It’s pretty typical for me to come across boxes and boxes filled with artwork, drawings, clay figures, paper weights and other items created by my clients’ children or grandchildren. Yet in spite of its place among other boxes of clutter, it’s difficult to get clients to throw these items away. But that’s precisely what they should be doing to create space—both in their homes and for their psyche.

Keeping your children’s artwork is an attempt to capture a moment in time that has long since passed. Many keep the artwork to pass on to give back to their adult children later on. In many ways, it’s not unlike that “antique” you keep so you can give to your children when they have a house of their own. You presume they would want it because you kept for them. I wish I had a dollar for every item I’ve helped a client get rid of because the adult children did not want it.

This may sound harsh. It may come across as cold. Yet it’s an important concept to understand in keeping your life moving forward and not clinging to the past. For it’s the memory you cherish, not the item. You can always keep that in your heart, not necessarily in your garage or attic—or in your adult child’s home. After all, your children have memories of their own.

The good news is you don’t really need the item to keep the memory. With advances in technology, you can scan or photograph those special items and store them on a disc or in the cloud. Organize those memories by year or type—e.g. 1982, Meghan’s artwork. Then, on a rainy day, when you’re feeling a bit nostalgic, sit down with a glass of wine or cup of tea or coffee and take a glance at those images.

I think you’ll find the memory remains even if you don’t have the actual item. And you will be free of the clutter of trying to keep all those old items.

If you need help in this area or any other kind of decluttering project, please give me a call at 508-246-6120 or drop a line.