Simply..paper, paper....

31/3/2017

Help!

I keep finding more!

The thing is I feel I have to read everything before I throw it away. Why? In case I miss something I suppose...I am enjoying finding notes on some things I had forgotten, and there are some gems among the diary type notes I seem to have made over many years....

Andrew aged 3, to his father John I'm Ronnie's son

John No you're not, you're my son. And who is Ronnie?

The nursery bus driver

And what makes you think you're his son?

He says 'Good morning, son' when I get on the bus

This lead to discussions about relationships and sitting beside his Mum in the car Andrew said I'm Daddy's son.

Yes, said Laura, and what are you to me?

A star! he said.

Do you read through all the old stuff before you part with it? Since reading Fly Lady I try to go through paperwork every October now, but I could be more ruthless, and the current pile is years old. I am inspired by Madeleine who lost lots of archived papers in a fire and calls it a blessing!

It's April and I plan to eat outside as often as possible - one of my favourite simple pleasures.

12 Comments

Mary

1/4/2017 01:52:38 am

As I glance around my home office, it is clear that 'Marie' has not had her principles invoked here yet (...waiting for retirement). Paper, paper everywhere. Even though I try to immediately deal with the post and toss out unnecessary papers, I place all my to-be-filed (or maybe not) documents in a large basket and sort through it once a month. But let's face it, none of it sparks joy. But I am guessing re-reading little life scenarios like the one you described, definitely sparked some joy.

Freda

1/4/2017 02:03:36 pm

Joy was sparked! But you are right - most of it is a bore. (Would it be a possibilty to reach retirement with that job done? Just a thought!)

Lucille

1/4/2017 02:37:06 am

I've got much better at discarding old bills. I keep credit card bills for a year but I'm sure that's not really necessary. I replace insurance documents each time the new one comes in but make a note of the old premium and any deal I managed to get it reduced.Ditto council tax, car tax etc. Previous years are just never needed. I'm still a bit wary about going paper free as I'm sure I look at the online bills less often to check them when the email comes saying there's a new one to read. I've even deleted old answerphone messages which had accumulated and that took a bit of doing because two of them have left us now. I found I was ready though and am sort of relieved not to see that big number there.

Freda

1/4/2017 02:05:37 pm

My phone saves only for a certain number of days - decisions made for me. It sounds as though you have it sorted with paper Lucille!

cath

1/4/2017 09:21:54 am

All things paper is by far the hardest category mainly because like you I want to read every snippit (is that a word? we say snipper) before deciding.
I have three folders now on my 'paper', white like the one I saw in your photograph lying on the floor yesterday. Labelled: do, read, archive doen, lezen, archiveren). In Dutch I've chosen three verbs.
Hopefully I can keep pace now with everything coming into our house in a week, I plan to empty the folders every friday.
Love your daffodils

Freda

1/4/2017 02:07:02 pm

Only three? Well done! (snippet :-) )

Lotta link

1/4/2017 12:32:31 pm

I love that picture! And what a sweet conversation - I wonder if Andrew remembers any of it. I haven't started paper yet but I have one small box of the most sentimental things which I know I will keep most of, and I have a feeling that I might be quite ruthless with all the other paperwork... I have been known to press delete on the entire contents of my email inbox on Jan 1st and the feeling is fantastic! Sometimes it's easier not to know what you're getting rid of... I've done it several times with hundreds of old emails (virtual paper) and so far I've only had one small regret which soon passed! I used to feel a bit like I was cheating somehow but now I just see it as a simple kindness to myself that I don't have to use my energy up making zillions of decisions. I wouldn't do it with the more personal things though.

Freda

1/4/2017 02:09:20 pm

I will pluck up the nerve to do that (but not yet!). A simple kindness to yourself - what a delightful way to look at it all Lotta. Running a home is like running a small business, isn't it.

cathy

1/4/2017 01:46:45 pm

I think I've gotten the paper done to a manageable amount, but there's always the opportunity to toss more. I do like to keep the sentimental, that's most likely the largest pile. Lotta - I wish I could just press delete on those emails. That's what I have trouble getting rid of. I sort through them periodically, but not as often as I should or need to.

Freda

1/4/2017 02:10:38 pm

Isn't she brave? Well done in getting papers to 'manageable'.

julia

3/4/2017 03:45:09 am

i'm with Lotta..once in awhile, i get annoyed about something and i just delete it all...i usually have a regret or two, but not for long and it is very liberating. the sentimental notes....perhaps tape them into a journal?
but you can't read it all before you let it go, or you will miss THIS present moment!

Nib's End

5/4/2017 09:43:06 pm

My paper shredder and I are best friends and we rarely have a disagreement about what to feed it. My husband, on the other hand, gets rather nervous when I sidle up to his piles with twitchy fingers.

Simply..paper, paper....

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