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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]My writing life was out of control. After spending two weeks decluttering my writing space, I set a new goal to stay clutter-free.
One of my biggest problems is paper. While I love to write in libraries and coffee shops, my primary writing space is in a guest bedroom in my house. But years of rough drafts, files, and old mail left me surrounded by lots of abandoned paper. As I looked around, I realized my writing oasis was uninspiring. I was in desperate need of a makeover.
Here are the steps I took to clean up my writing act and a few tools to help me simplify my writing life.
STEP #1 – Divide and Conquer
I divided all of my clutter into four piles – keep, donate, relocate and trash. I used my shredder to get rid of every unwanted, outdated piece of paper. Only a small amount of paperwork remained. I found a few storage boxes, which fit nicely on a shelf in the closet, to hold the items I plan to keep. I also found a portable file folder to help me when writing on the road.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=” Storage Boxes” style=”3d” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTri-Coastal-Design-Decorative-Stackable-Inspirational%2Fdp%2FB07PXTSTF9%2Fref%3Das_li_ss_tl%3Fkeywords%3Dstorage%2Bcontainer%2Boffice%26qid%3D1559659297%26s%3Dgateway%26sr%3D8-145%26linkCode%3Dsl1%26tag%3Dconstantcommu-20%26linkId%3D6ed387f46be41c072328f1987ee0c35d%26language%3Den_US|title:Storage%20Boxes|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=” Shredder” style=”3d” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2JUY2QQ|title:Portable%20Storage%20Box|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]JTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tJTJGZHAlMkZCMDdGM1ZXM04yJTJGcmVmJTNEYXNfbGlfc3NfaWwlM0Zwc2MlM0QxJTI2cGRfcmRfaSUzREIwN0YzVlczTjIlMjZsaW5rQ29kZSUzRGxpMyUyNnRhZyUzRGNvbnN0YW50Y29tbXUtMjAlMjZsaW5rSWQlM0Q4NGJjNjc5ODVmNmRmN2Q2ZmFlZWQ1MjVhMmZiNGFiOCUyNmxhbmd1YWdlJTNEZW5fVVMlMjIlMjB0YXJnZXQlM0QlMjJfYmxhbmslMjIlM0UlM0NpbWclMjBib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyJTJGJTJGd3MtbmEuYW1hem9uLWFkc3lzdGVtLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMlMkZxJTNGX2VuY29kaW5nJTNEVVRGOCUyNkFTSU4lM0RCMDdGM1ZXM04yJTI2Rm9ybWF0JTNEX1NMMjUwXyUyNklEJTNEQXNpbkltYWdlJTI2TWFya2V0UGxhY2UlM0RVUyUyNlNlcnZpY2VWZXJzaW9uJTNEMjAwNzA4MjIlMjZXUyUzRDElMjZ0YWclM0Rjb25zdGFudGNvbW11LTIwJTI2bGFuZ3VhZ2UlM0Rlbl9VUyUyMiUyMCUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0NpbWclMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmlyLW5hLmFtYXpvbi1hZHN5c3RlbS5jb20lMkZlJTJGaXIlM0Z0JTNEY29uc3RhbnRjb21tdS0yMCUyNmxhbmd1YWdlJTNEZW5fVVMlMjZsJTNEbGkzJTI2byUzRDElMjZhJTNEQjA3RjNWVzNOMiUyMiUyMHdpZHRoJTNEJTIyMSUyMiUyMGhlaWdodCUzRCUyMjElMjIlMjBib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwYWx0JTNEJTIyJTIyJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJib3JkZXIlM0Fub25lJTIwJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTIwbWFyZ2luJTNBMHB4JTIwJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTIyJTIwJTJGJTNF[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=” Porta File Carrier” style=”3d” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07F3VW3N2%2Fref%3Das_li_ss_tl%3Fpsc%3D1%26pd_rd_i%3DB07F3VW3N2%26linkCode%3Dsl1%26tag%3Dconstantcommu-20%26linkId%3D369ebdeaafa46278a9d89b26b56675f7%26language%3Den_US|title:Porta%20File%20Carrier|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
STEP #2 – Let Things Go
After my paper shredding exercise, which left me with seven full trash bags, I knew I had to deal with my mindset on paper. Going forward, most of my bills are paperless. As part of my new process, I now deal with paper within a week by either filing it or throwing it away. For my writing projects, I use cloud-based storage and a flash drive that works with my smartphone. A small desk organizer helps to keep office supplies in one place.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=”Flash Drive” style=”3d” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3hGrUAD|title:Flash%20Drive|target:_blank”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=” StoreSMART – Plastic Pages” style=”3d” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2In4PzJ|title:StoreSMART%20-%20Plastic%20Pages|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=” Desk Organizer” style=”3d” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2EQOouw|title:Desk%20Organizer|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
STEP #3 – Make Room for Inspiration
In an article by NY Book Editors on how to build the perfect writing space, I was reminded to include things that inspire me. In my new writing space, now clean and clutter free, I added a few things like silk flowers and the latest picture of my husband and son.
Since reorganizing my writing space, I have learned a lot about decluttering and simplifying my writing space.
If you have any ideas on how I can keep it going, please share.[/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=”How do you declutter and simplify your writing life?” h4=”To share your best tip” txt_align=”center” style=”3d” add_icon=”right” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-pencil” i_color=”orange” i_background_style=”rounded-less”]Click here[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2808″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
