I first heard the term “slobification” on the Before Breakfast podcast with Laura Vanderkam, where she interviewed Dana K. White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life and host of the A Slob Comes Clean podcast.

Dana talked about how clutter builds up over time—slowly, quietly—until one day, you realize you have no idea where anything is. That hit home.

I’ve been making an effort to be more mindful about clutter, not just to have a cleaner space, but to stay organized where it matters most. Because when it comes to legal documents, estate planning, and emergency preparedness, being able to find what you need when you need it is essential.

What I Learned from My Nana’s House

Growing up, my Nana’s house was full of love, laughter, and a lot of stuff. The dining room table? Always covered in mail, magazines, and whatever else landed there.

Whenever company was coming over, we had a system—grab everything and toss it into plastic grocery bags. Those bags would go to the back bedroom, onto the bed, stacked with the others. We always said we’d go through them later.

We never did.

Eventually, you could barely walk in the back room because the bags had piled up so high. We weren’t actually getting rid of anything—we were just moving the mess somewhere else.

Now, I realize I was doing the same thing in my own life. Not just with clutter, but with important papers.

Why This Matters: When Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Ready?

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the devastating wildfires in California that destroyed over 15,000 homes and businesses.

People lost everything—and many didn’t have digital backups of their most important documents.

Now imagine this:

• You need your homeowner’s insurance policy, but you can’t remember where you put it.

• A medical emergency happens, and no one knows where your healthcare directive is.

• You’re responsible for handling a family member’s estate, but you’re searching through piles of paper to find the will.

This is why decluttering isn’t just about stuff—it’s about peace of mind.

Ones We Have or Are Working On

If we had to grab important documents in five minutes, would we know exactly where to look?

Here are the ones we already have or are working on that should be stored in a safe, accessible place—both physically and digitally:

• Estate Planning Documents – Will, trust documents, beneficiary forms

• Power of Attorney – Both financial and medical power of attorney

• Advance Healthcare Directives – Living will, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, HIPAA release

• Insurance Policies – Health, life, home, auto

• Property Documents – Real estate deeds, mortgage papers, title documents

• Financial & Tax Records – Bank account information, tax returns, investment records

• Passports & Identification – Birth certificates, Social Security cards

• Emergency Contact Information – Doctors, financial advisors, attorney, executor of will

If these documents are scattered, incomplete, or still on the to-do list, that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.

Tiny Steps to Stay Organized Without Overwhelm

I’ve learned from Dana K. White’s decluttering approach that small, consistent steps are better than trying to tackle everything at once. I’m applying this to my own organization process:

• Fly Lady’s 5-Minute Hot Spot Rule – Set a timer, pick one messy area, and clean for five minutes. That’s it.

• The One-Touch Rule – If I pick something up, I deal with it now instead of setting it down somewhere else.

• Creating a Designated “Important Documents” Spot – A simple system to keep legal & financial papers in one place.

• Scanning & Digitizing – Saving digital copies of essential documents so they’re accessible even if the physical copies are lost.

The Peace of Knowing You’re Ready

Decluttering isn’t just about making a space look better. It’s about being prepared, knowing where things are, and having peace of mind.

As a notary public, I see firsthand how being organized saves people time, money, and stress. Whether it’s power of attorney, wills, real estate documents, or business contracts, having everything in order makes life so much easier.

Disclaimer: I am a notary public, not an attorney, and cannot provide legal advice. The information shared here is based on personal experience and general knowledge.

That said, I encourage everyone to take small steps toward organization.

So, I ask myself—and you:

If you needed an important document today, would you know exactly where to find it?

If the answer is no, start small.

Because a little effort now creates a lot of peace later.