Memorabilia – not so easy to spell and not so easy to let go…

Why do we hold onto so much memorabilia?  We hold onto our memorabilia because it’s a tangible item attached to a memory that we have. Or we think that it is useful or important enough to save for future generations. Or we hold onto our memorabilia because we choose not to make decisions about it. Or….

Out of sight, out of mind

In my own mind, there are 3 categories of memorabilia.

1. Sentimental – things that hold a fond memory, something that tugs are our heart strings

2. Historical – things related to past important events or family genealogy

3. “Just Because” – things we feel guilty about releasing or that we really don’t know why we are keeping
   

 Here are a list of questions for each category of memorabilia that may help you release some of those items. Now hear me out; I am not saying you should get rid of everything, just that perhaps we can all be more selective about what we keep.  These questions are intended to help you be realistic about the decisions you make with regard to your memorabilia.

Sentimental

•  Is this sentimental to me?

• What memory is this object holding for me?

• Is it a good memory?

• Do I have other things that remind me of the same memory?

• Is there another way to hold onto the memory while letting go of the object?

 Historical

•  Is this item historical?

• Is it a true family heirloom?

• Is it relevant to my family’s history?

• Should it be documented?

• Does it need archival storage?

• If I were not here, would other family members know the historical significance?

• Do they even want it?

• Can I give it to them now? If not, then when?

 “Just Because”

• In the big scheme of life, is this item really important?

• Is it valuable?

• Can it be sold?

• Can I donate it to a charity for a silent auction?

• Would keeping a smaller piece of this be acceptable?

• Does it even still work?

• Will I ever use it, repair it, scrapbook it?

As a mother who has seen 5 children through many school years, I discovered a little tip that helped in a lot of ways:

1. Fast identification
2. Reading skills not needed
3. Clean up  was easier
4. Less things lost or missing

The tip?  To color code your children and their school supplies.  Assign each child a different color (perferably the favorite color of the child).  Purchase EVERYTHING for school in that color.

• backpack
• pencils
• pencil boxes/pouches
• binders
• pencil sharpeners
• calculators

And for those things that do not come in color assortments, purchase colored tape and put the tape on the blue ink pens, crayon boxes, and other supplies.  Color coding is used for many other applications, so why not our children.  They don’t have to read to know that all green supplies belong to them and red supplies to their sibling. Using color coding makes it easy to see who forgot to clean up after homework time and avoid the “That’s mine!” battle cry.  If a green pencil is found under the table, you know which child to return it to.

A simple tip, but one to help your sanity….