Got too much F*CKING paper all over the place and can't seem to get rid of it? You're not alone.

Here are some possible reasons why you can't let go of it

Possibility #1: Organization Overload

Perhaps you pride yourself on your organizational skills, only to find that paper still manages to breed like rabbits in your home. It's time to admit: maybe we're not as tidy as we thought.

Possibility #2: Blame Game

It’s your partner’s fault (to be honest, I always consider that to be the first possibility).

Possibility #3: Caught Between Generations

We struggle to find our footing between the analog past and the digital future. Our parents kept everything, while our kids barely know what a filing cabinet is. It's enough to make anyone feel lost in a sea of paper.

Paper vs. Pixels

This week, I culled the paper pile to a short stack and decided to be my most ruthless self and go through it today. It is a day when I am on a tear to make some peace with my environment.

On top, my DOG’s certificate of training from five years ago. Do I think he’s going to want to show it to his kids? Am I going to have to prove to someone that he was trained for weeks (despite some unwanted behaviors)? Next up are tax forms from 2022. It’s 2024! Then, I have a 20+ page printout from the CVS central records department with a history of my medications for the past 10 years. I went to great lengths to get that information; it was useless. I don’t need to keep just because I fought for it. Finally, I get down to some greeting cards I received. I reread the cards. I enjoyed the sentiments and the pictures.

Confronting Chaos: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Be Ruthless

Channel your inner Marie Kondo and ask yourself: does this spark joy? If not, it's time to bid it adieu. Certificates, tax forms, and medical records included. Especially if they not only don’t spark joy but there is no legitimate use for them.

2. Embrace Digital Tools

Scanning documents can be a game-changer. Say goodbye to clutter and hello to a tidy digital archive. Your future self will thank you.

3. Sentimental Showdown

Those heartfelt cards and mementos tug at our heartstrings, but do they serve a purpose gathering dust? Keep the sentiment, ditch the clutter.

Finding Balance in a Digital Age

As we navigate the murky waters of paper vs. pixels, remember: it's okay to be somewhere in between. Embrace the nostalgia of handwritten letters while embracing the convenience of digital storage. After all, life's too short to be buried in paper.

Bonus Tips: What Else Could You Tackle?

What other areas do you need to address in terms of balancing old and new methods? How have you reconciled the in-between?

Decluttering: The Paper Predicament