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It's Not Just Paper Anymore

8/12/2014

8 Comments

 
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For educators, back-to-school is the real start of a new year. It's a natural time for starting fresh, reorganizing, re-prioritizing. Educators in Florida head back to school early, as in now. So I'm getting myself pumped up, psyched, and ready to rise to new challenges!

Last August I challenged myself to get rid of 365 things in 365 days. I amazed myself with my success! I not only unloaded more than 365 items; I am also routinely purging as I bring new items into the home. The scent of success is sweetly satisfying. 

It's also temporary.

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Every time I boot up the computer, I'm confronted with files sorted into files sorted into more files. Many of my images, documents, and photos are stored in multiple places: hard drive, flash drive, cloud, camera. How is this better than multiple file cabinets (which I've pared down to notebooks, one file box and two file bins,) or shoe boxes of unsorted photographs (of which I have many)? To add further insult, paper still accumulates on our table and counter tops, then gets piled willy-nilly into baskets or bins when we need to tidy up for an occasion. I confess: I often won't go through those piles for months. They're just too daunting.

So here is (drumroll please!) my new challenge for 2014-15: 
  • SORT
  • SELECT
  • SYSTEMIZE. 

It's brilliant! By this time next year I will have sorted through all our papers, files, and photos. I will have selected what needs saving. I will have created a system for housing and retrieving. I will be facing a future of never being overwhelmed by files and photos again!

I am off to an amazing start. I've identified a problem. I've begun pinning anti-clutter and organizational ideas and inspirations. I started an accountability page. I've written this blog entry.  My job this month is done...

#clutter, #digitalclutter, #organizing, #resolutions

8 Comments
Dee Dee Chumley link
8/12/2014 03:05:24 pm

Oh, wow, Natine, can I ever identify with this post! I'm in the middle of major purging and organizing, too. I think you've struck upon the best way to tame the clutter monster. It's the same proverbial way you eat an elephant: one bite at a time.
Congrats on you're 365 success!

Reply
Natine
8/13/2014 02:15:12 am

Thanks, Dee Dee! I know I'm not alone in this venture. It's kind of like making health changes; every day is a new challenge in keeping at it.

Reply
cmk
8/13/2014 09:31:13 am

I keep trying to go through my piles of paperwork and before I get even a little handle on it, I wind up falling farther behind. The Oldest told me that if I haven't gotten things organized better before I die, she will just light a match to the house and be done with it all in one smooth act. :D This is definitely one area of my life that I need to work on.

Reply
Natine
8/13/2014 12:27:16 pm

Your oldest is hysterical, CMK! I know if I go first, G will never find anything! And he keeps everything. Hoping my unpapering will rub off on him. Ha!

Reply
Shel Harrington link
8/13/2014 11:53:25 am

At least electronic files aren't cluttering up household surfaces - I'd say GREAT progress has been made! Looking forward to an update for Fat Bottoms on this!

Reply
Natine
8/13/2014 12:28:30 pm

Thank you, Shel! Will be working on keeping up with documenting progress (or lack there-of!)

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Annie Bonannie
8/14/2014 07:51:31 am

Aaahhh, there is nothing like the thrill of setting off on a journey. Thanks for inviting all of us along. We're going to have F.U.N. :D

Reply
Natine
8/15/2014 09:57:25 am

Where I really want to journey is to Annie's Barn! That is on our agenda for next year so I hope the invite is still open. :-)

Reply



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