How to Stop Drowning In Fall Paper Clutter
It’s that time of year again.
Fall is known for starting new routines, projects, and schedules.
There’s lunches to pack, appointments to figure out, school supplies to buy, and a constant stream of the dreaded fall paper clutter.
It’s everywhere people!
My two oldest are in school full time and the third is in preschool two days a week this year.
They’re transitioning so well but let me tell you what is NOT transitioning so well…
The paper situation.
We’re talking mountains here.
The forms, calendars, homework, open houses, fundraisers, coupons, bake sales, book clubs, supplies lists, folders, art projects, science fairs, waivers, etc. are just way too many details for my little creative brain to keep up with.
I’m sure many of you even have it worse with more kids in school or homeschooling.
I’ve battled paper clutter before, but it seems especially out of control during this season.
The incoming paper does not end.
So I needed some serious strategies to survive the fall season and all of its details.
Here’s what I’ve come up with but feel free to share your tips too so that more of us can have cleared kitchen counters (for the love!).
THE FALL PAPER STRATEGY
1 | Bust Out The Clipboard
This is so that things that need done NOW are highly visible.
If any forms come in that I have to take action with, I clip them to the board so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Keep this clipboard in an easy-to-access place in plain view. Hang it up.
2 | Create A Folder + Bin For Each Family Member
The folder is for temporary papers. The bin is for keepsakes.
Each person unloads their backpack of papers into the folder that pertains to them and clip important things to the clipboard.
(Or if you have younger kids like me, you can do this for them so you won’t miss details.)
Over the weekend, I empty the folders into their special bins, saving only the keepsakes like artwork, awards, reports.
These hanging file bins from the Container Store are my favorite because they are slim enough to fit in a cabinet and easy to open. I also love their cute colored hanging folders and their erasable labels.
The weekend is also when upcoming events go on the calendar…
3 | Post Calendars Front & Center
I am constantly needing to be reminded of pretty much everything.
Which school cycle day is it? What’s today’s menu? When is that lesson, appointment, picture day?
I have to have it all in one place or it’s going to be forgotten.
We keep the important calendar details on the refrigerator and then get rid of event papers.
That way everyone can easily check it multiple times a day and don’t lose track of those details as easily.
4 | Digitize Paper Details
Sometimes you lose papers.
Sometimes you need to know details when you’re not at home.
Or sometimes your 3-year-old throws away the calendar on the fridge.
When you don’t want to keep track of a form, quickly enter the info on your phone.
You can use Google Calendar, Asana, the Notes App, or just screenshot a form.
That way, you don’t have to dig through papers to find details and it's always with you.
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