Process going on for hours? How about days? 🤦‍♀️ I just decided to go through papers by reading EVERYTHING including diaries and other memorabilia, give a decent goodbye before letting go of some of them and darn, it's taking time, but i'm still glad I'm doing it 😊 Great tips, as always ❤

[@amara560]

I've been working on it for months, doing a couple of hours every week. It's a lot...

[@natiagogichaishvili3556]

@@amara560 couple of hours in week would really take months for this project 🙂 I just had time and decided to do all at once. Of course, there are some other things and distructions, there's also A LOT to go through and it's taking me looong :))

[@isabellabihy8631]

The very first thing I did when I got the key to my apartment was to buy a sticker for my mailbox that says "No advertisements!" Where I live in this world this is binding, that is no leaflets from the groceries, hardware, discount stores, or who ever wants to stuff your mailbox. The only people ignoring the sticker are the delivery services. I'm darn glad that I bought the sticker. The remainder is still much work.

[@Pysslis]

Isabella Bihy same in my country. No advertisements, just addressed mail, although some companies has started to send addressed junk mail. 😕

[@isabellabihy8631]

@@Pysslis the same game over here!

[@elisafrye2115]

Isabella Bihy oh,I DO ENVY YOU that lovely sticker! ALAS, We have nothing like that in the US.😰🙀👎

[@aleka..]

*reasonably happy* I needed that phrase so much. Signed Recovering perfectionist.

[@HowToGYST]

Recovering perfectionist here too. ;)

[@ivantaylor7081]

I can see myself working 15 minutes and sleeping one hour afterwards. LOL

[@HowToGYST]

Ha ha. Still sounds like a productive day to me. ;)

[@amara560]

I started scanning 10 years of papers a couple of months ago and I'm not even 1/4 through...It's a real chore. But I will be so happy once it's done. Luckily I don't have a steady stream coming in. But I still have a couple of months to go.

[@Pysslis]

If you scan important documents make sure to save at least two copies , and that it is available both on and offline. User manuals older than a couple of years can be hard to find online, I rip out and save the pages I might need, which has come in handy several times.

[@HowToGYST]

I find a quick Google or search on KZbin usually does the trick for me. 🙂

[@mountainviewvintage386]

I find manuals that go back to the 80's so maybe check online first before keepin it😉💙

[@sellyourhomenowbook]

I keep them in a file in a filing cabinet and go through them as the item breaks or gets discarded. No big deal.

[@karenthomas7678]

Thanks, Laura. I feel a bit more motivated now to sort through all my files and reduce even more. The shredded paper can be given one last use before being disposed of. I spread a layer or two in the bottom of the rubbish and recycling bins to soak up any ‘bin juice’. I find that it’s not so gross to empty them out.

[@evasochocki5209]

Very helpful. I actually have it on my to do list to work on paper clutter today and tomorrow. This should definely make it easier. I tend to get too detailed. The idea of sorting into broad categories is the best advice for me. Thanks.

[@myxochi]

Thanks so much Laura! Once again, your ideas are dead on! ...now to get back to the papers...

[@HowToGYST]

You’re very welcome, Wendy. Best of luck!

[@mariperkins]

I need to do this!! Thank you so much for your tips! They're great! And very encouraging.

[@clcnj5365]

Finally someone with a unique and valuable suggestion. Find a comfortable spot From which to work first! After reviewing the rest of this video there are definitely good tips in here that I have not seen in any other declutter video. Ty

[@jadestar1580]

Coupons…. Argghhh! I don't even want to look at them, but end up taking the time to cut them out "just in case" then never use them. What a waste of time and so irritating when I buy something and later remember I had a coupon for it or forget to bring them! Thank you for the video.

[@HowToGYST]

I only clip coupons for things I already buy on a regular basis, and they go directly into my wallet so they're always with me and I can't miss them. =)

[@katywillett2590]

My grocery store offers digital coupons! So much easier!

[@bernadetteg3550]

Thank you needed a walk through going to give it another try. thanks as always great video!

[@HowToGYST]

You're very welcome. Hope it helps. =)

[@jenniferduarte-hernandez775]

Very practical steps & info! Thanks!

[@HowToGYST]

Thank YOU for watching. 😁

[@Luesium]

I found a miracle app called Office Lens, it has an orange icon, it let's you take a picture with your phone and send it to your email etc and then you can open it in Word to edit it. I LOVE it and it's free. Forget scanning just snap a pic!

[@hurdiehurdie1404]

Love your denim shirt!

[@yavrum22]

Very helpful thank you 🙏

[@HowToGYST]

Yay!

[@melodyglenn3366]

you are the cutest! love your vids

[@gracieg5849]

Very helpful, practical, steps to tackle this problem. A yucky one until one makes some sense of it. 😩 🤗🤗

[@elizabethman7313]

If anyone is having a huge initial sort out , I really recommend bagging up the shredding and sending it out to a shredding service. Just to get straight. I find life ends up being a choice between time or money. A little bit of daily shredding of any incoming mail , once you’re in maintenance mode , is a totally different prospect. Learnt this the hard way by helping a friend age 80yr move house after 30 yrs in same house….

[@jessicakraus4983]

Great advice! Paper has definitely taken over my house (my husband and I can barely use our office because of everything in there!!). I am going to get this tackled before the new year 😁 Ps-- your hair looks adorable in this video

[@juannyguerra9834]

Thank you. This video will help take care of my years of paper clutter.

[@HowToGYST]

I'm so glad you found it helpful. :D

[@Helen-xv7ot]

Great video! While I have a long way to go with "paper decluttering" for this new year (It is one of my first 3 month goals) ... I made some established improvements with my handling of paper/documents. I utilize my Google Keep app to the fullest with making lists and keeping track of to do's. If someone hands me a piece of paper that may contain instructions/directions etc... I take a picture of it and toss the hard copy. (I delete the electronic version when I am finished.) What little I did this past year saved me loads of time and stress.

[@mountainviewvintage386]

I love seeing those full trash bags of paper as progress☺️

[@MissVasques]

I overcame the paperclutter part of km by technically not completely tossing things out, but digitizing lots and lots of paper including things with emotional ties. And I’ve kept digitizing as paper have come in, keeping Only what I truly thought I needed a original , like my job contract.

[@jessicaalexander-lillicrap9527]

If you have a compost pile shredded paper can go on it too

[@HowToGYST]

Yes! Thanks for adding that. =)

[@julietannOsfan1972]

Great tips. Don’t throw all your children’s drawings etc away. I saved quite a lot of stuff from my niece & nephew & put it in memory books.

[@SimpLeeBeth]

Can't see the forest... bc it's not there! 😂😂😂❤

[@TinaThevarge]

I use the tip of ripping off the confidential information off of the paper and only shredding that part. I started doing that with the mailing labels that come with all the online orders. The rest of the box or envelope either goes into the recycling or burn pit. I live in the country, so I’m allowed a burn pile.

[@mariperkins]

I've never thought of just ripping off that part!!! 😰😲🙉

[@TinaThevarge]

It saves so much space. With the plastic mailer envelopes I cut out the address part and I plan on trying to soak them in the sink to see if it will come off. Then, burn pile the sticky labels and trash the bit of plastic. Just haven’t gotten that far in my decluttering mission yet.

[@nnemoyer]

In a day? I think it might take me all year? Thanks for your enthusiastic positive attitude and concrete steps.

[@808Blessed1]

I came across your video dealing with paper perfect timing. Paper work and kids school work long and short term paper work. I don’t know what to keep and trash that it starts to accumulate quickly. Any advice or suggestion that would help. Great video.

[@itoshiibaka8267]

You are so right that this category is different from the others. I think I've done every other category completely, including sentimental, but being attuned to your joy doesn't help much with paper. I think I need to revisit paper more ruthlessly and find a better way to organize it. The ways I've tried haven't been quite right. Especially the "right now" papers. I think I need it to be more visual...

[@itoshiibaka8267]

I'm going to rewatch this video when I have time to devote to paper. As always, you have some good tips.

[@jenniferadams370]

Take the paper that doesn't have plastic on it and use it as a weed barrier in a garden bed. Just be sure to wet it down and cover it with leaves so it doesn't blow away.

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

I always tear off my name and address off any mail I don’t keep and recycle the rest of the paper. If I don’t need to shred I will recycle always. I will contact any charities that randomly send me mail requesting donations. I’d rather let them know if possible so they won’t keep sending me paper. It saves them money, it saves the paper and it saves me having to recycle the paper.

[@HowToGYST]

Yes, it's a win-win-win. =)

[@robynw6307]

Can't the shredded paper still go in the recycling?

[@robynw6307]

I walk past my kerbside bin for recycling on the way back from my letterbox. Much of the paper that I receive doesn't even get into the house.

[@nursen2106]

for me digital versions of paper don't change anything. it is still unorganized, unread, saved for later ... the same as paper. only very important stuff is well organized, like with my paper documents like passports, contracts etc. I must say, I feel like, I even get rid of paper much easier, than of digital documents. so, I am not so convinced, that getting paper out of sight would solve anything, except maybe, if in a very messy home. yes, there it might make a big difference. but not necessarily. I don't feel so comfortable with what is going on in my computer and my mailing archive. and the feeling is the same, as if it would be on paper (except, I get rid of paper more easily, as I said earlier). do you know, what I mean?

[@HowToGYST]

I do. I'd advise just deleting everything in that case. You've said yourself it's unread, so why keep it? If you've got the important stuff, that's all that matters. =) But it can be good to switch to digital versions of bills, etc. where the company will simply email you a statement or tell you it's available online, rather than having regular paper versions come in. Better for the environment. =)

[@nursen2106]

@@HowToGYST Thanks for your response! What you say is true for bills. But interestingly with bills I don't have problems anyway. Most of them I get virtually. But notes, an information, that I keep for later and later forget, that I had it already. Or bonuses and credits for a purchase, which I miss, because it expired. Things like that Or texts I started and after an unavoidable break didn't continue, because it is out of sight and I forget etc. You know. That kind of stuff. I also lost some texts, I did love to look up again and again. then I lost it because of technical issues. Also I don't want to participate in that careless usage of 'the cloud' (which isn't necessarily environmentally 'carefree'). That will not happen for me. But I am sure there must be a key to handling such things, but I never mastered it or maybe never thought of a proper structure? I wonder, how others organize their hobbies and interests, that involve paper. apart from the regular calendar functions of course. I wonder, if it is worth it, to investigate methods of artists and such

[@dragonsflame474]

It took me longer to shred than it did to sort. 8 hours to sort over 2 days and 8 hours over 6 months to shred. NEVER AGAIN! 🤣

[@HowToGYST]

Yes, shredding can be a LOOONG process. That's why I recommend only shredding the tiny little bits you need to and not the whole piece of paper. ;) Well done on getting through it!

[@oatssettle846]

A Piler, then I put it in 3 ring binders in broad categories. I just slip them in.

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

Great! I just remembered our garbage bill is the same every time. And it’s auto pay. So no need for paper bill. I’m thinking of going to evils on water bill, like electric and gas. The big paper files are medical.

[@HowToGYST]

The healthcare system here is still a mystery to me.

[@marilyngandhi4213]

My papers tend to breed, and unfortunately I find instruction manuals become more and more deficient in their details. And when I go on line and look for a new recipe eg for icecream using stevia I find it comes with instructions to use an icecream maker that I do not have and cannot afford to run out and get. Getting my shit together is getting complicated.

[@elinunez1034]

You stopped being european! I think the american way of life got in you way... can’t live there with you usual haircut right? Thanks for the great content! (as usual)🙏🏻

[@caramoonlynn]

The ladies at work refuse to file, so I need some tips for success.

[@caramoonlynn]

I love burning paper. So satisfying.

[@mountainviewvintage386]

Caras Life on the Farm ..yes, hate that when certain people think theyre 'too good' for filing..we all need to do it at some point

[@caramoonlynn]

@@mountainviewvintage386 right. I'm the accountant and I make about twice as much money as they do, so I'm perfectly happy to do a task like that so my brain can rest.

[@mountainviewvintage386]

Caras Life on the Farm exactly! Lol its kinda a relaxing break like therapy😛

[@caramoonlynn]

@@mountainviewvintage386 yes! I'm going to see how this first audit goes and if it's a terrible mess with our current "dump file" I'm going to start filing correctly.

[@mattmatt2417]

Storing this much paper/any paper, seems counterproductive, thats what storage drives are for, burn it all/well the responsible thing to do, is shred them and then recycle them, but /IF you need to scan it all, into a computer, back things up though/on flash drives/external hardrives and so on, also ALL OF THIS, CAN BE STORED ON YOUR PHONE/in one TINY device. Also NOW DAYS, you can just start typing what your looking for, in a search box, and it will just pop, right up/no more annoying days of Windows 95/XP/Vista, those type search systems, are a thing of the past, luckily. Also ALL of those manuals have PDFs, I have those on my phone/I've backed those up as well, you can just search for them online, they are easy to find too. Also notes can be taken on your phone/and all of your notes/info you need, will ALWAYS be with you as well. Also you can carrie tons and tons of books, IF they are digital/PDFs, same with music, granted now we MOSTLY stream music, with Pandora/Spotify. LOL your acting like an old person lol Sentimental things are different, but the rest is a waste of time and space. Some more examples, of how we live in a digital world. Also ALLOT of things can't even be purchased, with out digital/EVERYTHING can't be purchased with cash. MEANING COD/POD, isn't even a thing anymore/DEFINITELY not available for everything/its not used, like it used to be. Cash is helpful, to avoid paying tax though, under the table jobs and also for survival/when systems are down, but sales tax is MOST LIKELY going to be an ISSUE REGARDLESS, UNLESS, MAYBE, IF you have access to a military base/some other way to avoid SOME tax. I know I keep ALLOT of cash in my safe,along with physical books,blurays and so on, but I also keep/use digital items, MOST of the time, such as PDFs,Digital movies,games and music. Keeping birth certificates/social security cards and pictures, of everyone in your family, SHOULD suffice, for the JUST IN CASE, but even your license, now days, can be renewed, through an app. Anyway physical paper, is becoming less and less needed. It doesn't surprise me though, that EVERYTHING'S going digital/Sears,Kmart,Hifi buy,Sports authority, Toys R Us and SOON GameStop, ALREADY figured this out, the hard way, but they did FINALLY figure this out. Walmarts figuring this out as well/using doordash/having memberships/monthly services, that allow you to get unlimited deliveries, Walmart stores are KIND OF turning into warehouses. Anyway we now have hardrives,SSDs,Flashdrives, servers, no need for MASSIVE filing cabinets, ANYMORE, nor massive calculators,paper calendars,paper, envelopes, for paper/things that can be sent by/via E-mail, no need for, stamps,printers,ink, checks and so on, ALL of these things, are obsolete/they are going away. Now we can just log into the server, vs having to take/go get that one piece of paper, that is miles away/we also use e-mail vs USPS. Also we use debit/credit cards now vs checks, we don't get our bills mailed to us anymore/we have auto pay/we pay through apps. We bank through apps now vs through physical banks, we do on OCCASION, use ATMS, but even checks can be deposited, by taking a pic of them, through an app,direct deposit is available, ANYWAY we now do things MUCH more simply/efficiently/effectively. This is probably WRONG, but I burn all the paper I receive, wrong as in, recycling, is what you/we should do, but honestly, I think physical mail, FROM COMPANIES, SHOULD BE BANNED, individuals sending each other a Bithday/Christmas card, is okay, but other JUNK MAIL, should not be sent to people. Atleast with email, MOST things, get sent directly, to the spam folder/box, also what gets through, CAN BE BLOCKED, MANUALLY, AND ITS NOT REALLY REAL/it has no consequence, other than bandwith. Honestly ALL trash services SHOULD be required, to recycle/all trash facilities, SHOULD HAVE a SORTER/SOMETHING/a machine that automatically sorts the trash/it gets dumped in and then its sorted. Anyway paper is a waste of time and space, especially when everything can be stored on storage devices and easily emailed/found, when need be. Something you can invest in/things that are helpful, NOW that you've gotten rit of all the paper, is more monitors. When I work, I use 3 monitors/I have two 42inch monitors and one 27inch monitor, in every setup I have, but being able to see more on screen, is really helpful, when working/getting things done.

[@jaelah2638]

I have a basket full of paper 😭😭

[@HowToGYST]

Slow and steady. You’ll get through it. 🙂