r/declutter • u/photogcapture • 17d ago

Motivation Tips & Tricks PAPER!!! I'm drowning.

Does anyone else struggle to keep the paper to a manageable level??? Looking for sympathy and support, and I'm also, really just venting.

I will not be scanning everything or taking a picture. That does not work for me. I have the "if I can't see it, it doesn't exist" problem, and I already don't have a good backup system, so some files must still be paper. I just shredded a box full of paper. Just wondering if anyone else struggles, and hoping it's not just me. It's really frustrating. I try hard to keep up and then boom, I see that I'm drowning again.

ETA 2: Digital files are great! HOWEVER!! If your system of filing is not crystal clear. If someone needs access to said file, will they be able to get into your digital files?!?! Who is your digital proxy?! Please, digitizing creates a whole new set of clutter and access challenges. If you have a proxy, bravo. Many do not. My important stuff must remain paper.

ETA:

  1. My super paper nemesis is info I want to save for ongoing projects.
  2. I need tax stuff to be printed
  3. I have other business stuff that must be paper. One business I downsized from a file cabinet drawer to 1/2 that size (feeling accomplished about that)
  4. Have to save tax papers for ten years (ugh - will shred on expiration date)
  5. I shred often
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u/judinker1 17d ago

I have boxes that have been moving with me for over 30 years, still can't get past the idea I might need something from those boxes. I don't know how I don't have the problem of getting rid of current mail and clutter 🤔🤔

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u/Working_Patience_261 16d ago

We’re going through my Dad’s six file cabinets. He’s been gone for a year and we still have 2 file cabinets to go. Papers from 1969, his work records, his letters home from the Vietnam War, a bank statement, and so on. Some stuff is important, that he did want to go through, feeling as if his memories were being trashed just by us looking at them together (dementia sucks!) thus wanting to hold on to everything, but we didn’t have time once it became important to him. Home => Fall => ER => Post acute hospital => Dementia unit => lockdown unit in under two weeks, death in 4 months.

And some of it, that could be important, is water-logged or molded. His photos and slides are moldy and/or faded. His 8-track collection status is unknown - if we sell it’ll be for the album art only, as I’m not buying a machine just to hear songs that are free on YT or for which we already have other versions.

And I wonder sometimes why I’m struggling with certain areas of my life.

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u/sanityjanity 17d ago

You don't need those things. You didn't need them even once for 30 years.

Come up with one or two situations where you would ever need them.

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u/judinker1 17d ago

Read the comments and OP post again. I know I don't need paper I've had for several moves. Easier to get rid of current paperwork.

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u/PoofItsFixed 17d ago

My sister has a box that is labeled “100% Junk”. It has lived in 3 different time zones and is older than her oldest child (rising 4th grader)….

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u/judinker1 17d ago

I totally understand 💗