Hi Lee. Do you know in all our Marie Kondo-ing, I had completely forgotten the cupboard with the albums. Likewise the video/CD cupboard. So I'll start the photos... one day.
But you ask about disposal. We took 84 kg of private papers (inc personal letters) to Oakdale Industries at Derwent Park for shredding at a price. It's very discretely handled and we felt quite confident that it was private with a capital 'P'. They also do photos, books etc, if that's any help.
My kids are quite interested in the family heritage on both sides, so I would try to leave a photographic trail behind - in duplicate so that each child has their own. But I do like the idea you had of images of people who matter, not holidays and scenery etc. When I look through my i-photos, there are too many garden shots and pics of beaches, Maria Island and people they don't even know. Mind you, they are digital already and give me joy. Marie would say keep them, wouldn't she? Besides, as I become more senile, they may be memory joggers...
Thanks for those tips Prue. You raised something I had thought of as well. A lot of my albums are full of pre digital photos. Photos are memory joggers and I don't want to lose them too soon because it's nice to have the prompts for as long as we can. The timing of decluttering is a big gamble really. Who knows we might be around for another decade or so and miss all the 'stuff' we get rid off. But on the other hand if we don't do it while we have the energy we might never do it and leave a big job for others ... 🤪 Too old for these conundrums!
You are so right Jennie - the time component of stopping, looking at photos and going off on tangents 'trying to make sense of it all' is the most difficult part. I'm thinking of buying a printer/scanner now (well pricing them) to see if that might speed things up.
What an endeavour! Setting off down memory lane. We’re still packing and I’m looking at the huge boxes of photos and framed photos that never made it out in the last 8 years! They will have to come with us to our next home. I haven’t the courage to throw them in the skip.
The kids might have to do it.
I like your last idea though, keeping the bare minimum but doing it is the hard thing. Just letting go of old fabric is testing me.
You've got too much going on moving house Anna to take on the emotional load of decluttering photographs at the same time. Maybe a project for another winter time in your lovely new cottage by the sea ...
Thanks for the great tips here Lee. It does indeed take courage. I would imagine you have to be so disciplined to not go off into memory lane. Go you, and again lovely writing
I admire you attempting it. I may put it on a list for when I’ve got rid of ‘bulkier stuff’. It’s a pity we have to buy more ‘stuff’ to help us get rid of the ‘old stuff’. 😏
I share your pain! It’s an overwhelming task & I began recently, found it filling me with angst & dread & put them all back in the cupboard. My scientist brother, however, has gone for the task with gusto. He’s classifying & sorting into categories he’s devised without much angst at all! For me it’s all about those memories & trying to make sense of it all, whereas for him it’s about logic! Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Love that photo of your mum - says so much about the value of old photos x
Hi Lee. Do you know in all our Marie Kondo-ing, I had completely forgotten the cupboard with the albums. Likewise the video/CD cupboard. So I'll start the photos... one day.
But you ask about disposal. We took 84 kg of private papers (inc personal letters) to Oakdale Industries at Derwent Park for shredding at a price. It's very discretely handled and we felt quite confident that it was private with a capital 'P'. They also do photos, books etc, if that's any help.
My kids are quite interested in the family heritage on both sides, so I would try to leave a photographic trail behind - in duplicate so that each child has their own. But I do like the idea you had of images of people who matter, not holidays and scenery etc. When I look through my i-photos, there are too many garden shots and pics of beaches, Maria Island and people they don't even know. Mind you, they are digital already and give me joy. Marie would say keep them, wouldn't she? Besides, as I become more senile, they may be memory joggers...
Best wishes.
Thanks for those tips Prue. You raised something I had thought of as well. A lot of my albums are full of pre digital photos. Photos are memory joggers and I don't want to lose them too soon because it's nice to have the prompts for as long as we can. The timing of decluttering is a big gamble really. Who knows we might be around for another decade or so and miss all the 'stuff' we get rid off. But on the other hand if we don't do it while we have the energy we might never do it and leave a big job for others ... 🤪 Too old for these conundrums!
My mum would have said, 'Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today...'
Good advice x
You are so right Jennie - the time component of stopping, looking at photos and going off on tangents 'trying to make sense of it all' is the most difficult part. I'm thinking of buying a printer/scanner now (well pricing them) to see if that might speed things up.
What an endeavour! Setting off down memory lane. We’re still packing and I’m looking at the huge boxes of photos and framed photos that never made it out in the last 8 years! They will have to come with us to our next home. I haven’t the courage to throw them in the skip.
The kids might have to do it.
I like your last idea though, keeping the bare minimum but doing it is the hard thing. Just letting go of old fabric is testing me.
You've got too much going on moving house Anna to take on the emotional load of decluttering photographs at the same time. Maybe a project for another winter time in your lovely new cottage by the sea ...
Thanks for the great tips here Lee. It does indeed take courage. I would imagine you have to be so disciplined to not go off into memory lane. Go you, and again lovely writing
I admire you attempting it. I may put it on a list for when I’ve got rid of ‘bulkier stuff’. It’s a pity we have to buy more ‘stuff’ to help us get rid of the ‘old stuff’. 😏
I share your pain! It’s an overwhelming task & I began recently, found it filling me with angst & dread & put them all back in the cupboard. My scientist brother, however, has gone for the task with gusto. He’s classifying & sorting into categories he’s devised without much angst at all! For me it’s all about those memories & trying to make sense of it all, whereas for him it’s about logic! Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Love that photo of your mum - says so much about the value of old photos x