October 29th, 2024 – Happy 54th birthday to my hubby, another year on the books!
Oh, and a big thanks to all of you who have been emailing to tell me what you’re going to say NO to…keep it up! I’ve got my pom-poms ready to cheer to you on.
Current musings:
I’m not letting go of this SAY NO (to say yes to your focus) theme quite yet, or maybe never…it’s THAT good, friend.
Saying NO is wildly empowering…because it opens up space for what you need to say YES to.
Before you get all crazy, though, there are some things that we can’t say no to without repercussions. (I know, what a bummer!)
For example, can you say NO to dealing with your paper? Unfortunately no, but you 100% can say no to things that are optional, extra, no longer bringing you joy. Like that unfinished project. Like those undone scrapbooks.
Say NO to the guilt!
You know when you open your fridge and there’s tons of food/ingredients but nothing ready to eat? Frustrating!
I’m sure that’s how it feels when you think about going through your paper.
Those mysterious, dusty doom boxes of paper are tough, because you’ve likely got 5% of necessary (possibly vital), and the rest is complete garbage!
And worse: have you been saddled with someone ELSE’S paper?? A loved one who passed before going through theirs?
I can’t stress it enough, you must, friend.
But here’s a warning: Do NOT do it alone. It’s NO FUN.
Can it be FUN? you might ask…guess what? Yes, 100% YES.
When I think about the weekend long paper organizing retreats we’ve had, I laugh and laugh remembering all the crazy stuff people found! And since we were together, it was way more fun to cull that stuff. No one EVER went back home with their car as full as it had been when they arrived!
Here’s how you do it:
Would you keep your pantry items in 8 different places around your house? No way! The pantry is the best example of a zone that gets established in a house without a second thought.
I bet you’ve got paper in at least 8 different places right now. Is that an impediment to progress? 100%.
Hey, can you try the pantry trick with your paper? Take a page from the Marie Kondo philosophy of putting all your paper together in one space, as much as you can, anyway. That one action will give you direction and perspective like no other!
So, I ask you: where is the logical place in your home to gather the paper? If you have a filing cabinet, that could be a logical corralling spot. First, though, grab a box and take all the paper off the top of it (yes, I knew you had a bunch there!), then get another box and go around your house and find the rest of the piles! Even if it’s junk mail (sheesh this time of year is brutal for the election junk mailers!) I still want you to gather it up.
Bankers boxes are your friend! As well as a NOKBox (←affiliate link) if you have one!
Until it’s all in one place, it’s not going to get tended to, am I right? If past patterns are any indication…then yeahhhh.
But there’s hope, friend!
You can work on this project on Thursdays at noon with us, or even better, come join us in the FOCUS Mentorship Membership! We got you!
Inquiring minds: Email and tell me if you would be interested in my seeking to hold another in-person paper retreat in Spring 2025!
