Sep 12 - Paperwork Pile Solutions - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Fri, 09/12/25

Updated: Sat, 09/13/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

September 12, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Sort today’s mail into three spots: Act On, Recycle, File. A clear counter tomorrow morning will feel like a fresh start.

Paperwork Pile Solutions

It’s amazing how quickly paper piles can sneak up on us...mail on the counter, bills tucked into a drawer, and catalogs stacked on the table. September is a wonderful month to tame those piles before the holidays add even more to the mix. With cooler evenings setting in, this is the perfect time to make paperwork part of a simple, calming evening routine.

1. Create a Consistent Evening Habit: Pick a time each evening and make it your paperwork moment. Instead of tackling a mountain all at once, work through one folder, one stack, or one section of the pile at a time. The consistency matters more than the speed, and you’ll see progress faster than you think.

2. Cozy Up the Task: Paperwork doesn’t have to feel cold and tedious. Light a candle, play soft music, and sit somewhere comfortable. A cozy environment makes it easier to stick with your routine and may even help you look forward to it.

3. Use a Simple Sorting System: Have three places ready for every piece of paper: Act On, Recycle, File. Bills or forms that need attention go into Act On, junk mail goes straight into Recycle, and items you need to keep, like tax documents or medical papers, go into File. This eliminates the shuffle of moving papers from one pile to another.

4. Try a “One-Touch” Rule: Whenever possible, handle each paper only once. If you open the mail and it’s a bill, drop it directly into Act On. If it’s junk, straight into Recycle. This keeps piles from forming in the first place.

5. Keep Supplies Handy: Make it easy on yourself by keeping a small basket with pens, stamps, envelopes, and a letter opener in your paperwork area. That way, you don’t waste time hunting for tools when you’re ready to sit down.

6. Celebrate Your Progress: At the end of each session, admire the clear space you’ve created. Maybe place a small vase of fall flowers or a pumpkin decoration where the pile used to be. That visual reward reinforces the effort and encourages you to keep it going.

Get Ready for Fall!

Cozy season is calling! My carefully curated list brings together the best of both worlds...practical must-haves to make life easier and decorative touches that instantly warm up your home. From essentials that keep you organized and comfortable to charming accents that celebrate the season, you’ll find everything you need to welcome autumn in style. Visit: Get Ready for Fall

How Paper Changed the World

Long before our kitchen counters were covered with mail and flyers, paper had a much nobler beginning. The very first true paper was created in China around 105 A.D. by a court official named Cai Lun. He mixed mulberry bark, hemp, rags, and water, then pressed and dried it into thin sheets. Compared to bamboo strips and silk (the writing materials used before), this invention was lightweight, practical, and inexpensive.

From there, papermaking spread slowly, first to the Middle East, then to Europe by the 12th century. By the time Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1400s, paper had become essential for books, letters, and eventually newspapers.

It’s incredible to think that the same material once used to preserve poetry, science, and history is now what piles up on our desks and counters.

Remembering its origins might just make it a little easier to respect paper.

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Here are the topics in the September Issue...

The September Pause
The Quiet Bridge Between Two Busy Seasons
A reflective look at why September invites us to reset, with easy ways to breathe, recalibrate, and ease into fall

5 Energy Boost Foods for Fall
Simple, Nourishing Foods to Power You Through Shorter Days
Five everyday bites (hello, avocado toast and apples!) that steady your energy without the sugar crash

The Gift of Empty Spaces
Clearing Clutter to Make Room for What Matters
How a few intentionally empty surfaces can lower stress and prepare your home and mind for the busier days ahead

The Harvest Moon
History, Folklore, and Celebrating September’s Brightest Night
Where the name comes from, what it has symbolized for centuries, and simple ways to enjoy its golden glow

Ready, Set, Fall!
Simple Tasks to Prep Your Home for Fall/Winter
A climate-inclusive checklist to tidy outdoors, refresh indoors, and handle quick safety/energy tune-ups

Sweater Weather Science
Why That First Cool Breeze Feels So Different
A playful peek at the temperature, humidity, and sensory shifts that make autumn air feel irresistibly “crisp”

The Healing Vase
How a Simple Gift Carries Hope from One Heart to Another...you don't want to miss this one!
A tender story about a traveling vase, today’s bouquet, and passing along comfort when someone needs it most

Your September Menu Plan
2 Weeks of Easy Seasonal Meal Ideas
Flexible, family-friendly dinner ideas for warm days and cozy nights

Healthy Apple Crisp
A Wholesome Fall Treat
Honeycrisp apples, oat-nut topping, and cinnamon bake into a lighter dessert that still tastes like pure autumn

Cozy Sunday Afternoons
How to Make Sunday Afternoons in Autumn Feel Special
Simple ways to soak up the cozy vibe that makes this season so memorable

Kicking Through a Pile of Leaves
Autumn’s Crunchiest Delight
A mini-essay on the sound of fall and that satisfying crunch that makes every step a smile

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GON Member Bonus!

As a valued member of my GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter, you get exclusive bonuses, PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones. This month's featured bonus is my...

15-Minute Decluttering Projects Printable

Need a quick win? This free printable gives you 15 super-specific decluttering projects you can finish in just 15 minutes each. Print it out, hang it where you’ll see it, and check off one task every day or two. You’ll feel lighter, more organized, and instantly accomplished, one small space at a time.

Plus, my 2025 Monthly Organizing Calendar is always available for you to access...jump in this month and start tackling those organizing tasks with ease.

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September Monthly Mini-Challenges: Discover 30 inspiring self-care challenges to boost your physical health, emotional balance, and mental well-being. Simple daily habits, like gratitude journaling, mindful walks, meditation, and joyful routines, will help you feel calmer, happier, and more energized all month long

September Monthly Checklist: My September 2025 monthly checklist features 30 fresh, actionable tasks to help you manage household clutter, fine-tune schedules, refresh spaces, and embrace seasonal changes with intention

"When your space is calm, your mind reaps the benefits."
-- Jennifer Noseworthy

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Warmly,

Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

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-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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