Let’s be honest – tackling a truly chaotic messy office can feel like trying to untangle a giant ball of string while blindfolded. But you’ve already done the hardest bit: deciding to sort it out. That’s your first win. Now let’s break it down into manageable chunks so it’s far less scary.
Start with the Mindset (and Some Bin Bags)
Don’t aim for Pinterest perfection. Aim for “I can find a pen and a clean mug without swearing.”
Before you touch a single item, do a quick bit of prep:
- Block out time – Just 30–60 minutes will do to start. Set a timer.
- Get your kit ready: bin bags, a recycling box, a “donate/sell” box, and one for “stuff that belongs elsewhere”.
- Clear a sorting space – even if it’s just a corner of floor or a chair.
The No-Brainer Purge: Easy Wins First
We’re not decluttering yet. We’re just getting rid of the obvious rubbish:
- Toss anything that’s clearly trash: wrappers, broken bits, dried-up pens.
- Recycle old papers, boxes, and anything else that’s cluttering up the place.
- Chuck anything that definitely doesn’t belong in an office into your “elsewhere” box – mugs, laundry, kids’ toys, whatever.
This will make space and give you a quick boost.
Zone by Zone: Don’t Try to Do It All At Once
Time to get a bit more intentional. Pick one area to tackle. Just one.
- Start with your desk surface – It’s the bit you see (and use) the most.
- Or choose a single drawer or shelf if the desk feels like Everest.
Now completely empty it. Yes, all of it. Then pick up each item and decide:
- Keep – You use it often or genuinely need it.
- Action – Something needs doing (like paying that bill).
- File/Shred/Scan – Especially for paperwork.
- Donate/Sell – It’s in good nick, but you don’t need it.
- Bin it – Be ruthless. “Just in case” is not a reason to keep it.
Give the area a proper clean before you put anything back.
Paperwork: The Sneaky Clutter Culprit
Paper builds up like mould – silently and fast.
Here’s how to tackle it:
- Make four piles: To Do, To File, To Shred, Reference.
- Open mail over the recycling bin.
- Digitise what you can. Scan it, save it to the cloud, and bin the paper.
- Get rid of old notebooks, expired warranties, and printed emails from 2012.
Build Easy Habits (So It Stays Organised)
Once things are under control (or at least getting there), you’ll want to keep it that way.
- Five-minute tidy at the end of the day – put things back in their place.
- “One-touch” rule for paper – deal with it once, don’t just shuffle it around.
- Give everything a home – if something doesn’t have one, fix that.
Storage? Wait Until You’ve Decluttered
Buying fancy organisers before you declutter is like buying a filing cabinet for junk mail. Wait until you know what’s staying – then figure out if you need trays, drawers, shelves or folders.
Even some old shoeboxes can do the job while you figure out what works.
Final Thought: You Don’t Need a Perfect Pinterest Office. Just One That Works.
Your extremely messy office didn’t happen in a day, and it won’t be sorted in a day either. But each bag of rubbish you bin, each drawer you sort, and each empty mug you finally return to the kitchen is a step closer.
Be kind to yourself. Keep going. And celebrate the little wins – even if it’s just clearing one shelf without swearing.
