The Paper Pile That Preaches

The stack of papers that caused the meltdown was still sitting on the table like it had something to say. blog notes, nots from Charlie for reminders for JPS paperwork, coupons from a lifetime ago because no, one seems to know how to put things in the trash, and a mystery sheet that looked like it belonged to someone who had their life together. That wasn’t me. Was it you?

I sat down and stared at all the paperwork. The paperwork stared back. And then it hit me: The papers weren’t the problem. The pressure was. The pressure to be the mom who never forgets anything. The woman who keeps every detail straight.

The person who doesn’t lose an hour to panic and frustration. So, I did something bold — maybe even rebellious for a mom on a Friday: I threw half of it away. Just… let it go. No guilt. No “what if I need this someday.” No “good moms keep everything.”

Some things don’t need to be filed. Some things need to be released. And with every piece that hit the trash, I felt lighter. Not organized. Not perfect. Just lighter. Next is the thousands of emails there important they will email me back and if not that’s life.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates