Where did I put those papers?

Yesterday afternoon I realized that I needed to find some paperwork from almost 6 years ago. Now, I pride myself in being a pretty organized person. But our personal paperwork situation lacks a bit of organization.

Our only file cabinet is in the office closet and it's completely packed with past bills, receipts, etc. On top of it sits a single, plastic file drawer which is also full. On top of that sits a 6 inch pile of paperwork to be filed. And finally, on the floor is a small portable file for 2006 bills and receipts (since they won't fit anywhere else).

So, you can see I have a rather elaborate system. So when I realized that I needed to find this paperwork, I knew it had to be somewhere in the closet, but the question remained, "Where?"

Chris and I basically tore the closet apart...pulling everything* out. We still hadn't found it and the situation felt a little hopeless. I pulled out the single plastic file drawer all the way (which I was only able to do after we cleared out all the boxes) and stuck my hand down into the pile of old bank statements stacked in the back of the drawer. Lo and behold there was a thick manila envelope. I knew right away that was what we'd been looking for. And, sure enough, it was. What a relief.

All in all it was a productive effort. We ended up throwing 2 garbage bags of stuff away which felt really good. I think I'm getting to the point in life where throwing things away gives me more satisfaction than saving things. I'm into life simplification.

All this reminds me that I never shared my goals for 2007. I'll have to leave that for another post.


*I should mention that in addition to the elaborate file system there are 2 large plastic storage bins of pictures and assorted other stuff. On top of those bins sat probably 10 or 12 boxes from old cell phones, new cell phones and who knows what else. I think it's safe to say that I have a tendency to hold onto things. I mean, how do I know when I buy a new phone or hair dryer that I'm going to keep it? I need to have the box if I'm going to return it. The fact that I never get around to throwing out the boxes even after I no longer have the item is beside the point.