Organize Your Files: 4 Easy Steps

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I thought I had files that were organized… But, not too long ago I needed a few important documents for booking an awesome European vacation. Also, not too long ago, I could not find those important documents in order to complete and go on this awesome European vacation. Long story short, I could not find my oldest daughters birth certificate and social security card! *Gasps* I know… I felt like Awful Mom of the Year. I was dumbfounded on where on earth I had put them. That’s when I told myself, “You need to organize your files.”

This is when I realized, apparently, I needed to reorganize my files of important paperwork. I did not want to get stuck in a situation like this ever again. So, here I lay out the simple steps I follow each time I organize something.

1. Empty Everything

I took all the paperwork out of my current system, out of the desk drawers, and off of my husband’s desk. I set it in a huge pile on the floor of the living room. Basically where important papers had been stuffed away, I emptied that spot and put it all on the living room floor.

2. Declutter and Sort

Then I started to go through the pile, paper by paper. I’d place papers in mini-piles according to a fitting theme. Paperwork having to do with our home went in a mini-pile. Paperwork for taxes went in another mini-pile. Birth certificates and social security cards made its own mini-pile. You get the idea. Overall, when the entire original pile had been gone through, I had approximately 10 sorted piles. I also had a pile of trash and shred paperwork. Knowing I had about 10 piles helped me to know what kind of filing system I would need to purchase to organize all of it. This process took me only about 40 minutes or so.

3. Organize While Making it Pretty

My favorite part of decluttering and organizing is putting everything back together again whilst making it look pretty. Now, after sorting and decluttering, I knew I had 10 piles so I knew what size filing system I needed. I also knew that the new system I purchased would need a handle for easy “grab and go” in case of emergencies. My last system did not have that. So off to the store I went to find my match.

I ended up with an adorable little filing system that would not only organize my files, but look pretty too. All I had to do was add a label to each tab. I wrote a name on each label that I thought was fitting, and put the mini-piles of papers in each slot. This process also only took me about 30 minutes. I used some super simple labels from Post-It. These made the process easy! The Post-It labels are removable without any damage, so if I were to change my mind I could easily remove and start over. Both the Post-It labels I used and the filing system are linked below. Check them out! #ad

4. Keep It That Way

Now, technically this last step is presumed and a step that occurs in the future. But now that I have all my files neat and orderly, in an easy to use system that looks pretty, then that should mean that it will also be easy to keep it that way.

It always feels so good to have an area of the home organized and cleaned out. A weight is lifted off my shoulders. I started small to feel successful, with just my files. If you’d like to see how I organized my medicine cabinet and a portion of my closet, then check that out here! I hope this helps you to get inspired to organize your files. Next I’ll be on to another small area of my home… Can’t wait to decide what it is!