Taming the paperwork monster

This post is part of my September challenge (even if it's October!). I aimed to organise/declutter one small area of my home each day for the month of September (and did ok, until other things got in the way!).

The topic of this post is paperwork. Bills, certificates, bank statements, any sort of important document. I used to have mine in four different places, and each time I'd need a piece of paper, I'd have to remember which category it was in, and where that category was stored. Once I decided to overhaul it, it became one big pile, and stayed that way for a few weeks. Eventually, I'd had enough and devoted a long afternoon to the job. 

I used Brooke from Slow your Home's guide to banishing the paper clutter. It's amazing, so well thought out and easy to follow. I just noticed it was posted on my birthday, which makes it even more amazing. Just sayin' ;)

I started by collecting everything and dumping it all on the floor in the living room. Every single file and bit of paper I could find. This is what I came up with:

Confusing? I think so. As luck would have it, I knew exactly where to find different bits of paper, but in the effort to simplify my life, I wanted it all in one place. My new filing system is based around an idea I found at the Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking.

I tried to find a suitable basket, but as I'm not willing to spend any money on my projects, I  searched around the house first, and found a box that was the perfect width. It's made out of thick cardboard. I bodged a banana crate from a supermarket, I basically cut out the middle part to shorten it and stuck it back together!

I then covered it in brown paper to hide the holes, and all that sticky tape! I wanted something plain and simple, because the suspension files I had available are bright red. It's no good having clashing colours (not for me anyway).

I followed Brooke's guide step by step , did all three days work (3 parts) in 5 hours and was so satisfied when I got it done. I shredded a tonne of paper that I didn't need, and finally got everything into one place:




I had the opportunity to test this out tonight. I needed a bank statement, and it was so easy to find because this box sits in the corner of my living room, and it's the only place now where I store paperwork! I was even able to put it back in its place, which I must say is an achievement for me! 


Do you have a paperwork monster lurking in your house?

Has it really been this long?

I realise I haven't posted anything here in a long time. I'd best update you on what I've been doing! 

When I last posted, I'd just begun the Project 333 quick start course. I thought I would be able to do both my September Challenge and the course, but I didn't know about the project 333 course until after I'd started my monthly challenge. So, things got a bit hectic, and I ran out of time. 

Project 333, in short, involves selecting 33 items of clothing, including jewellery, outerwear and accessories to wear for 3 months. Every quarter you change up your selection to match the season. 4 seasons, starting Jan 1st, April 1st, July 1st and Oct 1st. The rest that falls outside of the 33 gets boxed up for the next change-in-season.

As I am on a journey to simplify my life, the course was a great opportunity to become accountable for the challenge, and get involved with a community on the same path. Things are much more fun if you do them with others! Joining the course was a great experience, I am still connected to approx 200 people all over the world who are simplifying their wardrobes, and learning to live with less.  

Some photos I took during the course:

The three piles of clothes for Week 1 homework, and the donate bags after the first week. 30 items total gone to charity!

This is my wardrobe for  Oct 1st - Dec 31st. 

29 on the bed....
















...Four pairs of shoes


total = 33















This is what my drawer looks like now.


This is the only one with day-clothes in, the others have make-up and pyjamas. 

I love this! It is so easy to find what I'm looking for. 












I'm now two weeks in to the first season of Project 333. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to last the 3 months, but I'm more confident now. There is more to life than clothes, and with these choices I don't have to worry about feeling uncomfortable, or whether they look good on me. That is because, I ONLY chose items that fit well, look good and suit my style. 

In other news:

• I started a new job on October 1st, temporary to begin with, but hope to go permanent. Hence, less blogging time. 
• I have got a few more posts lined up that belong with the September challenge. 
• and several others for little things I've been doing in my flat. 
• I am committed to having and living with less stuff. Most of the projects here will be done with what I already have in the house, and preferably without spending anything. 
• I'm trying to juggle two blogs now, but I am going to try my best to keep coming here with craftiness! 

Have you been doing any big projects lately?