Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Courtney Carver of Be More with Less.
“I have memories – but only a fool stores his past in the future.” – David Gerrold
As you simplify, you will notice that the most important stuff is left. This applies to kitchenware, toy boxes, closets and even to your sentimental treasures. Often times, the most difficult stuff to get rid of, is the stuff soaked in memories. We become attached to things that remind us of our past, and our loved ones. Your great grandfather’s pocket watch, your first pair of roller skates, or your son’s artwork from kindergarten, all transport you to another time, and usually fill you with lovely memories. Unfortunately, because you don’t want to clutter your home with stuff, these treasures are buried in boxes in the garage or attic, only to be rediscovered during a move, or a trip down memory lane.
I must admit, I am a sap and a sentimental fool. I get teary driving past a wedding, hearing stories about my grandparents or cooking one of my favorite dishes from childhood. In my life, I have saved notes from the 4th grade, albums from my first rock star crush, my daughter’s first bathing suit, heart shaped rocks from hiking with my husband and jackets my dad gave me that never fit, but were so cool, because they were his.
How do you get rid of the stuff that means so much, and evokes so much emotion, in the name of minimalism and simplicity? There are several ways to simplify the sentimental. Each concept includes focusing on what is most important and honoring your history.
Share the love. Unless you are on a mission to live with less than a certain number of things, why not display some of your sentimental items? Less does not mean none. Paring down your objects of memory does not necessarily mean ridding yourself of them all. Instead, paring down your sentimental items allows you to focus on the most meaningful. Chances are, the things with all the memories are in a box in the garage or attic. Sort through those boxes and choose the things that mean most to you and your family and display them. Sometimes we hold onto things to hold onto people that have left our lives. Honor the ones you love by sharing what was theirs.
After all, a box full of memories stashed in the basement is far less meaningful than 3-4 specific items displayed proudly in your home. So go through that box of mother’s things in the basement, select the 3 that most represented her life and the influence that she had, display them proudly, and remove the rest.
Make it useful. Did you save the china that your parents received on their wedding day or a special necklace that was passed down to you? Why not use it? Donate your everyday plates and eat off the dishes that mean so much. Wear the memorable piece of jewelry every day instead of waiting for a special occasion, or forgetting about it completely. You may come across things that you can’t use and don’t want to keep, but someone else will find your sentimental items to be quite useful. Use them or pass them on.
Put it in the cloud. If you have been saving printed photographs, documents, receipts and other paperwork for years, it might be time to digitize your docs. Sort through it all and toss the trash. Scan the rest or hire someone to do it for you, and organize in folders. From there, back it up through Dropbox.
Shoot your stuff. When you are uncluttering, save the things that mean the most to you, and take a picture before letting them go. Preserve the memories inspired by stuff through photography. Group items creatively or take pictures using the things. For instance, if you saved a baseball hat from your childhood little league team, take a picture of your child wearing it. Create a digital photo book with images and descriptive text, so you can enjoy your memories without the clutter. A book like this makes a beautiful gift to someone else in the family who wants to enjoy the memories without the clutter.
Tell your story. The most powerful thing we can offer is our story. As you simplify your life, you will come to the realization that the most sentimental things aren’t things at all, but stories of the people and places we love, and how we spend our time. Write about the things you love, instead of holding onto them. Start a family blog or keep a personal journal. Your words may start out describing your mother’s watch, but turn into a beautiful story about an afternoon the two of you spent together.
Approach each area or section of your life the same when it comes to letting go, and revel in what unfolds. Not only do you make room for the good stuff, but you can clearly identify what is most meaningful to you. Instead of filling boxes with the things that define your life, spend more time creating your life, giving to others and sharing your story with actions, thoughts and gratitude.
What other ideas do you have for shedding sentimental stuff?
***
Courtney is a writer and fine art photographer. She writes about simplifying and living life on purpose at Be More with Less. You can also follow her on Twitter.
nareen says
my biggest challenge. thanks so much for this.
Lonna says
Thanks to my father who shared with me regarding this weblog, this
blog is genuinely awesome.
Maureen says
Good ideas. I recently downsized my parents pictures for my Dad. He’s 90 so mostly black and white. Sorted them and gave the ones to siblings, cousins that I knew they’d enjoy seeing and passing on to their loved ones. Many memories for us all.
PJ Steffen says
I did not even have to read the post! I understand too well. When me amazing husband died unexpectedly of a massive heart attach at the age of 53 my life changed dramatically. He was my prince that swept me off my feet after I left a difficult first marriage. I thought we would grow old together but we only had 14 years together. We had a beautiful historic home that we renovated together that I loved…but it just wasn’t the same without him. In my wildest dreams I never thought my heart would allow me to leave the house, but God spoke to me and told me…to move on it’s ok…sell the house and move on. I sold the house to a beautiful young couple that loved and appreciated the house. It was an amazing healing step for me! Material things, even though I could afford a few luxuries, have become unimportant. I’m happy and comfortable in a beautiful smaller house. My life revolves around my family, a new special man in my life and friends. God is Great, Life is Good! <3
free gold wow says
TYCOON PRECIOUS METAL GUIDEBOOK REVIEW
The actual Tycoon Gold Manual can be one of Manaview’s most recent creations.
It’s the latest in-game addon which claims for you to automate essentially the most effective precious
metal strategies in the sport resulting in an increase with silver cash flow around 500%.
It helps enhance ‘gold making’ in to a enjoyment, rapid,
along with hugely successful practical knowledge.
It is anything Incredible gamers are actually waiting for due to
the fact Vanilla and it has the electricity to totally modify just how all of us help to make gold.
So, will Tycoon surpass the hype? I’ve received a content, used the item to get a full week, and offers you my own straightforward examine here.
Should it function?
I’ll receive straight to what you look for
to find out. Will Tycoon definitely function?
Sure, that definitely works!
Many people claim you may make 230% more precious metal by utilizing Tycoon.
I discovered that to become careful amount. Exercise employed this addon for
several nights currently and also I’ve generally was able to open
up my own mailbox to in excess of 500%-700% far more gold in comparison with My spouse
and i generally receive making use of the same techniques without
any help.
The way Tycoon Performs
The thought is easy, however extremely potent.
Manaview took the top rare metal techniques from the sport as well as built an addon that will automates your challenging or maybe most frustrating regions of this method.
Since it’s automatic, this fundamentally means these people optimized the
actual approach thus you’re more cost-effective within doing the work, causing in relation to 5x much
more rare metal in comparison with you would generally acquire.
This 5 current techniques involved tend to be Gathering, Grinding/Farming, Designing, Market Home Enjoying, along with Dailies.
This can be 95% of platinum producing strategies as used by the particular Incredible community, and so almost nothing will
be overlooked.
The addon intelligently scientific tests your server’s economic system and tells you such things
as:
– Exactly just what approach is likely to make anyone probably the most cash
– What product is likely to make people one of the most cash according to the car finance
calculations
– The best way for getting of which merchandise
by providing anyone such things as, optimized getting routes or even scorching farming areas.
– It is aware in the event that a lot of individuals are utilizing which strategy and can frequently informs you for getting an item with no rivalry nevertheless
elevated in desire. This implies you’re alone having that one item due to the fact there’s simply no levels of competition,
producing having additional of them. As well as there exists popular that means you are
able to market it intended for very higher costs.
In depth Walkthrough
When you new venture Tycoon, first thing you want to do is usually check your Retail Residence
to help Tycoon find out the overall economy.
That is extremely fast along with done with any
just click of your key. This specific is just like Auctioneer
yet it’s a new more speedily scan of which usually
takes no greater than 35 a few moments to finish.
Once the search within is actually total Tycoon features enough information to complete the
wonder. The window can look using listings involving items ordered thoroughly simply by the amount Tycoon feels you can help
to make, hourly, if you choose which item.
I’m satisfied with how accurately Tycoon has the ability to offer you
strong suggestions about which goods is likely to make people by far the most funds.
Frequently, goods that there is a constant thought might allow you to essentially the
most silver by the hour look presents itself this checklist.
That’s where Tycoon really also comes in helpful.
That can have a look at through an tremendous level of data
that might please take a man many hours to understand. Men and women normally omit past the economic system learning aspect and just go directly for
that greatest degree items, however with Tycoon you’ll find
out individuals aren’t always those things which will make you by far the most rare metal hourly.
The idea knows ones overall economy greater than some
sort of human at any time can, that is aware in the event the current
market is usually filled with air and also is aware
whenever there’s an excessive amount of competitors. If predicaments aren’t
right to select 1 merchandise, Tycoon will give you a different one.
It’s a superb experiencing to know you’re constantly accomplishing your strategy that produces
you essentially the most platinum probable at this point over
time.
Tycoon can over merely inform you the best way to make the most platinum.
The item teaches you!
When Tycoon informs me for you to my own claim, Cobalt ore, almost all you have
to do will be click the “Show everyone routes” switch and it
also provides you with remarkably optimized
mining paths. This particular produces ish paths all-around ones which usually show you
how over the many brimming exploration node destinations.
This kind of function is extremely good in addition to granted us to double how much ore When i
normally get mining on my own.
I thought this was a wonderful element combined with the actual Get together Element and also My spouse and i can’t talk about
every one of the characteristics in this brief review. Although almost all 5 Method Quests get some kind of particular characteristic that can help you have the nearly all of in
which merchandise inside least amount of time!
The DRAWBACKS
I could truthfully solely come across 1 awful factor concerning Tycoon.
Sometimes Tycoon will place a specific thing over the rest probably the most Lucrative checklist
which usually isn’t inside very good requirement.
It will explain to you this “demand” on the merchandise is usually minimal though.
Therefore, providing you take note of that will in addition to don’t opt for any items that usually are
lower requirement, anyone are able to easily sell the
idea. In any other case, when you don’t mind hanging around, you’ll even
now offer that at some point.
Bottom line
Tycoon is a really groundbreaking solution that is going to change Rare metal
Producing once and for all. As soon as you’ve utilized Tycoon, wanting to play with no it
will be almost impossible.
This addon is actually gorgeous and has not many pests to get a new
product. While using information, instruments, and specific features
of this addon, it’s very difficult To not produce
much more rare metal utilizing it.
They’ve already gone beyond anything you will have to help
to make 500% additional platinum each hour, or maybe more.
Every part from the gold methods involved may be enhanced simply by useful info or perhaps attributes
to assist you to undertake it far better in addition to more
rapidly.
Everything you can sometimes will need to become genuine rare metal tycoon will be in
this article in this particular brilliant addon by Manaview.
So, if you’re looking to produce far more platinum – extra rare metal –
My spouse and i recommend looking into the Tycoon Rare
metal Information. It really is certainly the obvious way to capitalize on silver probable in the speediest period
of time.
Jackie Johnson says
Not so much physical things, but I recently made a photo book for my son from his marching band year. Then I just went to Shutterfly and created his book. This makes me think that I want to make some for my twins next year for their senior year in high school. How much more meaningful for them to catch some of their personal moments in band, wrestling, volleyball, etc And, no doubt, some selfies.
Mary says
I love your site, it has been so helpful to me! I recently become very active in helping people in Gulu, Uganda, a place where they are trying to recover and move on with life after a 20+ year long civil war. You have taught me to de-clutter my home with things I don’t really love or need. I decided to sell, by on-line auction, these items and use the proceeds to help the people there. Thank you so much, I am not just feeling better about my de-cluttered home, but that my clutter is actually helping someone who struggles so much!
Char says
Can you offer more direction on how I’d get started on digitizing photos, documents, etc.? I’ve never considered this, but I’d LOVE to clear up the space that all of these things take! WOW! What a concept! To do away with the boxes and boxes of photos and two entire file drawers full of “need to keep” documents! If you have links or more info, please post here or email: biblethumpinmama@comcast.net
Sally says
May be best to put the photos on CDs rather than just online – if you lose your log-in, you’ve had it! I have all my wedding pics that way. The camera was stolen on our way back from our honeymoon! Fortunately, one of the guests had taken pics with her digital camera and got them put on a CD for us, bless her.
carol says
Love your idea of digitalizing memories with pictures. Am in process of writing life stories. Thinking about a digital journal. Great idea!
eileen says
A good method is to have a ritual burn ( in a safe place of course)on small items that you long to not have but have symbolic meaning. My brother and I did this with the remains of our “Baby collection” of things my late mother had accumulated , such as baby hair in envelops , report cards , baby shoes that were no longer wearable . As these items burned we talked about our childhood and this gave the burning a kind of reverence that was meaning ful. As the items were small and alot were paper, we did it in the fireplace. It felt right and was a beautiful way to say goodby . We really need to learn to say goodby instead of hoarding.