Organizing Photos & Memorabilia

Organizing Photos & Memorabilia

If you are like me, you probably have boxes and bins of random photos & memorabilia…

You assure yourself that one day when you have the time, you will organize this mess into a treasure trove of cherished memories you can share with your loved ones. Over the holidays, I began the adventure of organizing my mementos. Deciding what to keep is more time consuming and emotional than I was prepared for. Marie Kondo, author of The-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, recommends tackling mementos last. “These are the hardest things to discard. Just as the word implies, mementos are reminders of a time when these items gave us joy,” she writes.
At this point in my project I have sorted through one very full drawer of miscellaneous keepsakes. Here is what I’ve learned so far:
  • Combine all your bins and boxes, etc. into one area. I consolidated mine into a large chest of drawers. The project seems more manageable because it is contained.
  • If you no longer feel any emotional attachment to the item, let it go.
  • Be ruthless. Quality over quantity is the rule here. Keep only what truly has special meaning to you in your life now.
  • When sorting, make separate piles for family members or friends that you would like to pass the items on to.
  • Work in short bursts. Maybe an hour at a time. The sorting can be a bit exhausting.
  • Determine how much space you will devote to your photos & memorabilia and stick to it.
  • Have fun with items you keep. Consider making quilts, shadow boxes or scan your photos into digital form and make a slideshow or scrapbook.
  • Items that still have meaning to you in the present day need to be preserved appropriately.
  • Starting now, be more selective with the photos & memorabilia you keep.
When to organize? Look for chunks of time when you will be waiting or in a situation where you need to entertain yourself. One of my favorite things to do on a long road trip is to grab a couple of boxes of old photos and go through them as we drive. It is a great source of entertainment for the whole family. I also bring along files or Ziploc bags and designate which family member wants each picture.
2022-04-05T14:51:15-04:00