A Paper Party Filled With Stories
If you’ve ever stared at a stack of papers and felt that familiar mix of overwhelm and avoidance, you’re in good company. Paper can feel heavy in more ways than one. And sometimes, the only way to begin is with a deep breath, a gentle moment, and the reminder that you don’t have to do it alone.
That was the heart of my day today.
A Tender Start to a Big Project
I spent the afternoon with a client I absolutely adore—an 82-year-old woman who has saved nearly every piece of paper she’s received in the twenty years she’s lived in her home. Not because she’s disorganized, and not because she’s unwilling to let things go. But because each item represented a moment, a memory, a person, or a story.
Her biggest wish was simple and full of love:
She didn’t want to leave all of that sorting to her children.
But paper is her least favorite thing to decide about. So she asked me to come and help… and she requested one thing:
“Tell me stories while we work.”
So we did.
The Sweetest Kind of Paper Decluttering Party
Instead of blasting upbeat music or turning it into a high-energy event, we created something softer, something much more her: water, a cup of tea, and stories.
She told me about friends we both know, about greeting cards she treasured, about why she saved a particular magazine, about the origins of an account from years ago. I told her wedding updates about my daughter and a few stories she insisted on hearing again because they made her smile.
And while we talked, we worked.
Together we processed nearly twenty-five banker’s boxes of paper—some destined for industrial shredding, some for recycling, and a few saved for gentle micro-sorting later. With every box emptied, the house felt lighter. She felt lighter.
By the end, we had six full bags ready for the recycling dumpster and stacks of securely taped boxes ready for shredding pickup. And the best part? She never felt alone, rushed, or overwhelmed.
It wasn’t just a decluttering session.
It was a celebration of her life, her memories, and her desire to ease the future for her family.
The Lesson Hidden in the Paper
Organizing doesn’t always look like the movies. It doesn’t have to be loud or fast or color-coded from the start. Sometimes, the most meaningful work happens quietly—over tea, in conversation, with someone sitting beside you who isn’t judging, pushing, or hurrying.
And sometimes the goal isn’t about the paper at all.
It’s about peace.
It’s about love.
It’s about choosing not to carry everything by yourself anymore.
You Deserve a Happy Decluttering Day, Too
Whether your paper pile is one box or twenty-five, you deserve to feel supported, calm, and encouraged while you work through it. Your home holds your memories—and those memories deserve to be honored with kindness, not stress.
And you deserve to enjoy the process.
Even if it’s just you, a quiet moment, and a warm drink.
Every space you lighten is an act of self-care.
Every drawer or box you release creates room to breathe again.
Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.
Photo: Andy Lee @andy-lee
