Last autumn I made the decision to put the house on the market sometime in 2014. Once that was decided, I wanted to start decluttering as soon as possible because, as an organizer, I knew how long the process can take. I can downsize a closet in no time, but tackling paperwork is another matter, so I knew I had to start with that. I had paperwork from when I settled my parents’ estate in 1998. I also had boxes with my children’s schoolwork. Not to be forgotten were taxes forms and related paperwork going back to 2000 as well as files related to managing a house and family. And, last but not least, there was my business paperwork.
Since it was winter, I wasn’t tempted to go outside to enjoy the nice weather which was perfect for sorting through paperwork. Fortunately, everything had been filed and stored where I could find it. Every day I would spend about two hours pulling out files. I shredded just about everything. I only kept the important papers. I knew I could destroy all tax-related files seven years after taxes were filed. However, I decided to shred the supporting documents only and keep the federal and state tax forms as well as the corresponding W-2 forms. I will write about why I kept the tax forms another time.
I didn’t destroy everything. I did keep some papers. I have set those aside so I can scan them. This has been an incredibly long process; I am still paring down. I am so glad I started early. I feel a little less stressed now that the paperwork has been taken care of.