Survey #204 Response from Jade
| Pronouns | She/her |
|---|---|
| How would you rank paper clutter among the categories of stuff that you have difficulty managing? | Paper is #2. |
| For which of the following types of paper clutter would you like to get help and/or advice? (Check all that apply.) |
|
| What type of paper clutter that you struggle with did we leave off the list above? | Journals/ diaries |
Please complete any of the following statements:
| Because each bit contains a “to do” action: something to read, look up, or other sort of action- so in order to toss it out, I also need to factor in time to actually do the action, not only sorting time. If I could develop more habits going digital Before I resort to yhe default the paper step, I would be better at this. I have begun doing this for some thjbgs, but honestly really do feel like I “think through paper” sometimes, so in those instances, I do the process thinking on paper, then throw out the paper after I have gotten to a conclusion or a result. I also have little envelopes thst I pre-categorize the paper bits through, after which it is easier to sort. It creates sn additional step, but unfortunately, I have found it to be necessary in my process. An annoying thing, though, is that it really takes a lot of brain power to move through this category for me, and I under estimate a book thickness stack of papers- I don’t realize that actually that pile is as thick as a book, and you can read an entire book in 15 minutes- and could take longer to sort because it is all unrelated bits. Another thing is that I reach a saturation point, after which I still tell myself to keep going. I then leave out the papers for a few more days, thinking my previous success sorting through them and eliminating most will motivate me for thag tiny amount that remains- I can’t I’m too overwhelmed, but then I realize I have sorted through another half pile- so I can combine these to save space. Then, although the papers have been reduced and the space looks much better, it’s even more unrelated papers coming together to be sorted for later. A step forward and half a step back- but still, I have madd tremendous progress through this category over the years- and rejoice af the fact that I no longer have an all-consuming job, and can actually have time to look up those books and sort through those notes. It is also helping that I am conscious of no longer adding to this category. I will have electronic clutter, but still, it’s a big step forward. I have a habit if sorting the newly generated paper (including diaries), frequently, and each time I do that, I dig through a pile of old stuff. Phew! Oh, also I would cconsider artwork paper clutter. The fact that I had so much clutter from high school, college, and some jobs makes me feel disorganized, confused, overwhelmed and ashamed. It gives mr tremendous anxiety. I think it also has caused brain fatigue from looking at so much. I am grateful, however, that I am not attached to most of it, and have been able to process. I have developed ways of releasing the bits I was attached to. There is still a way to go, but I am also grateful that I have shifted my life to one where I am living the things that I want to do- I don’t need to write them on bits of paper to do later. 🙏 |
| Tell us about your most treasured paper item. | Maybe some artwork, but thankfully , I don’t think I have treasured paper items anymore. Phew! What a relief. |
| Here’s your chance to ask Gayle and Ed any question you’re curious about. It need not be related to this survey’s topic(s). | Wobdering why Gayle doesn’t wear the beaded things she makes. Also, to add to the lingo, my mother and her friend would always say, “hoarders in order” about themselves because they were such organized collectors, and the things they kept fit into their spaces… also, “shuffling shit” because they would constantly drive things from one space to another where if would be used. |
| Future topics | Managing feelings of overwhelm and anxiety regarding stuff and being anxious about letting it go in the sense of wanting the process to go faster. |
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