Purging Papers
“I feel liberated! And so grateful. I am beginning to see what a huge difference this is going to make in my life. I’m already experiencing the joy.”
Happy Client During Paper Category
Getting organized is always about more than just decluttering. The effects go beyond the physical task of creating order.
It’s about freedom and joy.
These sound like big results from a rather mundane task like sorting through paperwork, but I see it happen time after time, with client after client, in every category.
This week I spent a full day getting a client started on her paper category. We filled her living room with boxes and bags of paper, some of her records going back decades.
Tackling one box at a time, we sorted them into subcategories –
tax records,
stationery and cards,
medical records,
printouts of emails received,
marketing information,
articles to read,
inspirational sayings she saved,
manuals,
warranties,
memorabilia,
to do lists,
pamphlets,
banking and bills,
annual reports,
research for her writing,
recipes,
receipts,
updates for her current shows,
family records,
and so on.
I sorted what I could and set aside items that my client needed to handle herself. I spent time shredding papers for her, while she continued to sort. I asked questions to guide her through the evaluations of what she needed and wanted to keep.
Once she had the framework for decisions and the direction to head in, she felt able to proceed on her own. I checked in over the next few days to offer support and encouragement, and to hear about her progress.
Her very first comment was, “I feel so liberated!”
She went on to describe her joy at releasing both old medical records and records related to her father’s end-of-life care. She was thankful to God for providing in times of difficulty and for family and friends that helped her through.
On the other side of those seasons, she could truly let go with joy and gratitude for what she received. “I no longer need to have these papers taking up space in my home.”
The paper category can be daunting, for many reasons, not the least of which is the sheer number of items to be handled and decisions made.
Starting the task is easier with someone beside you to guide and encourage.
Continuing the task is easier when someone else is sharing the burden.
Completing the task is fueled by the experience of joy along the way, and the vision for the freedom that is coming.
“I am feeling so good about what is happening in my home and heart in this process.”
Tell me:
Have you tackled your papers yet?
Can you imagine your papers completely organized?
