How to declutter a chaotic home office with papers, cables, and keepsakes?

[Addison91]

I'm finally tackling my home office, which has become a chaotic repository for years of paperwork, old electronics, and sentimental items from my previous job. I feel overwhelmed just looking at it and don't know where to start. For those who have successfully decluttered a similar space, what are your most practical decluttering tips for making decisive choices, especially with items that have emotional or potential "what if" value? How do you establish a sorting system that doesn't just move piles around, and what do you do with the sheer volume of paper and cables? Is it better to tackle a room by category or by physical zone, and how do you maintain momentum once you've started?

[Aaron_M]

Maintenance: build a 10-minute daily tidy ritual and a longer weekly review (30–60 minutes). Put a standing calendar reminder. If you drag your feet, recruit a friend to do the first pass with you; accountability helps. And celebrate small wins—like finishing the entire desk area in a weekend.