The KonMari Method -- Papers (Round 2)

I tackled the 'Paper' category of the KonMari Method, and was very surprised by the results! Today, I'm sharing LOTS of tips on how I got through it as quickly and painlessly as possible.
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Laura

[@pp57642]

Started paper yesterday. Have a business from home and haven’t filed anything for two years! Yikes! Love the tip about eating and drinking and taking breaks. I didn’t do that yesterday but will today. I’ve set aside the week for business paper. Love your videos.

[@AalyaSenai]

Tip: DON'T READ LETTERS!!! Set them aside for later sorting. I found one just now that left me crying and I just had to walk away for a while. Certainly not helpful for decluttering...

[@Mac-bb2zb]

I just came across your channel. I love the content! I am going to try get organized once and for all! I procrastinate a lot. Thanks for the videos!

[@pattiecake11]

I'm about to work on papers. This will be about the fourth go around on these. It's not too bad, but I know I can eliminate more. If I can't shred, I soak my papers in water and dump it all in dirty kitchen garbage. Who would want to search through that mess to try and get my private information?? lol!!

[@HowToGYST]

Papers is always a bit of a nightmare. Mine could probably stand another sort through as well.

[@suecox2308]

that's a great idea--I'm going to do this too.

[@traceyt4580]

I love your videos so much Laura I feel like you're narrating my entire life haha once I gathered all paper together I realized I have an unhealthy fetish for wrapping paper and tissue paper and cute little note cards... I got rid of an entire shelving unit, it felt amazing!!

[@HowToGYST]

Ha ha. There are always hidden horrors when you go through something like this. I had an unhealthy amount of sticky notes. Got rid of every single one. And scrapbooking supplies?! Why?! I shudder to think how much money I spent on all that stuff.

[@oneatatime8677]

I am currently working through Komono and doing my hobbies. It is nice to see your videos. My paper was not to bad. But I can say that now because of perspective of doing other categories since.

[@HowToGYST]

+One at a Time 'Komono' can seem never-ending because it encompasses so much! Hang in there though, you're making great progress!

[@teresajohnson2790]

I just discovered your channel, so am behind the times a bit on commenting. I'm really enjoying your channel. It's especially great to see your second go round with KonMari because I'm considering that myself. Paper was massive for me! It took me about a month. Since I am over 60, a pack rat by nature, a history lover, an artist & calligrapher, a former homeschool mom, part-time teacher, a helper with my husband's home business, and just a paper and pen lover, I had to make a lot of subcategories that I sorted in the komono and sentimental stages. I did get rid of probably 20-30 percent of my papers and what I kept is stored more neatly. But I just cannot wrap my mind around the "discard everything" idea. It freaks me out. I feel like I'm on a different planet from everyone who seems to have no problem with it. I did have no problem getting rid of old bank statements, receipts, warranties and trimming down the official papers. It's the things like cards & letters from family members who have passed, art my daughters did when they were kids, records of classes I taught, syllabi from my classes that I composed myself, notebooks from church, personal journals. I have trouble parting with things like these. I still have boxes of them, which I have stored in a way that I don't feel cluttered. Yet I feel the urge to purge more.

[@43Rhein10]

First of all: you cannot imagine (and neither could I) the relief I felt when I heard your charming - NON-AMERICAN - accent. Your "both feet on the ground style" is very soothing too. Especially since I am the opposite: an ocd perfectionist unspontaneous messie - thats what I am. - WhoTF is Konmari? Will google her st.a. - but obviously you have short cutted whatever tips she gives. I'll stick with you. Glad to have found you ☺.

[@HowToGYST]

Oh my goodness, I'm DEFINITELY an OCD perfectionist. And not at all spontaneous. 😂 KonMari is the nickname for a Japanese lady called Marie Kondo. She's a self-titled "tidying expert". She's written a few books, the first of which is called "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" which outlines her "KonMari Method" for getting rid of everything that doesn't "spark joy" for you.

[@goddessnocturnas]

I just did paper. No fun. I would have made more progress if my husband was onboard, but he is still not convinced so I had to leave all of his stuff alone. Still, I had a whole tote of stuff that went to the recycle bin and a giant pile of shredding. I have almost an entire cupboard free now! It's bonkers. Thanks for the videos! I really enjoy watching. Be well!! -K

[@HowToGYST]

+~*Kristiyn*~ Yeah, paper is no fun. But if you can get through that category, you're doing really well! As for your husband, try take comfort in the fact that someday he'll be looking for something and will have to spend ages searching for it. Meanwhile, you can put your feet up. ;) Thanks for watching. :D

[@petmomful2260]

I don't like the KonMarie method because I do not want to bring ALL of one category from all over the house into one room. That is way too overwhelming for me. I do one drawer, or room, at a time. Right now I am doing my laundry room, which has an overflow of kitchen gadgets in the cupboards. We are going to remodel it soon, so it is good timing. I have been amazed at what I got rid of! I am really trying to dig deep! I hate doing paper, but alas, it must be done.

[@Bikemaddad]

Well done. What a great video. I’m inspired to get that crap done now lol

[@mariela6398]

Love this video !! :)

[@HowToGYST]

Thanks. :D

[@bonitajordan6825]

Papers!!! My worst habit is paper hoarding for NO reason. Bags and boxes have been taken to a shredding service. A new filing system is organized and in use already. It’s so much easier to find documents I require urgently.

[@cynthiabakke825]

I've been going over mine. And over and over and over them. I've decided to keep only Tax stuff, certified Court docs, and things that I need to handle very soon. I've been scanning the rest into the Cloud IF they matter. Then, after I scan them, or if they aren't ones that matter at all, I shred or otherwise destroy them. As mail comes in, I'm trying to recycle immediately, and then pay the bills, fill out the paperwork/mail back out, etc once a week and scan/get rid of them. It is still a process, but totally worth it. Otherwise, my boxes and piles of paper stare at me, mock me, and call me nasty names. I found really easy to use apps for my phone and my ipad, and can grab a pile and do it while I watch TV, or at work on my breaks, and it goes a lot faster than if I scanned by hand in my scanner (even the multi page one). And my stupid user manuals, I tape them to the thing if possible, like on the bottom or back of the thing (in an manila envelope, or something) WITH the receipt if I remember to. HOWEVER, that said, I need to just get rid of it all except for certified Court stuff, tax documents, and truly sentimental. Otherwise, yep, I can get it elsewhere pretty easily. Not worth making myself nuts over. Thanks for reminding me that I'm getting stuck in my overthinking loop again! Get rid of it, scan then get rid of, or store long term. Or action it within a week and get rid of. DUH. I adore you- you always say just what I need to hear!

[@bettyfong9426]

Thank you 💗

[@malkiabenzy]

I'm trying to scan and develop an electronic form. I don't want any more unnecessary papers. My desk drawers are literally filled to the brim smh and I refuse to store them anywhere else/clutter

[@HowToGYST]

Good plan. Just be sure that you're only scanning stuff that you need to keep. Digital clutter can be just as bad as physical, so don't scan something "just because". It can be a time-consuming process upfront, but stick with it if you feel it's working for you. 🙂

[@HolisticHomemaker]

Did you end up going through your home at one point and think "hey that item hasn't been in any category purge yet"? I found that I had missed so much in not having a category solely for organizational tools and decorations like tissue holders. For example was that organizer on the back of your door part of any category? ;)

[@HowToGYST]

Absolutely! I ended up completing a big category (eg. clothes), and then finishing up everything else that was in that room/space (eg. bedroom). I talk a little about it in my KonMari wrap-up video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppK2eIOYa6yDd6M ) but, to be perfectly honest, I still sometimes come across things I missed!

[@ldsfanclub]

On a previous video you mentioned you would be joining us here in the USA. Just wondering what state you'll be settling in.

[@HowToGYST]

+ldsfanclub Replied to your other comment. =)

[@ESJohnson14]

Papers seemed tedious and overwhelming for me because the stack is so small and can take so much time to go through. Just feels like you are not getting a ton done.

[@Hellenen]

what do i do with half empty sketchbooks and a lot paper i keep for upcoming projects (i will study art in autumn )

[@HowToGYST]

If you're not going to use them and don't need or want to refer back to them, recycle them. If you want to refer to some things, maybe take a picture of them or rip out the relevant pages and then recycle the rest. If they mean a lot to you and you'd like to keep them, store them somewhere safe and all together. 🙂

[@Hellenen]

thanks! i just did papers and i it was a drag, but im glad i dit, now i feel a bit clearer in my head.

[@HowToGYST]

That's great! Well done. 🙂

[@WhatLauraLikes2018]

That’s such a better way of looking at it: pull only what’s valuable out of the pile.

[@francescha66]

What if you have a hobby that generates a lot of paper?

[@HowToGYST]

Recycle or reuse as much as you can. 🙂

[@pattiecake11]

I love St. Patrick's Day! I'm not Irish, but my name is Patty!!!

[@HowToGYST]

Not to burst your bubble, but it's not St. Patty. Patrick or Paddy, that's it. 😉

[@pattiecake11]

I'm actually Italian. lol

[@HowToGYST]

Oh I love Italy so much!

[@a91170]

Happy St. Patrick's Day ♣

[@HowToGYST]

+Anat Katz And to you! :D

[@joycebarton1331]

My husband and I own two businesses, so I have to save everything. I have about 2500 receipts to keep. I created a spreadsheet, but a paper list will do of numbers. 1700001 was the first number for 2017, 1600001-1602500 was for 2016, and 1800001 will be for 2018, so that you get the idea. I number each paper, and I run them thru my neat scanner, Then I verify the receipts in my computer, I enter the number I assigned the receipt in the transaction number field. I then file the receipt in numerical order, in an empty donut box that holds six donuts (tri-folded if it is a full page), or if I know I will need to access the receipt again (tax Papers or contracts), in a file in my desk drawer in numerical order. If I need to access a receipt again, I can look it up on my computer & pull it from the box/or file as needed. This keeps my business papers in order and I don't have to worry about loosing anything when tax time comes and I can keep everything the required seven years without worry.

[@HowToGYST]

Sounds like a great system. I don't have that many paper receipts so I just chuck them all in a small plastic folder. 😂

[@WSX_Shorts]

You know thats swering right

[@EvieVermont]

Fold a damn fitted sheet will ya?