How do you determine the difference between sentimental keepsake and items to gi

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   K. Burns Darlingposted 12 years ago

   How do you determine the difference between sentimental keepsake and items to give or throw away?
   
   From time to time we all have to sort through the items that have collected in our homes to remind us of where we've been in our lives. When all of those items are collected in front of you, how do you determine which ones are really sentimental keepsakes, and which ones should be given or thrown away?

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   Jerrico Usherposted 12 years ago

   I use an enlightened approach, and based on your question wrote this hub:  http://jerricousher.hubpages.com/hub/Sentiment

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3. 59

   mythicalstorm273posted 12 years ago

   I search my memory and my heart for the answer.  When they are sitting in front of me which ones do I reach for because they have the best memories associated with them? Which ones I barely remember why I still have it, but I feel like I had a reason to keep it? Then I turn my back on all of them after thinking it through and put them out of sight out of mind for a day or two.  Which items did I miss seeing or using? Which items are just locked in a closet anyways? How did those items impact my feelings? By the end of this process I usually know pretty strongly which items I will keep and which ones are trash.  Most importantly though you have to ask the questions specific to your feelings and memories otherwise it really is not a sentimental and personal keepsake!

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   Xyddigposted 12 years ago

   Ask yourself two questions. One: do I need this and will I ever use it again? Two: does mean a lot to me that I'll lose a part of my life if I let it go?

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good questions!! Especially the second one--I like the way you've phrased that. I'll employ your questions along with the other suggestions here as I continue Spring Cleaning. (i.e., always cleaning).

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   IntuitiveMindposted 12 years ago

   If you haven't used it, looked at it, needed it or remembered it in over a year...toss it! (This does not include keepsakes from your children or family members that DO have sentimental value). But for most things in my home, I make sure that I do use them. As of late, I have been in the habit of trying to recycle objects.  If I buy one, I get rid of one that I don't use. I either donate it or sell it for someone else to enjoy. Try organizing items into categories, and then see how you can utilize it.

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      IntuitiveMind, I wish I were more like you and could get rid of more things. You're clearly a "thrower"--very logical and sensible about it. I'm a "keeper", and somehow I just can't seem to find that same place in me, but I hope someday I do.

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   Laura Schneiderposted 11 years ago

   I have problems with this, too. This doesn't exactly answer your question, but you might find it helpful:
   
   I'm a "keeper" not a "thrower", and very sentimental by nature. However, I recently adopted a philosophy that's working really well: I take a digital photograph(s) of everything I give or throw away. So, knowing that I will still be able to "see" and correctly remember each item in detail means that I can allow myself to get rid of a LOT more stuff, even some sentimental stuff that wouldn't have made the cut had I not known I have a photo of it 'somewhere' on my hard drive.

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