Paper clutter is one of those sneaky stressors in a mom’s life—it doesn’t take up much space, but it takes up a lot of mental energy. Every pile of unopened mail, school papers, and random receipts is like a running to-do list that never gets checked off. The problem? Paper is so easy to accumulate.
It comes into our homes daily—from school backpacks, doctor’s offices, and delivery packages—and it piles up because each piece feels like it might be important. And when you’re already juggling meals, laundry, and keeping small humans alive, sorting through stacks of paper is the last thing you want to spend time on.
But the longer it sits, the heavier it feels—until suddenly, a simple stack of papers feels like an overwhelming mess you don’t even know how to start dealing with.
If you're tired of the paper piles...
Here is one of my best decluttering strategies for managing paper once and for all—because you don’t need a better filing system, you just need less paper.
Every time my kids bring home a new drawing or a perfect spelling test, I want to keep it all. But let’s be real—if I saved every worksheet, my house would be drowning in paper. So, I found a system that lets me keep the most meaningful memories without keeping everything.
If you’re buried under school papers but don’t know what to toss or save, this guide will help. You’ll get simple strategies to organize, display, and preserve your child’s best work—without the guilt.
Even though it’s not quite planting time, I can feel the itch—spring is coming, and I am SO excited to get my hands in the dirt again! A few years ago, I never would’ve guessed I’d be this eager to grow my own food. I assumed gardening was complicated, that I needed tons of space, live in the perfect climate, or that you had to be born with some magical green thumb.
But then I actually tried it. And you know what? It’s way easier than I thought.
I love Grow-It-Yourself (GIY)—it takes all the guesswork out of gardening. If you’ve ever wanted to grow food but felt overwhelmed, this program makes it simple. Step-by-step guidance, a super supportive community, and even 1:1 mentorship mean you’re never left figuring it out alone.
And I have to give a huge shoutout to Nicky Schauder—she is amazing. Nicky learned to garden not just for herself, but for her six kids, making sure they had fresh, homegrown food right from their backyard. She turned what seemed impossible into a thriving family garden, and now she teaches others to do the same. I love her heart for helping people grow food, and she breaks it down in such an easy, doable way.
If you want help growing your own garden, no matter where you live, definitely learn from Nicky.
My Favorite Thing This Week
Let’s talk about the Bark Phone for Kids. If you’ve been stressed about giving your child a phone but want to keep them safe and connected, this is the game-changer. The Bark phone lets you monitor their activity without hovering, giving them independence and keeping your peace of mind intact. Seriously, I wish I had this sooner!
I rarely do live events, but when Megan Caldwell invited me to be part of The ROCKSTAR Mom, I knew I had to say yes.
Megan’s story really stuck with me—her family lost their home in a fire, and while that’s not the focus of this event, it hit hard. So many moms in our community have faced sudden loss, big changes, or the weight of clutter piling up until it’s unbearable.
This event is all about taking control—of your home, your mindset, and your life. And yes, Megan let me riff on some of my favorite decluttering topics, which felt so good! Plus, you’ll hear from some familiar faces like Megan Dahlman and Michelle Grosser.
Each session is just 30 minutes (perfect for listening while you’re folding laundry or making dinner), and it’s totally free—plus, you get a free gift with every session.
Quick Win of the Week
Paper clutter builds up fast, but you don’t have to spend hours sorting through it to make progress. This quick 60-second challenge is all about fast decisions and immediate relief.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Set a timer for one minute. Seriously, just one. No time to overthink—just action. 2. Scan your space for loose papers—on the counter, fridge, nightstand, or that overflowing drawer. 3. Toss 10 pieces of paper—expired coupons, old receipts, junk mail, outdated school notes, event flyers, or random scribbled notes you meant to do something with but never did. 4. Bonus round? If you’re on a roll, keep going! Every little bit counts.
Pro Tip: Keep arecycling bin and a shredder nearby to make it easy to immediately get rid of what you don’t need. The less you hold onto, the lighter your home (and mind) will feel.
