3-Word Wisdom 15: Save "stuff" wisely

In an earlier post, I encouraged letter writing – and letter saving- as an invaluable and memorable source of family history. Now it’s time to address the down side of my earlier wisdom. Mailing letters and keeping letters are two separate animals.

Let’s just say I am a keeper. I am the family’s designated keeper of stuff. I have drawers, chests, boxes and closets full of stuff. I assure you, I am nowhere near needing the help given to TV’s “Hoarders”, but I am guilty of hanging on to the flotsam and jetsam of  life’s special moments. One of my resolutions for this
Big 6-0 year is to clear out some of the stuff - but it’s not as simple as filling recycle bins and calling the Goodwill truck for a pick-up.

The stuff I refer to goes beyond the letters – way, way beyond! Samples of my kids’ school papers, projects and progress reports since pre-school. College textbooks and binders of class notes that hubby and I can’t seem to be able to part with. Newspapers from any number of momentous, life changing days in history. Boxes of photos and memorabilia that my family has entrusted to me (actually now that I think about it, I suspect they were simply getting rid of their “stuff”!). To some, it’s history. To others, it’s just clutter and closet filler. To me it is all priceless. Yet when all is said and done, is it the stuff or the memories associated with the stuff that I am hanging on to? If I let go of the tangibles, will those moments be lost?

The time has come for some tough “stuff” love - deciding what goes and what stays. My dilemma will be choosing what I unceremoniously relegate to the recycle and trash bins, and what will be passed on to the new stewards of the family history. It will be no easy task, and I suspect the “keep” pile will tower above the "send it on" and “toss it” collections. If any of my scrapbooking relatives read this, consider this a pitiful cry for help!

Today’s 3-Word Wisdom: Save “stuff” wisely. Treasure what’s important – learn what to keep, what to share, and what to let go of.  Savor life’s events as precious memories - be selective with the keepsakes and learn to keep only the truly significant memorabilia - your family will thank you.  Craigslist, here I come!