Courtney Ellis

A couple of years ago Kelly Gash spoke to my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group about organization and decluttering.

“One of the biggest issues for me is paper,” she said. “Papers just collect and we don’t know what to do with them, and they get everywhere.” 

My ears perked up. THIS is my life. I keep journals from grade school (because… I don’t know why. Maybe the Smithsonian will need them someday?).

I live in fear of throwing out the wrong bank statement and having our finances crumble beneath me, even though it’s all online.

We will talk more about dealing with the large paper pile-ups later. But for now, let’s start with one simple soul space goal: dealing with cards.

I’m talking cards from friends: greeting, thank-you, Christmas. Baby announcements and sweet notes. Baptism cards, “we’ve moved” cards, birthday invites and well wishes of all kinds.

I used to keep these. What else would you do with them? They are kind, thoughtful messages. Notes of love. Notes of care. Can’t throw those things away, right?

Then Kelly said something I’ll never forget.

“When you get a nice card in the mail,” she said, “read it, let it give you the emotional hug it was intended to give, and then throw it away.”

You guys this is the best advice ever.

Daryl cracks up when I stand in the kitchen reading a card like this. I’ll read it to myself, sometimes I’ll read it to him, I’ll say, “HUG!” and then I’ll put it in the recycling bin.

Wanna join the club?

Soul Space Wins:

• More counter space
• Less decision fatigue
• A quick hug rather than a long-term storage project

What have you found that helps you in dealing with paper clutter?