I’m working on filing paper as I find it, and creating new files as necessary. I’m also recycling and shredding paper, but most significantly, I’m trying to be proactive and avoid bringing paper in to the house, and in to my office. For example, at our last visit to the health unit, I turned down their brochures on child development because I know I can get all that information off their web site.

Cleaning and organizing my office is also becoming a lesson in untangling all the different parts of my life. My office needs to have defined spaces for my responsibilities as a student, a researcher, a entrepreneur, a volunteer, and a board member. It also has to accommodate looking after our personal financial records, health care information, and personal papers. That’s places a lot of demand on one person, me, and one space.

Hopefully the process of cleaning, painting, adding appropriate shelving, organizing, and decorating the space to reflect me, will bring both an inner and outer sense of order. My office should be energizing yet relaxing, organized and efficient, and reflective of what matters to me. That way I’ll enjoy working here, and I’ll be more effective in all my responsibilities.