My primary project this past summer was to organize my office and music studio. Oh no, not a cursory, throw things into a file to deal with later. I've been in extreme decluttering mode.

Since I began teaching in 2001, I have dutifully kept all of my music teacher newsletters. Have I read them all? No, of course not.

Just a fraction of my piles to declutter! Photo by R-M Arca

Just imagine how much paper that is. Got the picture in your mind? My paper clutter is truly as scary as you imagined it to be.

I am approximately 80% through but I have been gleefully ripping out articles to read throughout the year. I have developed the following filing system:

Activity/Event ideas
Blog topic ideas
Group Class ideas
Lesson planning
Professional library ideas
Music games and puzzles
Piano Pedagogy
Professional development
Portfolio additions (my own published articles)
Recital/performance ideas

They will reside in my Active Files drawer until I am done with them. My hope is that throughout the year, I'll actually read these articles. Of course, that hinges upon me clearing the area leading up to my filing cabinet.