I can’t say I am paperless, but I do try everyday to some degree. I have recently had many clients who are trying to do the same. It has been said that clutter is a result of postponed decisions and I have to agree.
I know some perfectionists get lost after a trauma or something devastating. Since they feel like they can no longer be perfect, their decision is to just to do nothing which is a decision in itself.
I feel passionate about helping people realize that life isn’t perfect, but having too much paper around is too stressful. I ask my clients if a hurricane comes tomorrow what are you taking with you? What really matters? Why is there such attachment to stuff?
Barbara Hemphill says in her book,Taming The Paper Tiger, that four out of every five pieces of paper saved in the typical file cabinet will never be needed again. You think oh, I may need this or that. I am not sure if we will all be paperless one day or not, but I am trying to decrease my own by paying bills online, not printing what isn’t necessary, banking and shopping with an email receipt only, reading from a kindle and sending less greeting cards. Also, as a rule of thumb, try to recycle after two weeks for a weekly item and recycling after two months for a monthly item. I also try to keep junk mail at a minimum online and snail mail by unsubscribing or dragging to my junk file. You may ask after minimizing paper, how to manage digitally as well?
I say one step at a time. In all areas strive for less in general. Spend a little extra time this summer to stay neat in Miami.