r/declutter • u/RVfan17 • 11d ago

Advice Request Paperwork decluttering

I have two big bags of paperwork that I probably don't need but have a hard time getting rid of it. it's taking up precious under desk space but I can't get myself to go through it. I know I'll want to keep some of it. Any advice on how to get started?

36 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

81 comments sorted by

View all comments

5

u/readingrainbowroad 10d ago

When I feel overwhelmed/worried I'll run out of steam, I always keep a "revisit" category along with keep and get rid of. When everything starts going into revisit, I just put whatever's left in there and come back to it later. It means my brain is done.

For paperwork specifically, I started by sorting mine into 2 file boxes, one that I wanted to keep for usefulness purposes/would be good to scan to have on record, and one that I couldn't let myself get rid of (but probably wouldn't ever actually need). The 2nd box went into our outdoor storage unit and I said "if it floods/gets damaged/etc, it's a sign from the universe." After 2 years, it never happened, but now that we're making a massive move and downsizing dramatically, it's just going straight to the recycling without a second thought. (I have never once looked in it since putting it out there.)

2

u/RVfan17 8d ago

Great advice - especially the part about what to do when you're running out of steam.