A question about sentimental items for the older os people

dandy-candy

I'm in the process of clearing out an attic full of "stuff" and I would like advice from the older (60+) os people please.

I have 3 boxes:

One is old photos, a few tatty toys and a pebble and coin collection that belonged to my grandparents.

One is my mothers old toys and a few books from when she was a little girl.

One is my old toys, books and nic naks.

I have not looked in these boxes for about 18 years, I opened them yesterday and looked through them, smiled and thought "ahh" and then closed them again. If I stick them in the attic I expect I won't look at them again for 20 years if ever, and I expect when I'm gone they will go straight in a skip.

I'm thinking I should just chuck them, but I did read recently that when people get older it can be very comforting to have childhood mementos to look at. I'm wondering how many of the "older" ladies here have kept things like these and if they are glad they did? Or did you throw/lose them and wish you hadn't?

I would be very grateful to hear your opinions on whether keeping mementos is worthwhile?

missbiggles1

If you have the space and they're not in the way, I don't see any reason to get rid of them.

dragonlily

I am not 60+ so perhaps not your target audience (so please do disregard if you wish!) but personally I think you should keep them.

None of us can predict what might happen in the future, and as you age these could be items that could revoke and engage memories that could improve your quality of life.

http://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/supporting-those-dementia-reminiscence-therapy-and-life-story-work

If you do really want to part with them, they are 'living history' and I would suggest they could be shared along with their story with the younger generation.

Lynplatinum

Hiya

My method of preserving memories is that of scrapbooking where photos are put into a book and journaling is done beside them which is a piece written about the photos - when and where and who is in the photo. Apart from one or two toys and a couple of my Mum's old vases that is it. I still have the ahhs and remembering that dress or that occasions or that person without the clutter.

I also photographed every bunch of flowers I ever had so that I can remember them too. I do feel that, although I have quite a few very large scrapbooks - keeping them this way is better than just electronically because what happens when the platforms change and you can no longer open old photos?
Hope this helps in your decision - perhaps phtotgraph your toys etc before seeing if a local museum have them.
Niyr

mardatha

I'm over 60 but a minimalist- I throw everything out that isn't being used daily or stapled down lol

Goldiegirl

Well, I'm not 60+ but I have gone through a major de cluttering process in the last few years, including things that belonged to my parents.

i've kept all the photos - i feel they are important.

But the rest of the stuff, I selected the items that were most important to me, and the rest I sold on eBay. It pleases me to think that someone else is now enjoying these things, rather than having them stuck in a box in my loft, never seeing the light of day.

I've not missed or thought about any of the items that I sold.

To be honest, I haven't even looked at the things that I kept, so maybe the message is that I could sell those things too

elsien

If you're keeping things for memories then a photo doesn't always being back the memories you want. Depending on the item, the smell or texture can be far more meaningful and evocative than how it looks.

Ches

I would cull the photos and only keep those of family you can identify. Please write on the back of the photos who they are, the /year/event if known. I scrapbook too and thank to my mum for doing this. I would probably also keep the coins if they are pre decimal as my GC are curious about old money. Of the rest I would only keep anything I am particularly fond of and let the rest go.

Newly_retired

I admit to keeping quite a lot of my stuff and my parents' stuff too. I have developed an interest in family history, so the photos and documents are important. I would throw away any photos you cannot identify, unless there is a chance that an older relative may be able to help.
As for other items, it is up to you. I have passed some books and toys to my grandchildren, also some coins etc.
If it is purely junk, maybe it is time to get rid?

NewShadow

My mother is coming up to retirement age (after several delays) and periodically through her life she has made the decision to cull sentimental items.

She's now at the point she desperately wants to make a memory quilt for me, and would really love to have some things from her childhood and early marriage to show me and tell me about - she has nothing.

If you have the space to keep them - what harm do they do?

milasavesmoney

I'm over sixty. I would love to have toys and photos from my parents and grandparents. I have very few photos of my parents when they were in their twenties and none before that time period. I'd love to know what they all looked like and be able to show my children and grand children.
My parents were in their teens and twenties during the Great Depression. No one had anything and certainly nothing to keep. I say hang on to your memories for the time being. They still bring a smile to your heart.