5 Reasons to Organize Your Important Documents Now

It has always been important to organize your important documents and even more so now because of the global pandemic. These documents must be organized so that they are easy to access when you need them. Many of them  contain sensitive and privileged information. You do not want to leave them hanging out in the open. Keep them secure and away from prying eyes.

1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Clearly, we are more relaxed when we are not worried, full of stress or anxious. This applies to almost any topic. When there is a crisis the important documents, I am talking about become vital.

I started thinking about this because of the Covid-19 pandemic. What would happen if I got sick and was too sick to talk to the doctors? How would my bills get paid if I had to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time?

Do you ever ask yourself questions like these? If you do, do they make you worry? Answer them to reduce your stress and anxiety.

When someone gets sick, too sick advocate for themselves, a healthcare power of attorney gives someone else the authority to make decisions for that person. The other necessary medical documents may include a Living Will or an Advance Directive. These important documents tell other people your wishes. Without them, they are flying blind.

If you are sick and your loved one is trying to help you navigate your illness, their hands are tied unless they have access to these important documents.

Peace of Mind

You can reduce your stress and anxiety by making sure to organize these important documents and let your partner, spouse, or trusted friend know how to find them. If you do not have a Living Will, get one. That will bring you peace of mind and will also reassure your loved ones that they can be your advocate if necessary.

Quite honestly most of us do not spend time thinking about these important documents until we realize that we need them. Then, it becomes a big worry. Wondering where they are and how to find them. Thinking about how to organize the important documents adds anxiety and stress.

2. Know Which Documents are Important 

Other than a Living Will, do you know which documents are important to organize?

There may be some documents that you will want to get. Here is a good checklist. Some of the list may not apply to you. Then again, there may be documents omitted from this list that you will want to include like a complete home inventory.

It is also important to make a photocopy of the cards you carry in your wallet just in case your wallet is misplaced or stolen.

If you do this, copy the cards front and back, then you will have the information from your driver’s license and know which credit card companies to call. You will also have the information from your insurance cards or any other cards you carry regularly.

With the photocopy of the contents of your wallet you give yourself peace of mind that no matter what, you are protected.

3. Help Someone Help You

Create a digest of your accounts and their passwords. Keep this list with your important documents. This will give your trusted person the ability to help you stay current with your accounts.

4. In Case of Disaster or Theft

The best reason to organize your important documents is that they will be together and organized when disaster strikes.

You NEVER know when disaster will strike.

There could be a fire, a flood, a hurricane, an earthquake, or a tornado. Chances are there will be little time to get all the documents together so that you and your family can safely leave your home.

What if someone came into your home and ransacked it? With your important documents organized you will be able to prove what is missing from your home.

5. We Have Time Now

Before our communities open completely, take time to organize your important documents.

Many of us have been organizing closets, cupboards, and other spaces in our home. I am sure you have seen before and after organizing pictures from a variety of friends on FaceBook. Taking time to organize spaces restores order and can help to restore the feeling of calm in our minds.

Restore Calm

I heard from one friend that her head was so full of things she was worrying about that she went into an organizing frenzy. In an afternoon she had cleared her back hallway of all clutter. Opening the physical space and using some of that pent-up anxious energy gave my friend space in her mind. Her children commented that there was too much empty space. They wanted their mom to put something back. She told them to let it be. They will grow accustomed to the empty space. It will be OK. Here is an interesting post about becoming comfortable with empty spaces.

Removing clutter makes a space visually calm. This peaceful view helps your mind to relax which in turn allows new ideas to flow freely. Just imagine the possibilities.

Take the next step in reducing stress and anxiety by making sure your important documents are organized.

If you are among those who have organized many of the physical spaces in your home, take time to prepare just in case of disaster and organize your important documents. Should disaster strike or if you become incapacitated, you will be forever thankful you made the effort. It does not matter if you never need them because you will be prepared and the documents will be organized.

Click here for some tips on how to organize your important documents.

Please get in touch with me if you would like some help organizing these documents. I would be happy to help. We can meet in person or virtually.

Diane N. Quintana is a Certified Professional Organizer®, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®, Master Trainer and owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. Diane teaches busy people how to become organized and provides them with strategies and solutions for maintaining order in their lives.