Hi ... Help with Memorabilia etc., Please?

[chomiji]

I see some good ideas here ... anyone have some suggestions for dealing with emotionally charged items such as keepsakes?

I have a horrible time deciding what to do with such items. It seems horrible to just throw them away.

Comments

[beachlass]

That's something I really struggle with, s well. I have a shelf of sweaters that my grandmother knit that I never wear, probably will never wear, and don't quite know what to do with.. or things that I can't bear to throw out, but only look at when I'm decluttering or moving.

One suggestion I've heard is to take a picture, and keep the picture instead of the item.

And sometimes I've thrown out what I can, and left the rest still in the box, revisited it in a year, and been more able to get rid of more things.

Last year threw out this pillow I'd had as a little girl. I'll repost a reflection on what that was like for me, in case that's helpful.

[stewardess]

I second putting stuff in a box for a while. When a year (or five) has passed and you realize your life was just fine without the items, it's easier to part with the things.

In my area, I can put a box outside with a FREE sign on it. The items will all be gone within a few hours (I live near a university, and there is a lot of pedestrian traffic). This is a great way to unload items too peculiar or old for Goodwill, but which do not fall into the category of garbage.