5 Steps to Organized Keepsakes
Keepsakes are items we keep for the sake of something – for the sake of remembering, for the future generations, or for personal memories. Keepsakes bring back memories (good or bad). They are more than just a possession – they are a piece of the past. No one else understands the true meaning and depth behind that one item, but you.
Why do we hold onto keepsakes so tightly? To remember who that person is? To remember that special moment in our life? In reality, the reason we are hanging onto it, is for strictly for ourselves.
As my husband says, “You can’t tow a U-Haul behind a hearse.” It is easy to keep every little thing that reminds us of that time in our life or of that person. In reality though, we have to keep in mind that the stuff is NOT the person. When it comes to keeping something from another person, it only adds clutter to our own homes. What they value may be different from what you value.
How many keepsake boxes do you have? One for each family member? One in each room? Too many to even count?
It is time to declutter and organize all of those keepsakes that fill our lives, so that you can treasure what you own. The treasures that bring back only good memories and treasures that you look forward to passing down to the next generation.
Here are my 5 steps to organized keepsakes:
#1 – Find
Locate all of your keepsake boxes and all of the items you consider keepsakes.
#2 – Set Out
Lay everything out in an open area, so that you have enough room to work.
#3 – Ask
- Why do I have this item in the box?
- Do I consider it a keepsake?
- Where did I get it from?
- Does it have any relevance to today? Will it ever have relevance again?
- Would another family member appreciate this item more than I would?
- Do I have enough room in our house to store this item?
- Is it worth the space it takes up?
- Would I feel guilty if I got rid of this item? (Don’t allow guilt to be the reason you keep anything!)
- Does this item bring back good or bad memories?
#4 – Organize and Store
The keepsakes you no longer need, decide if you should ask another family if they would like it instead? Recycle or donate what you can. Whatever is left, make sure that they are items you truly appreciate and genuinely can keep, guilt free.
When it comes to organizing keepsakes, really there is not one “right” way. How to organize them is completely up to you.
Same goes for storing them. It is up to you. Do not make it too complicated – keepsakes are supposed to be something to enjoy, not a burden.
Maybe the system you currently have works and maybe it does not. I personally store all of our keepsakes by labeling one box per person. That way, if something would happen to any one of us, we know exactly where that person’s keepsakes are. The key is to ensure that items are put in the right box and even more so, put in a box in the first place!
If an item does not fit in the box, I decide whether it is really worth keeping or if something else has to go. Make the space worth it!
#5 – Know
Now you know exactly where your keepsakes are and what you have. Knowing what you have now allows you to treasure what you truly own. Allow those good memories of the past to replay in your mind and maybe even be an opportunity to tell a story.
Organizing keepsakes can be quite the task since it is hard to know where to draw the line. Remember that keepsakes are often special to just you. If they were to be passed down to the next generation, would they know what the item is and why it is special? Don’t allow keepsakes to just sit in a box untouched. Bring them out. Tell the story behind them. The next generation will appreciate it.
Don’t you just love Kristin’s realistic and practical approach around how you can keep your treasures and memories more organized? I especially liked her list of questions to ask and consider. Great stuff!
Happy Organizing!
