Author | Kiki Wootten
Welcome to the first installment of our three-week mini-series all about storing those sentimental treasures without drowning in a sea of stuff.
This week, we're diving into the world of small paper items - the cherished photos, cards, letters, movie tickets, and all those tiny treasures that hold a special place in our hearts. If you've ever found yourself staring at a pile of these keepsakes and wondering how to keep them organized without turning your space into a cluttered nostalgia explosion, I've got 3 possible solutions for ya. Today, I'll give you the first one.
*Drum roll, please…*
Store them in a Book!
Yes, you heard me right. All you need to conquer this mountain of small paper items is a trusty book. Whether it's a scrapbook, a photo memory book, or a plain ol’ notebook, it's your ticket to minimalist memory preservation. You do NOT need to be an artist or a craft wizard for this! All you need is some tape and a willingness to embrace simplicity.
Now, let me be very clear, I'm pretty picky about the small paper items I choose to keep (as we should be!).
Let me share a personal anecdote to illustrate how easy and effective this can be. Back in 2015, my husband and I received a modest handful of cards on our wedding day. Each card contained heartfelt messages and well wishes from our loved ones. Instead of letting them collect dust in a drawer, I decided to preserve them in a Moleskine [my personal favorite!] notebook. This Moleskine is now full of cherished memories from our first year of marriage.
The No-Frills Process:
Step #1 - Gather Your Paper Treasures: Start by gathering all your small paper items. You know, the cards from birthdays, letters from pen pals, old movie tickets from your first date, and that stack of Polaroids that captures your college adventures. Now, choose your favorites.
Step #2 - Tape It Up: Choose a page in your book, and using simple clear tape, attach your items to the pages. You don't need to be Picasso – just make sure they're secure and legible.
*Photo Tip: If you're dealing with photos, try to gather similar ones or ones from the same event. Don't be afraid to be picky. Select the absolute best, most meaningful ones and tape those into your book. As for the rest, it's time to let them go. Quality over quantity, my friend!
Step #3 - Label and Reflect: If you want to take it a step further, add some labels or short captions to jog your memory. It's like creating your own, super-personalized time capsule.
Step #4 - Rinse and Repeat: Continue the process with your sentimental paper items. Don’t let it sit on your desk, because we all know it doesn’t take long for it to get covered up, forgotten, and become clutter. Toss it or store it with respect.
Why This Works for Minimalists:
It keeps your memories organized and easily accessible.
It's a visually pleasing and space-efficient solution.
It encourages you to curate and select the most meaningful items.
You won't end up with a cluttered attic or basement of boxes full of stuff you never look at.
So, there you have it – just one simple yet effective way to keep those small paper items close to your heart without cluttering up your space. Next week, we'll tackle a second strategy to store those sentimental items. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, check out Morgan’s ebook here! Learn more about sentimental clutter and how to navigate tough decisions when it comes to letting go of the “special” items that just aren’t serving you anymore. I get it, it’s hard. Morgan is here to help! This book is a great place to start.
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