Decluttering & Shredding Paper Piles {15 Minute Mission}

Today's mission is all about decluttering and shredding paper piles.


This is actually a mission that I've listed several times on the declutter calendar each year. The reason is pretty obvious -- most of us can't clear away all these paper piles in just one 15 minute session.

This is the kind of mission you just have to do, over and over again, slowly but surely, and those piles will diminish little by little.

It can feel overwhelming going through huge stacks of paper. That's why I suggest breaking it down into 15 minute segments. Work on it for 10 minutes, and then clean up, file or dispose or papers for the last 5 minutes.

After that 15 minute session if you want to do another one, go for it. But if not, be done for a while, and enjoy that you cleaned up your mess as you went so things are not in a worse state than when you started.

Here's some resources for you to use when you declutter paper:

• How To Declutter Piles Of Paper - 4 Questions To Ask


• How Long Should You Keep Papers {Including Printable Cheat Sheet}


• What Documents Need To Be Shredded


• Criteria When Choosing A Home Paper Shredder


• How {And Why} To Use Paper Shredding Services When Decluttering Lots Of Paper At Once

Once you've decluttered and shredded paper there should be a much small stack of papers left that you want to keep.

To help you with this part of the mission -- filing -- here's the main challenge article on how to organize your home filing system.

Below I've also attached some pictures from others who've already taken on this mission. I hope these photos will help inspire you to tackle your own paper clutter and slowly, but surely, get rid of it!


Top photo courtesy of Liz West

Shredding Receipts To Get Them Out Of The House

by Joan

This photo, above, was provided by a reader, Joan. She said, "Shredding old receipts...it feels good to get it out of the house."

Yes, it sure does feel good to get all the clutter out of your home! Great job Joan!

If you'd like to learn more about decluttering receipts, in particular, you can check out my article on how to declutter receipts here.

My Paper Decluttering Progress

by Cindie

All these pics are from a reader, Cindie. She says, "I'm getting there."

Yes you are Cindie! So proud of you. I can tell you've put in a lot of work, with lots of 15 minute sessions, but you definitely are making great progress!

Cleared Paper Clutter Off Landing Zone

Zena sent in this before and after photo, saying, "I'm so excited. I de-cluttered our "landing zone" and made a tickler file too!!

The photo on the left is before.

I explained the file to my friend and she said it is organization on crack. I'm so excited to use it. Wish me luck!!"

Once you've done quite a few of these missions you'll begin to accumulate a lot of paper for the recycling bin, and for the shredder.

Above is a photo from a reader, Clarissa, who shredded a bunch of her paper clutter, along with doing a bunch of other decluttering. She said, "Those four bags in the front are full of shredded paper! Yay!!!"

Are You Ready To Declutter Your Home?

I hope seeing these pictures has inspired you to declutter and shred your paper piles.

When you begin to declutter the feeling you get is contagious, so if you're loving the results you're getting I would encourage you to keep going.

I've got a whole series of 15 minute decluttering missions (eventually 365 of them!) that you can do.

Just pick and choose the ones you want to do, that will make a big impact in your home. But if you want someone else to tell you the order you can also grab the 15 minute daily decluttering mission calendars and follow along as we all get our homes clutter free together!

Related Pages You May Enjoy

Getting Clutter Free 15 Minutes At A Time Hall Of Fame

Getting Rid Of Paper Clutter Hall Of Fame

Paper Organization {Series}: Take Control Of Your Paper!

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