What? It’s not a typo – it’s exactly what it says.  Simplify your Simplify.  The recent mindset of focusing on the important and discarding the unnecessary has become increasingly appealing to many.  So now that the initial love affair with this has somewhat settled, we have some food for thought for those that truly desire to continue to live more simply.
 
After you have done your first major declutter, your ensuing decluttering of the underlying layers, all your donation drop-offs, adapted your spending to suit your new mentality – why do you still at times feel that you still need to simplify? 
 
This is not as rare as you may imagine.  Even after the majority of our stuff (physical, mental, emotional etc) has been significantly reduced it is common to still have areas or categories that are too full.
 
A very helpful and efficient way of eliminating this is to take a look at the way you have chosen to simplify.  True, it may be simpler than how you did it in the past but is it still too complicated to maintain?  Let’s take the dreaded bugbear of paperwork as an example. 
 
You have a huge pile of general paperwork staring at you, following you wherever you go in the room.  Your first impulse may be to start separate piles for each company or type of paper which will then each need a separate folder and label.  Are you tired yet?  It’s a project.
 
Instead, it will be much more motivating and just as productive to do an initial sort.  One box for keep and one for bin.  That’s it.  Put on a playlist or your favourite movie and do just that – each piece has only 2 options – discard or keep.
 
Once this has been done you will only have one pile that needs attention.  Your mental powers will be focused and therefore simplified. 
 
Now for the actual filing of the keep pile.  Instead of a separate folder for each credit card company just put all credit card statements in the same file.  Instead of a separate folder for each insurance policy just put all policies in the same file.  You get the gist.  This may not seem detailed enough for you in the beginning but it will get you through that disheartening mountain of paper and get it out of view and into a relatively organised state.  Experiment with it.  Nothing is set in stone.  From there you can tweak it and maybe have some more details as you find they become necessary but always keep in mind the ease of maintenance required for each ‘simplified system’ you put in place.
 
This method can be applied to any kind of system in your home or office.  Clothes, books, utensils, music etc.  Play with it and remember the goal is to Simplify your Simplify so it actually does its job and makes your life easier.
 

How long is the list?  Time, money, motivation, cooperation from others in your household, lack of space, storage or organisational tools?
 
Time – this is a relatively easy fix.  It depends more on your staying power than actual time.  For example, you may not feel you can dedicate a complete day or 4 hour session of decluttering and organising.  That is true for many.  So let’s break it down. 
(How do you eat an elephant? – bite by bite)
 
You may better be able to work in 15 minute increments.  Set your timer for 15 minutes each day.  Stop and start according to the timer and celebrate that.  No need to do a marathon of decluttering, you are doing this for you not to prove anything to anyone else.
 
Perhaps an empty box or bag in your closet may be the ticket – as you go through your day and you find something that can better serve someone else you just drop it in the box.  Over time you will have a full box to donate. 
 
Each time you receive a phone call from a charity that is willing to pick up just say yes.  Even if nothing is ready to donate you have a definite date to work towards.  Start a box and put 3 items
(for example, this number is flexible) in it each day until pick up day.
 
Whatever reason has been your excuse to date let’s just be kind to our future selves and dive in. 
 
Money – this excuse is just that, an excuse.  Money is not a success factor in this exercise.  You may be thinking you don’t have the funds to buy the funky containers or other organising tools you see in magazines or on TV.  Guess what? – those photos and shots are staged by a team of professionals!  Let’s embrace real life and make it work for us.  Before you buy anything it is imperative to declutter and sort.  That is the only way to have a clear picture of what you need, want or want to save for.  One step at a time please.
 
Motivation – ah, the devil we know!  Here is where an accountability buddy is invaluable.  Choose wisely, a trusted person who will support not judge.  Being able to share your small steps of achievement is a major contributor to your success.  If you find your chosen one becomes more of a hindrance than a help then it’s time to swap them for another cheerleader.  I’m not saying dump them from your life but to adjust the role. 
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Take photos of your start, process and finish.  These are very good at reminding of us that we are making strides.
 
Cooperation from others – start with you.  Sound simple but it’s actually a hard one.  Focus on what you are doing and let the others be.  They more than likely will be positively touched by your example but if not, remember that you are doing yourself a kindness.  They will choose their own path.  Letting that burden go is very refreshing to the soul.  It may be an ongoing mindset you need to work on but that’s the way we cultivate staying power.
 
Enjoy the ride!