Organize It: Filing System

Happy Monday! I spent this entire weekend organizing our files. My living room looked like a paper war zone. For the longest time I have been in need of a proper filing system. What finally kicked this need into over drive was one day last week I needed to find a form that I just knew I had placed in one my many filing spots. I say spots cause that is exactly what they are, no proper file drawer, just on a random shelf or in a folder somewhere in my room. Yes, I am very unorganized when it comes to paper, I keep it all from school drawings from the kids to every receipt known to man. Hi, my name is Darnetha and I have a paper problem!

Well back to the point, I tore the house up looking for this one piece of paper. That was my aha moment, the light bulb went off. I headed to the Container Store to find some sort of file cabinet. After stopping by Target to get a few other essentials, I came home to dive into this overwhelming project.

First step, I had to gather all of my files, boxes, bins and loose paper from all-around the house. I didn't want to scare you, so I only took a picture of one of the stacks. I spread everything out and went through each paper and started to make piles. My piles consisted of trash, recycle, shred, file, can't decide and HOT (handle now).

I started to sort my file pile into categories and then subcategories. These categories are unique for every person and mine might not suit you. So I won't share my categories. After a day of sorting and wanting to quit I started to put them in manilla and hanging file folders.

I went a step further and added washi tape to the file folders to give an otherwise boring thing some pizzazz. The only thing I have yet to do is to actually label each file.

A stress has been lifted off my shoulders and this daunting task is finished (except for the labeling)! I also still have to shred a ton of paper but my shredder wasn't having it. I had to keep letting it cool down, I was overworking the poor thing!

Here are a few tips to follow once you have your filing system in check:

1. Always put files and paper back where they belong as soon as possible after using them.
2. File regularly - I will file once a week so my piles of paper won't build up, I have a cute box on a shelf in the living room that will serve as a spot to store them until I file them.
3. Clean out files once a year.

Did you guys organize anything this weekend? Do anything fun? Or just lounge around? I hope you found my big organization project helpful. I will see ya soon!

Linking up with Our Fifth House, Between Naps on the Porch, Sew Much Ado & Framed Frosting!