I’ve tackled the big, scary pile of post. I know everyone says it, but I am beginning to get really, really annoyed by the amount of junk mail we are getting – particularly all of these catalogues trying to flog Christmas stuff. At some point I’m going to phone all of these companies and ask to be taken off their mailing lists. Anyway, I sorted through the post, putting the junk mail straight into the bin and then tackled the things we need to keep. Why do banks enclose so many leaflets with each statement? Grrrr. That all went in the bin too. By the time I’d finished there was a pile that only took about 10 minutes to file and another pile that went through the shredder. Job done.
I’ve also managed to put two loads of washing on today so I’m well on course for getting my little ‘to do’ list completed over the next two weeks. None of this stuff takes very long. It is just very dull to deal with and can build up so quickly. It is just a question of making sure I do a little bit each day. Today’s effort took less than an hour, leaving me the rest of the evening to have a long bath, read my book and eat some nice food…and I’m thinking an apple crumble is probably on the cards too!
Shoestring Alley 
did I say before that one of the best bits of ‘decluttering’ advice I read was to set a timer for say 10 mins and rush about putting things back in their places. it so works for me.
I don’t remember you saying it before but I think it sounds a great idea!
sorry I think I have said it before. junk mail is a constant isn’t it.
I had a post de-clutter about a month ago – had to sit The Boy down and physically force him to look at dull statements etc. Two statements advertised that we could save £ by transferring to online statements instead… so in one swoop we saved £ and reduced our paper input. So now I make a point of opening all post as it arrives, even the boring looking stuff…sounds silly, but we didn’t before.
Kx
p.s. did you get my email?
It has to be done sometimes, doesn’t it?! I’ll check my email shortly (I don’t check my Shoestring Alley email every day – bit rubbish really). x
I know exactly what you mean about junk mail. The other thing that’s started to annoy me recently is the amount of loose leaflets tucked inside magazines when I buy them. I make a point of giving the magazine a good shake when I first pick it up now, and put all the leafletly nonsense back on the shop’s shelf!
I don’t blame you – who wants to lug all of that home and then find room in the bin for it?! I really think I am going to have to phone the companies that keep sending me their catalogues. Great Plains seem to send me one every few weeks. Frankly, if I wanted to buy anything (which I sometimes do – their online sales are amazing) I’d look at their website!
Have you tried the mail preference website – it is free to register and truly does cut down on the junk mail. Takes a couple of months to kick in but really is worth doing. The link is here:-
http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/
There will be no need for you to phone the catalogue companies direct once you’ve done this.