There are five terrible, horrible, no good, very bad things that might happen if you throw away photos…
How many boxes of photographs do you have stashed around the house? I know, I know, you have visions of your family sitting around with a big bowl of popcorn, laughing together as you create adorable keepsake scrapbooks. You and your husband tell captivating tales of each picture, relating to your children the hardships and triumph of your pioneering family…
Oh, wait… Whose family are we talking about here???
Many of the photographs that we have are duplicates (we were going to send the extra pictures to the grandparents, but never got around to it), unidentifiable (even by Aunt Grace, the family historian), unclear (prior to digital technology, any movement caused blurring) or damaged (you can’t keep printed pictures in a sweltering attic or damp basement without consequences).
But we still feel like we MUST keep each and every one. Why?
Well, here are five of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad things that will happen if you throw away photos:
1. You’ll feel guilty. This is why we hang on to most clutter. And since you already feel guilty about so many other things, tossing bad photos just may not be that big a deal.
2. Your [aunt, ex sister-in-law, second cousin twice-removed] will never speak to you again. For some reason we put a lot of stock into not upsetting some distant relative who’s always upset with us all the time anyway. If you think that their peace of mind is connected with hanging on to photographs, ship the box to them!
3. Child Protective Services will be called in. Throwing away baby pictures is NOT child abuse! After all, must you really hang on to the 75 “charm size” copies of the same pose that came with your son’s third grade school picture package in order to prove you’re a good mom? Will keeping every out-of-focus, two-headed baby picture (because she moved just as you snapped the shutter) improve your relationship with your daughter over time?
4. You’ll forget important people and events. Actually, you won’t. Pictures are only one way you’ve captured special memories. Songs and sounds, smells and textures, expressions on the faces around you all have the power to bring back memories of precious people and special moments in our lives.
5. You won’t have anything to worry about anymore. You’ve been berating yourself for years on a routine basis about how “someday” you need to organize all these pictures. Chances are that taking care of the photos is just one small worry in your rotation of things that cause you anxiety. If you finally take action, (by sending photos to family, tossing the ones that don’t make sense to keep or finally filling those albums you bought however many years ago) you’ll quickly find some other worry to take its place.
Please understand, I’m not advocating that you toss every single photograph in your house. But rather than live in vague fear of what might happen if you throw away photos, identify what that awful consequence is and see if you can live with it. Decluttering that anxiety is one of the best things you can do for yourself!
What terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thing are YOU afraid will happen if you throw away photographs? Share with us in the comments!
My husband took care of a 91 yr. old veteran a few years ago. My husband became his POA as the man did not have any children. He has a couple of nieces and nephew but didn’t communicate with them much, other than one niece. His wife had passed about eight months earlier than he did. Upon his passing, my husband was put in charge of all his effects and to distribute items to the nieces and nephews. They all looked through a lot of photographs and took what they wanted but left a large wedding picture and an album full of photographs. We don’t know any of these people other than this man and his wife and have only known them the last few years of their life. What do we do with all these photographs? We both feel bad throwing them out, especially the large wedding portrait, yet the only family left did not want them and they don’t mean anything to us other than we can see the joy in the faces of family and friends that they must have had a good life.
.
First of all, gratitude to your husband and you for your kindness to others! And we thank this veteran for his service.
I’ve been thinking about your options for these photos. There are a couple of places you might try.
If the groom is in uniform, check your local VFW or other veteran’s organization to see if they have some sort of remembrance room or display area where they can place it.
Check with a local museum or art gallery. They may want the portrait. Also, if the photographer’s name/company is on the portrait — and they’re still in business — it’s possible that they would love to have this as a testimonial to their work.
See if your local community theater could use these as props. Not the ideal scenario, but an option.
Lastly, you could potentially post on eBay (not necessarily to make any money; although you donate any proceeds to a charitable organization). A friend of mine found a photo of his great great grandparents on eBay! Perhaps there are long-lost relatives that would want the photos.
Ultimately, you may need to destroy the photos in the album. Fewer places, including libraries and museums, are taking these kinds of things. You’ve already honored this man with your care and for carrying out his wishes to the best of your ability.
You did good…
Best regards,
Brenda
I have been trying to find a place online besides Facebook where I could scan and upload all of my old family photos so that any of my distant cousins and extended family could go to and copy what they want. I have not yet found that place yet. I am 61, been divorced for many years, have no significant other and my children are not the least bit interested. I live in a camp trailer and really do not have the room to keep all of these old things. I have hung onto them all of my life just because, and I am in the same quandary as many folks in that I feel terrible just throwing them away. Any suggestions would be helpful.. Thank you.
Hi, Shawn:
There are several options, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box. There are many others as well. Try a search for “best private photo sharing sites.”
With most of these, you can password protect and invite only those you approve.
Thanks for stopping by!
I am the last member of my immediate family, was adopted at birth, have no siblings and I have no children. But I have all my mother’s things, family photos, and all my family ‘stuff’. There is no one to leave things too, including the photos. I feel guilty sending things to the trash or charitable donation bins. So I just ignore it all…it is so stressful.
Thanks for your comment, Lynn.
I’m sorry that you don’t have direct family members to share things with.
You mentioned that you were adopted. Perhaps you could “adopt” friends, neighbors or colleagues. And as you look at the things that you wish to release, is there anyone in your circle of connections through your worship center, at work, in your neighborhood that you consider might find joy or appreciate having any of these things.
Just a thought.
I do wish you peace of mind.
Brenda
My mother is a narcissist and she threw away all my photographs that are of people she doesn’t like. Many of these are childhood pictures of me and my grandparents. I am devastated because there’s no way I can retrieve them since the negatives are long gone. It sucks as I have to see those empty spaces in my albums whenever I flip through them now. There’s no joy left in keeping those albums and I feel so tempted to just throw them all away.
Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry you had to deal with this. I hope that you’re getting some help from a qualified therapist to work through the difficulties you’ve had.
I’m not sure what format your albums are in, but you have a couple of options. You could add kind messages to yourself and your family to the blank spaces in the photo albums or you could adjust the pictures so there are no blank spaces.
Getting rid of the albums seems as though you’d be treating yourself as cruelly as your mother did. Try focusing on the pictures and not the blank spaces. Fill those spaces with joy your mother is unable to know and can’t steal away from you.
Hope this helps!
Brenda
I have a narcissistic mother as well. Anything she can do to hurt me she will. It is a sad situation that took me years to overcome, I still have times that it affects me. Dont let this define your cherished memories, although the pictures are gone, thank your grandparents in your prayers they will hear you!!
Thanks for sharing, Steph!
Another option is to move the remaining photos into a new album and recreate something new for yourself.
Great idea!
I thank you for the “nuggets of gold” I’ve received from your post, others’ comments, and your replies/comments!
I have 2 questions that I’d love to hear your thoughts on . . .
1. I really only have 2 small boxes worth of photos, but for some reason that I’m not really clear about, I’m feeling a strong urge to let go of 98% of them. The thing is, when I look through them, I’m having such a hard time letting go of any of them, because I am enjoying all of them, and it just feels like maybe I’m forcing myself to get rid of them “just because”. (I know, it sounds conflicting. I don’t understand what is beneath the conflict.) I would just love to simplify I suppose, and have one nice photo album and that’s it. But there are probably over 1,000 pictures (I’m guessing). Any thoughts? Oh, and I don’t want to digitize them.
2. What are your thoughts on yearbooks? I’m having the same issue as I explained about the photos.
Thank you 🙂 And happy new year!
Gina
Thanks, Gina:
Ultimately, only you can decide if and when it’s time to let go of photos. But here are some thoughts:
1. How much room are the two small boxes taking up? Are they in the way, taking up space for other more important things?
2. Are there photos that might be used for an event in the fairly near term? For instance, is there a milestone birthday, an engagement or wedding, or other special occasion where some of the photos may be appropriate to share?
3. Is there room somewhere for a framed collage of photos so you can enjoy them on a rotating basis? You could insert a selection of photos to display for a period of time and then swap them out when you want a change.
4, Are there photos that would be appropriate to share with others? Add a couple of photos in birthday or holiday cards to share the joy with friends and family.
The main thing is whether the photos are bringing joy or anxiety. Or it could be both. With 1000 photos it may be difficult to have just one nice album, but places like Costco sell packages of 2 or three albums, so theoretically you could just stick them in albums and be done with it.
As far as yearbooks go, do they bring joy or anxiety? Do they take up valuable space or are they out of the way until you want them?
Hope this helps!
Brenda
Idea #3 is a real breakthrough idea. Love that!!
Thanks, so much!!
i wish i had this to look at when i was decluttering. i threw away my high school photography binder with so many photographs (of others i don’t see anymore & random stuff ) and film & a couple individual sheets. i did give me such an overwhelming feeling of to keep or not , i felt the same way as Gina 100% though i wasn’t clear about it. i stashed it in the bag and had a feeling i should go back for it but i didn’t go back for it. if only i had been a bit patient and slowed down & listen to myself. And now i feel blah about it after a couple days after it was gone..
these thoughts are quite helpful Brenda!
Thank you for your kind words, Niya!
It’s OK to grieve a bit for the loss of something you wish you still had. But don’t let that grief color your enjoyment of life. There are many things from my past that I wish I still had that are impossible to replace. Sometimes I feel sad or angry about the loss, but those emotions need to recede and enjoyment for today needs to be primary.
If your negative feelings are overwhelming, be sure to find a qualified counselor to help you.
Best regards,
Brenda
My mother is borderline and threw out all our baby pictures about 10 years ago because she decided we were all bitches and whores. And then lied about it when confronted. Now all we have are the photos my grandparents happened to have of us. It is really painful and difficult to explain now that my sister has a child
I’m so sorry for your experience, Leandra!
Unfortunately, not everyone has the perfect family situation. It is very painful when there is such a toxic relationship.
Hopefully your grandparents are able to share the photos the they do have of you and your siblings. I wouldn’t try to explain about the pictures, but just say there aren’t very many available. Even if your mother was the ideal role model, things can happen to ruin pictures.
If you need help processing your past, you might want to find a qualified therapist or counselor.
Best regards,
Thank you SO much. I really needed to read this. I was moving and accident threw away my oldest son’s baby book. I died a little inside. Reading this has helped me a lot. You’re absolutely RIGHT, it doesn’t improve or weaken my bond with my child if I lost his baby pictures. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words, Melinda! It’s wonderful that you are able to put this event in perspective. Continue to be kind to yourself!!
I laughed at this a lot harder than I should have! Thanks for injecting a bit of fun into this!
You’re welcome!
i have searched the internet to try and find if anyone has ever tried to deliberately hurt themselves by destroying every precious picture of themselves as a child and as an adult. I think I was feeling bad and this is what I did. I have just tried to find those pictures and cannot believe they have gone. I have kept the photographs of people long dead going back to Victorian times.! I have found a couple of negatives of me in the lovely garden long vanished under a housing development and am going to try and get those processed . I was interested in your decluttering article and wonder if anyone else has done what I did. I have no direct family who would be interested in these things so perhaps it is for the best
Hi, Sinead:
Thanks for sharing your struggle. Although no one else has posted about this issue, I would be surprised if more people have not done this as well.
At one point in my life, I felt so awful about myself that I would have been very capable of this very thing. Perhaps that’s one instance where being disorganized was a positive thing, since I couldn’t get my hands on those pictures.
You may want to talk to a mental health professional to help you process all your thoughts about this.
My recommendation is that at the very least, you extend the same kindness to yourself as you would to someone else who did something like this. Forgive yourself, be gentle and remind yourself that those pictures were only representations of your memories. You still have those in your head and your heart!
Best blessings to you,
Brenda
Brenda, thank you so much for your wonderful insightful reply. You have a gift . The last paragraph in particular is very moving and has made me realize that as you say, the memories live on even if the actual representations have gone. I can still still see the little girl on the swing because she’s part of me!
Your words and your advice have given me great comfort and helped me put things into perspective.
Again with my thanks and gratitude,
Sinead
You’re so very welcome, Sinead!
Well, I didn’t read through all the comments thus far, but I find that I have a hard time throwing away old photos because I think maybe my daughter will become interested in her ancestors at some point (like my grandparents and great aunts and uncles). I know that’s how it has been with me. As I get older (I’m in my 50’s), I become more interested in our family tree and history.
And I would ask, why not just throw them in the trash? What would someone do with them? I’ve thrown tons in the regular trash and can’t imagine anything nefarious that could happen if someone kept them. What are we talking about here??? Thanks! And great advice overall, by the way. Very helpful!
Thanks for coming by, Emily!
Please don’t think that we advocate letting go of ALL photos indiscriminately. The article talks about letting go of duplicate photos, photos containing people or places you don’t recognize at all, and photos that are contributing to your clutter issues.
If you’re interested in ancestry yourself, you may want to put together some kind of book or website that you can share with family members and close friends. You might want to create a book and give as gifts to family and friends that love you and your family.
It’s up to you whether you’re comfortable throwing photos in the trash. The biggest concern would be identity theft. It’s generally better to be safe than sorry.
Hope this helps!
I would just suggest that if you’re saving photos for your daughter, to be sure to write names and dates on the backs while you still know. Nothing more frustrating than wondering who the people are in old photos
Good point, Maggie! Adding names and dates makes the photos more meaningful!!
Thanks for sharing!
I found your site while searching for what to do with old photos, and I have now read through it, and all the comments too. I needed “permission” to shred photos and I got it – thanks! I have many photos from family members who have passed away. Some I have pulled out to send to cousins and others who might want them. A very few are of historical significance, and some are just bad or damaged photos. Others are of family members who died way before I was born and there isn’t any reason to hold onto these. (Still, some guilt in shredding them…) I went from a big box to a small box of keepers that I will make a second sweep through, because I find that having a period of time to think about the memories and what the photos mean to me personally helps clarify my decision. One person mentioned that they wouldn’t want to see their photos in a thrift shop, and I don’t feel the same way. I think that some photos would be of genuine interest to collectors, especially those that show buildings, signage or a way of life that no longer exists. Nostalgia is real! Next up for me: I have six boxes of photo albums of my young married life and my own kids – far too many! These adult “boys” live on Facebook and Instagram and their interest is in the moment. Still, one day they may want some of the photos, but would be overwhelmed by the volume (!) so I will choose which to scan. Our Covid-19 pandemic is proving to be the right time for these projects!
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Im senior,separated with my husband for 15yrs,with no kids.can l throw or shred our wedding album..
Thanks for stopping by! Only you can decide what to do here. If your husband does not want the album, it’s really up to you. I do recommend securely shredding rather than throwing in the trash, as anyone might retrieve them.
Hope this helps!
I have a lot of photos that I am trying to get organized. Do I need to keep photos of relatives say cousins, nephews, aunts etc. My daughter would not know who most of these people are. What to keep and what to throw away. Does one keep just the immediate family photos when they are trying to downsize a massive photo collection. For some reason I guess it is maybe guilt when I try to throw a pic away. Say for instance my husbands sister sent so many pictures of her children etc, Do I just keep one all all of them or none. The same with my family of aunts, uncles etc. The same thing is with Greeting cards I have a whole bin of them.
I would love your perspective on this.
Hi, Ree:
Thanks for commenting. Hopefully you read through the post, especially about guilt.
“Need” is the wrong word. Do you WANT to keep photos of cousins and other extended family? Only you can determine the consequences of letting go of photos — and whether you can live with the consequences. For example, one consequence of parting with the pictures of your husband’s sister’s children is that your sister-in-law will be angry with you. Can you live with that? Some people can; others can’t. If you decide peace with her is of more value than reclaiming your space, you’ll hang on to those pictures.
You can easily downsize a massive photo collection by digitizing them. If you have the time and are so inclined, you can take the time to scan them yourself. Otherwise, there are a number of businesses out there that will take you boxes of photos and do the scanning for you.
I learned to let go of greeting cards when I got the same birthday card from my husband three years in a row. It was a lovely card with a beautiful sentiment. And I realized I didn’t need the physical cards anymore — he hadn’t changed his mind! 😉 If you want to keep the cards, you could create a collage for your wall as art or just frame individual cards.
Only you can truly decide what to keep and what to release. It depends on what you’re willing to trade. Do you want your space or the items? Neither answer is wrong.
Be well!
Brenda
I have started to try again to go through pictures. Don’t know why I seem to be unable to do it. My daughter said she doesn’t want any of her college pics etc but then when I press her she says she does. I am finding pics of my sister in laws kids photos which my daughter doesn’t have interest in any of these to have. She gave be pictures 5×7 of each year to a point. No one looks at these pictures. My daughter won’t remember any of these relatives aunts etc and my teen grandkids are not interested. I really thought my daughter would want some but I am realizing I am more sentimental. I just don’t know why I can’t through some things away. Maybe because it is like throwing that person away which I know sounds silly. But, I have got to do something. Since this pandemic I have had plenty of time to do this sorting. I actually started in March but have not gotten far and the pictures are still sitting in shoe boxes. I actually brought the little plastic holders 5×7 that are in a suitcase like plastic box that I got at the store to start but so far I just put in my daughters wedding pictures. I can never throw away my grandkids pic no matter how many but I just don’t k ow how to deal with others like aunts, uncles etc from long ago. The same with greeting cards. Everything is so overwhelming when I see these pictures that I can’t seem to get motivated. I don’t want to put them on a thumbnail drive because that is like out of site out of mind in that it is just throwing them somewhere. I have so many pics on my computer to that I need to go through but it would take forever! Any motivational suggestions on how to handle all these relative pics and how not to feel guilty about throwing them away. Thanks so much.
Hi, Ree:
Your guilt feelings and struggle with letting go is not unusual!
I have a couple of suggestions that may help:
As you sort through the photos, ask yourself how it would feel to NEVER see this picture again. It doesn’t matter who is in the photo. Determine what level of loss you would feel if that picture never showed up again.
For pictures that you are absolutely positive you want to keep, put in an album or the storage boxes you mentioned. Don’t worry whether they are in any sort of order, just get them in the storage box or album.
Practice tossing photos (actually, I recommend shredding. If you’re not comfortable shredding them yourself, take a box or bag of photos to someplace like Staples where they have shredding service) by getting rid of duplicates or obviously bad pictures (blurry, etc).
Sort photos of relatives into envelopes (like large manila envelopes) and label with which branch of the family they are in. You can decide later if you want to shred these or send them to the family members. Just put a short note in the envelope that says something like “I ran across these photos the other day and thought you would enjoy them.” Don’t ask the relatives ahead of time if they want them! Just send them.
Hope this helps!!
Brenda
What about photos of relatives that give you pictures of their kids each year. Their kids pics when they were little. Their kids are grown now. So these were pics from those dept stores years ago that you took each year. If they initially gave them to me would it be rude to give them back to them and see if they want them. Would they be insulted? Or should I just shred them.
Hi, Ree:
A couple of things:
First, you’re over-thinking and still being led by guilt, rather than reason.
Second, how would you feel if you got a packet of past pictures of your child from a friend with a note that says, “I was doing some downsizing and came across these cute pictures of [your child’s name]. They made me smile and so I’m sending them to you in hopes that they brighten your day. Hope all is well with you and [child’s name].” Does that feel rude to you? I think if you sent a packet of pictures with no explanation or a note that said “I don’t want these any more,” THAT would be rude!
The simplest solution is to just shred them.
Hope this helps!
Ree has a point. When my father passed away, a relative sent me a huge box of pictures of him from babyhood on, and I actually felt badly. It seemed as if they didn’t value him or his memory. I’d have felt better if the note had said something like, “We’ve kept/scanned our favorites to remember him by and thought you might enjoy having these,”
I am married for the 3rd time now and finally happy that this will be my last. I have my wedding album from my 1st marriage and all the pictures from our honeymoon in Jamaica and other random photos of my life “before” I met my current husband. (1st husband and I – amicable divorce) (2nd husband – I have nothing from that marriage).
We will be moving soon and my current husband is a little insecure with my “past life” which
A. Is none of his business and
B. Has nothing to do with him.
But…I need to get rid of this stuff. I don’t want to just erase the life I had before him so I was thinking it would be best to take pictures of all of the albums and keep them on a hard drive somewhere and then toss the hard copies. Just not sure how to dispose of an entire wedding album with the thick cardboard pictures that are bound together. I would hate to toss it in the garbage and have my personal life just out there.
Any suggestions? Thanks!!!
Thanks for sharing your struggle, Jenn.
Making digital copies sounds like the way to go for you. As far as the albums go, does your ex-husband want them? Are there children who would enjoy having the originals?
If you do have to ultimately let go of them, I wouldn’t put them in the trash. I would shred them. You might ask photo experts for other ways to securely destroy unneeded photos.
Brenda
I have some photos which have no relavance now. But taro g them is difficult because in those some people are my own. Is there any better way.
I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking. Could you please clarify?
After you have gone through the photos and digitalized the ones you want to keep how do you get rid of old photos, black & white and color.???
Hi, Mary:
If no one in the family wants the originals, you’ll want to safely dispose of them. Shredding is probably the best method.
My all photos albums were thrown in the garbage 2104 or 2015 in November ( I believe). By my ex.
Is there anyway or miracle I find them???
I’m so sorry this happened to you. It’s unlikely that you can recover them. You’ll have to think of this as a loss similar to if your photo albums were destroyed in a fire or flood. It’s hard, but you can get through this.
I enjoy what you wrote about the dangers of throwing away photos. I just finished going through 6 photo boxes worth of redundant photographs and several boxes of paper “keepsakes” that filled 4 large garbage bags. It feels so good to do this! Now I have to tackle my parents’ 65 year old, 6 inch thick wedding album. What’s so hard is that I love my parents, they had a great marriage, my mom passed away 15 years ago and this album is a view to a 50’s era Italian-American wedding. I’m not sure what to do with it.
Thanks for your kind words, Karen! And good for your decluttering!!
You don’t HAVE to get rid of your parents’ wedding album at all. It sounds like a lovely keepsake with some valued history. There’s no reason to part with it.
What I do recommend is that you have it on display for people (especially you) to enjoy.
Hope this helps!
Brenda
I’m just going to let people know that a good way to get rid of pictures is to burn them. I have actually done this not to long ago. I’m not done going through all my pictures but i started off getting rid of pictures of my ex husband out of my old wedding album. You can burn pictures in a fire place or a burn barrel like i have out side in the back. Just make sure to be safe burning pictures.. There wont be any chance of someone finding your pictures you tossed..
Thanks for weighing in on this, Melissa.
As you mention, people need to consider the safety factor when burning pictures or documents. They also need to check their local ordinances. Some areas restrict outdoor burning. Plus, chemical reactions may occur, depending on how the photos are processed and the paper used.
So be cautious and learn more before burning!
Brenda
I wouldn’t want any triggering photos in the house with me either. BUT, I am very passionate about this. What is your upsetting excess could be a gift to someone like me . I am obsessed with family history, especially on my grandmother’s side of the family. She was very hushed about her life before. After she died, I went down the rabbit hole. I found a lot of interesting history. Really interesting. As a child, her father was taken by the south as a POW. He and her mother divorced. Both pretty big things that I never knew. For years I have been digging and I cannot find a single (NOT ONE) photograph of my grandmother as a child or of any of her family at all. There are tons and tons of my grandfather’s extended family on Ancestory,com. and not a single one of my direct relatives. It is really sad to not be able to put a picture to this remarkable story I’m piecing together. For certain, it would have been too painful for my grandmother to tell, but it’s nice to keep a record for your innocent nerdy and nerdy future grandchild. Best case, take them to the goodwill.. People actually buy them. Best case, get them them to a library or museum near the areas where they were taken. If that is disconcerting, seal them up and bury them away with instructions in a will. Our photos are simply going to be an excessive, dishonest curation of our lives.. The quantities will be a burden to our kids. But to many of our not so distant relatives, they would have been lucky to have a single portrait or two in their lifetime. I mean you no harm, but think about it. Be well.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Trish! You have some very good options.
A friend did indeed find a historic family photo on eBay, which he delightedly purchased.
There are a number of ways to handle photos and you’ve given us a few more.
I am just about to embark on getting rid of some old photos. Many are nieces and nephews when they are young. I am just going to toss the, you can’t recycle photos. Their parents will have all of the same photos. I just needed reassurance that the garbage man won’t show up at my house wondering if I was missing some photos! My own Mom passed away peacefully in September. She had a very specific habit of dating every photo, and noting the occasion, and who was in the photo / location. I assumed “everybody’s Mom did that”. When I started dating my husband of 29 years, I kept turning photos from his house around to see when they were taken. I picked up the same trait and it has served me well. Thanks for the advice! Happy Holidays to all! Colleen E.
Thanks, Colleen!
It may be best to shred the photos, rather than toss them whole. But it’s up to you.
I appreciate you stopping by!!
Brenda
My parents died several years ago and I have finally reached the point where I can go through the photo albums my mother spent so much time assembling. Imagine my surprise when I found a ratio of at least 20 photos of my only sibling to one of me. There were even photos that I knew I was in when it was taken and they cut me out. I grew up in an abusive environment and these photos just brought back extremely painful memories that it wasn’t my interpretation, they really did not love me. I have no other family members to leave them to except my sibling and they probably don’t want them. I read somewhere once that it something makes you feel bad (sentimental) get rid of it, no matter how valuable it is. I decided I’ll keep the few photos of ancestors for my niece who really doesn’t want any of them. I figure one day if she marries and has kids, her kids might like to see photos of their ancestors. I’m having a hard time destroying the photos because once they are lost they are lost. I don’t want to spend hours and hours saving them to the cloud. The people who caused me such pain all my life are now causing it from beyond the grave. Will I regret destroying these photos?
Thanks for your comments, Jennifer.
Please consider finding a mental health professional who can help you work through these very deep concerns that you have.
There is no simple, blanket answer for how to deal with things like this.
I don’t know if you will regret destroying the photos. You might, despite the bad feelings they evoke.
Please do find a professional who can work with you on this.
Keep us posted on how you’re doing!!
Brenda
No need to be hurt all over again
Toss the photos. Nothing to feel guilty or regretful for. Toss them like a dirty shirt, and then treat yourself to a make-over or a movie.
♡
Thanks for your input, Linda!
It can be more of a challenge for people who are prone to guilt or have past issues they are processing.
But, yes, we should make sure to indulge in a self-care treat now and then!!
I would love to know where you are with this, I share parts of your story and am here to see how others deal with it. But everyone (until you) has family they share with! I have a terrific therapist, but — his wife handles all that stuff, I can’t see him giving me very practical advice. More of the “What do you want to do, deep in your heart?” (I want someone to tell me what to do and that the choice is perfect!) If we’d been parented well maybe we’d have an easier time trusting our decisions, eh? Best, Elisabeth
I truly believe that you WON’T regret destroying them, and I think your thought process about keeping a few that are meaningful to you is a sensible one. In destroying photos of people and situations that bring back painful memories, I believe you’ll be liberating yourself to move on, and to move forward with positivity. You need to value yourself and realize you’re worthy of feeling happy and whole, even if others tried to convince you otherwise while you were growing up. I am in the process of picking out photos to destroy, and I am choosing to get rid of ones where I can see that I was really drunk, and it reminds me of a time in my life where I made a lot of bad choices. Good luck, and realize that you are entitled to beginning a wonderful new chapter in your life!
Thanks for your thoughtful insights, Laurel!
Thanks for sharing your advice. I just KonMari’d everything in my house, except for the sentimental stuff. That’s supposed to be done last anyway. We are moving in less than a month, and I put all of these items together and was not surprised to find that most of them are pictures.
I have a problem with getting rid of pictures, and almost feel “tasked” as the family historian. No one laid this burden on me except myself, but people have started giving me the family stuff since they know I’m into that kind of thing. Sigh. Now I just feel burdened with all of it and want to set it (and myself) free.
I had a difficult childhood of emotional abuse and a narcissistic mother. My photos remind me of all that history, and some of it is sweet, but mostly it’s bitter. I avoid looking at the albums because I know that they will trigger me. I thought about digitizing them, but perhaps I should just go through each album and keep only the pictures that “spark joy”. I don’t know if anything will be left and that gives me anxiety.
Do you have any advice for me because I have this feeling that I need to make a decision about this now or never?
I appreciate your mixed feelings about pictures. Especially as you have experienced abuse.
I understand that you want to make a once and for all decision. Here’s what I suggest:
1. You say you are moving in less than a month. I don’t know how many albums or pictures you have to sort through. I recommend spending 15-20 minutes 3 days a week with your pictures. Sort however many pictures you can get through into three piles: Definitely keep, Definitely let go and Not sure. Go with your first gut reaction.
2. At the end of the 15 or 20 minutes, toss the Definitely let go in a box or bag to shred. Put the Definitely keep in a box to either put into new albums or frames. From the Not sure pile, choose five to keep and let the rest go.
3. Repeat this process until you have to pack up the albums to move. At that time, evaluate how you feel about continuing this process and whether you can let go of the remainder or if you want to continue to sort this way in your new surroundings.
Keep us posted on how you’re doing!
Thank you for this post. My elderly mother has dementia and I’ve been working to fix house for nursing home care.
There were so many gigantic crates of pics. I struggled with guilt but have no place for them. Mom said she didn’t want them nor does my sister. I am keeping special ones and tossing the rest. Thank you for lessening my guilt!
Thanks for your kind words, Laura!
You are doing a wonderful service by helping your mother. And part of that is honoring her decision that she doesn’t want those photos.
Take care,
Brenda
Such a good post, and excellent comments!
One thing I’m having a problem with is photos of former co-workers. I have pictures from company outings, parties, and so on. I haven’t kept touch with many of the people in them; those who I have kept touch with I have other photos of. Should I just dump those?
Also, I have a lot of photos of nieces and nephews, from when they were very little until they were in their 20s or later. Their parents have similar photos. Why do I feel so bad about dumping these? Should I keep any?
Hi, Ima:
This isn’t a matter of “should.” Do you WANT these photos? If so, what’s the best way for YOU to keep them — in a physical album? digitally? stuffed in a shoebox? It’s all up to you and what’s best for you and your family.
I have been in the same apartment 45 plus years. Over time everyone has dumped their photos and other memorabilia here in my place. Now I want to move. It is daunting. I am ready to discard all of it. It appears no one else wants it. Don’t rummage through the photos, just discard without guilt. Free yourself.
Yes, it’s interesting that the same people that get angry or appalled that YOU are willing and able to release things you don’t want or need are not willing to be the keepers themselves!
Thanks! I am going thru my late parents photos now. I am amazed how many say things on the back like ‘guess who this is?’ I am tossing most. I read recently that i need to keep remembering that these are not MY memories, so no bad feelings. I did take a few phone pictures and add to facebook, so my aunties would know what i was up to. They didnt say ‘send them to me’ so i didnt. I kept a fraction of the photos, geneology sort, but tossed the rest. I feel liberated! Be brutal, and toss what you dont want or need to preserve one image of ancestors. I feel so much better.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Trish! And good for you!!
And you’re not being “brutal,” you are being selective… 😉
Brenda
I have no idea who my daughter is anymore. When I look at her old pictures growing up, when I see them now I am consumed with guilt, disappointment, and failure. So I removed from the wall, frames, trinkets, and threw them all away.
I’m sorry that you are experiencing this, Garrett. While I understand that you would want to remove reminders of your guilt, disappointment and failure, please consider also getting professional counseling to work through these issues. I do wish you the best…
Ok, I know this sounds mad but I have worked out why I find it so hard to throw away photos.
I can throw away photos that don’t have people in them no problem at all. I don’t care if its a beach, mountain, car, house etc.
But if it’s a photo of a person, I feel like something bad will happen to that person if I throw the photo away.
I can hear how mad this sounds and I can’t believe that I am even saying it but that is how I feel.
I am, however, determined to get rid of lots of photos as we are moving house soon and I cannot face lugging them to another house to then put them up in the loft until we next move. Madness.
Hi, Racheal:
Your feelings are quite reasonable! Photos do represent people we care about. It can feel dismissive — or even cruel — to destroy that representation. Rationally, we know that it’s not true, but who said our emotions are rational?
It took a great effort for me to let go of the dozens of duplicate school pictures of my kids. But the truth is, I had the 8X10 in a picture frame (I put the most current to the front and kept the previous behind the newest photo), the 5X7 in a photo album and a copy in my wallet. Plus, each set of grandparents have copies. Like anything else, it takes practice to conquer an irrational fear.
I recommend buying a large photo album (just one!) and schedule a regular appointment (with a start and stop time — no more than an hour) to work through the photos. Grab a handful and start sticking them in the album. Don’t worry about chronology or any other kind of organization. Have a box or bag for tossing photos you don’t want to keep. How often you schedule this depends on how imminent your move is. But say you do this three times a week and deal with 20 photos at a time. You’ll have dealt with about 240 photos in a month!
Take the bag of photos you don’t want to a local shred event and let them go.
Keep me posted on how you’re doing!
Brenda
Hi Brenda
I decided to scan my photos and then shred them.
I started Sunday and so far have scanned 933! There is still a lot more to go but it is the best decision I made.
At first it felt wrong to be shredding them but I kept telling myself that it is ok because they are stored in the cloud and are safer than in the loft.
When I have finished I am going to give the password to my grown up children so that they can enjoy them whenever they like.
Thanks for your support.
Racheal
Yes, permanently removing photos can be a bit stressful, but you’re right, you still “have” them! And it’s great that you are sharing them with your children. And remember, anytime you DO want a physical copy, you can always get a print made. Congrats on your progress!!
The numerous tubs of photo albums taking up space in my closets causes me stress. Not sure why. I’ve started using google scan to digitize them, now they’re in the cloud and I can peruse them when i want and pitch the tubs. Even shared them with my sisters and childhood friends. Hopefully no regrets when i pitch the hard copies 🙂
Good for you, Kelly!
You can always test your regret level by tossing a few at a time, starting with the photos that are less personal to you. Only you can decide your comfort level with tossing the hard copies. I do recommend taking the actual photos to a reputable shredding service rather than just putting in the trash.
Keep us posted!
Brenda
Dear Brenda,
Greetings. I am glad to find this article of guidance scribed by you, as I also have no good memories of my childhood neither of my parents or the family I already have left them 11 years ago. Have an album full of around 100 of photos from the 1st day of my birth to the age of 21 (45 now) selected and compiled by my late insensitive mother & father. I am also confused trashing or burning that album. I was treated in such a harsh manner that I am psychologically unable to have consistent marital relationships and havng my own children. I had to get rid of all my ‘toxic’ relationships. Kindly advise. Thanks.
I am so sorry that you have suffered so!
Since your past is impacting your current relationships, the best advice that I can give is that you seek competent help from a qualified mental health professional.
You are in my prayers.
Thank you for this posting! I told my husband I had to search this topic to help with my dilemma.
My father and mother passed away and I was left with boxes and boxes of old photos, albums, memorabilia pieces. My sisters and I went through every photo, threw away many duplicates, ugly, insignificant photos so that I could take them to a local company to digitize. I now have the thumb drives with over 3000 photos on them. Beautiful but now what do I do with the actual photos? I am keeping their wedding album, but what to do with the rest? I will be sending an envelope to each of my siblings with their family photos and will offer for them to take the rest if they want. If they don’t want them then I will take them to the next shred it event.
It’s the emotional attachment that makes it hard to throw them away. But realistically we all know we’ll never spend time going through them again. My sisters and I had fun going through them once and now it’s time to move on!
I am very happy we digitized because now our kids and grand kids will hopefully enjoy them for years to come. It is history and we want some record of it.
Thanks for your comment, Rose.
Yes, this is a very emotional issue. But it sounds like you’ve handled it well. I do recommend shredding the photos you no longer need.
I appreciate your stopping by!
Brenda
Shredding is an ideal spiritually correct method in discontinuing its life on earth. Never want to come across it in a thrift store per say… anywho thank you for your help with my dilemma
You’re welcome!
This blog post was all the confirmation I needed to validate my intuition. Thank you.
I’m healing from a childhood where physical and emotional abuse were constant.
My parents loved me, but the wounds caused are deep, and I’m learning now that what I feel is valid most of all, and what is happening now, in the present, is what counts.
Tonight I tossed four grocery bags filled with old photos that I haven’t looked in ages; photos of a life that is not relevant to me. I figure that, if something matters, it’s etched in my memory. Anything that caused me a trigger went to the dumpster.
Dear Kate:
I’m so sorry that constant abuse marred your childhood.
I am glad, though, that you are validated and that you are not allowing the bad things of the past to rob you of your present. I admire your courage and tenacity!
Brenda
Oh my goodness! This is amazing. This post showed up on a google search and it just confirms this crazy idea I had. I’ve been out of scrapbooking for about 3+ years and I always say I’m going to get back to it. But I never had. I just continue to organize my stuff. I might do a layout or two but I stop.
I had a crazy thought to just throw away all my pictures that I need to scrapbook since I still have my digital copies. I had a few seconds of relief and then I got scared and thought no way.
Well I need to do this. How exactly can I dispose of all these pictures? I feel weird about throwing pictures from all these different events in the garbage. For privacy reasons. I don’t know it’s weird.
Glad you found this post, Tatiana!
I agree that simply putting the photos in the trash is not the best thing to do. If they are just blurred pictures or photos of nature, that’s one thing. But if they are of family members or have identifying features of where (and how) you live, that’s different. Check for shred events in your area or look for shredding businesses in your area.
Good luck!
We have just finished moving my 88 year old mother into an assisted living facility and had the daunting task of dealing with all of her photo albums. Children, grandchildren, holidays, vacations…oh my what to do? Guess what she said? Throw them away!! I was dumbfounded but then I started to think about it. She hadn’t looked at them for years and all the important moments of her life she still can remember. I know what you’re thinking, at some point she may not be able to remember. That’s why we went through all of the albums, took a few from the most important and enjoyable times of her life and put them in one album. She may never look at even that one but that’s o.k. I think it was harder on me, but I took what I wanted from them and haven’t looked back. I am now trying to do the same for my albums. Pare them down to a reasonable amount and let the rest go. Luckily I do make scrapbooks so I’m hoping to tell a story with the ones I find most important and hope someone will look at them after I’m gone. Thank you for the insightful article and good luck to all!
Good for you, Brenda!
I did it and I feel liberated. When fear and guilt are the motivation for doing anything, we can be sure we’re doing the wrong thing. Our memories are better than any photograph anyway.
Good job, Mark!
You’re right: Fear and guilt are definitely not good guides for taking action. And while seeing a photo can trigger memories (my cousin just posted an old photo of Grandma’s ceramic cats on Facebook), it’s not the only way to provoke recall.
Thanks for stopping by!
Brenda
Amen. So glad you did it; now I’m motivated to action. Thanks
I’ve just discovered this blog while searching for some support of the moral quandary I find myself in while trying to declutter in general and dispose of photos in particular. My dilemma is so acute because it’s mainly about dozens of albums my daughter has sent to me of her three children over 15 years; elegant booklets devoted to the children in utero, her tummy in various stages of pregnancy, hefty albums of beautiful photos of taken by professionals – the children romping, leaping, hair blowing, the family posed in unusual situations, I adore my daughter, and I am besotted with the children but just feel detached from these photographs which I haven’t looked at in years and which seem somehow contrived. Do I ask her if she’d like them back and risk offending her or just keep them where they are, collecting dust, and let her deal with them when I’m gone? Nowdays, of course, the kids are constantly posted on fb and Instagram and there are no more albums. I think that writing this has been cathartic and has answered my own questions. As I can’t possibly throw them out they are going back on their shelf. Am I awful and unsentimental? Maybe so, except that I love to rummage through “real” photos, old school reports, letters and notes. And yes, I do feel guilty for having an aversion to these albums, compiled and sent with the best intentions, and am ready to be berated.
I’m sorry, Nan, but I don’t berate ;-).
You are not awful and unsentimental. But I understand why you feel guilty as well.
A lot depends on what kind of relationship you have with your daughter. If talking to her frankly about this is a “risk,” as you say, then it may be best to keep them.
You might consider whether you take the following approach: Now that I’m getting older, I really want to downsize my possessions. I have all of these albums from when the kids were smaller. Would you want these back to give to the children when they are older? — something along those lines. If she says she does not want them. Ask for her suggestions on what you might be able to do with them.
People are much more amenable when offering their advice!
Hope this helps!
Brenda
My mother gave me 5 photo albums, that she was not going to look at anymore. They are filled with pictures of her growing up in Japan. I haven’t looked at them since she gave them to me and now I’m moving. I feel horrible about trashing them, because they’re just photos, but I feel like I’m throwing part of my mother away, if that makes sense. I don’t usually feel guilt, but I think that’s what this pain in my stomach is. Can you suggest how I can assuage those feelings,please? Help! Thank you
Hi, Kate:
Have you considered having the albums digitized and saved on a thumb drive? Are the pictures generic enough to share with a Japanese culture organization? These are just a couple thoughts on how you might be able to release the physical photos with less guilt.
In the end, only you can decide if the guilt feelings (whether “legitimate” or not) trump letting go of the 5 albums.
There is no right or wrong; just what works best for you and your family.
Take care,
Brenda
Thanks for your post I found it very therapeutic!!!! Now I can start disposing of unnecessary photos. Already did stage 1 getting rid of blurrred and non sense pictures now I will concentrate in keeping those with a real value to me!
Good for you! Keep us posted on your progress. Would love to know the end of the story.
Brenda
Yes! My sentiments exactly-thank you!
Going through stuff and getting rid of it makes me sad, but having it gone makes me happy. It’s like a detox, basically, in which you just have to get it over with so you can live in the moment.
You are so right, Li!
I just unloaded a bunch of books. I finally had to come to terms with the fact that I just don’t have the time to study all of them the way I want. Now that they are gone, I’ve got room — emotionally and energetically — to pursue other stuff that’s been on hold.
hello maam, is it okay if we throw pictures that we do not want to see it all the time?
Hi, Nikki:
Thanks for your question. I’m not sure I completely understand what you are asking. If there are other people in your home that do like to see those pictures, then you have to think of them. For example, maybe you do not like your mother-in-law and don’t want to see her picture, but your spouse wants to see that picture. Then it is not wise to throw it away. You need to be sensitive to others who live in your home.
I hope that helps!
Loved reading all the comments here. I am planning 2 days this week to declutter photos, and next month I am tackling my mother’s storage boxes. She is 83 and has progressing dementia. I will focus on finding family photos of people she or my aunts can identify. Thank you for the permission to throw out vacation photos and pics with no people!
Also I really like the idea of noting WHY I choose to save a particular photo.
And finally it is helpful to ask myself, “Self, how often have you actually pulled out and looked at the few photo books which you HAVE nicely organized and purchased from computer photo sites?” Answer: very rarely…like once a year!
That definitely helps me regain my “Less is More” perspective when I feel wiggly about tossing!!
Thank you for the freedom 🙂
You’re welcome, Jennifer!
This is a tough one. I know I want to let go of the pics but so far I just can’t let go. I am thinking of digitalizing them.
Thanks, for stopping by, Liz! Yes, it’s tough to release pictures. Digitizing is certainly an option!
I find that just thinking about the stuff makes me feel a little sad: Good times (and bodies) gone by with a daughter and close friends and relatives departed. For several years I have been tempted to haul this large plastic box out to the can, close my eyes and just toss the whole shebang. My remaining daughter has no interest in any of my clutter. in any form. Live in the moment,right?
Hi, June:
Thanks for stopping by. We really only can live in the moment. The question about our stuff — whether it’s clutter or not — is if the things we surround ourselves with makes each moment more enjoyable or not. I don’t think that everything around us should make us deliriously happy. Sometimes I get sad when I see pictures of my kids when they were little and wish I could undo/redo stuff with them.
The point is whether or not your things are keeping you stuck in a place you don’t want or need to be.!
Take care,
Brenda
Well, a really terrible thing did happen to me when I threw away some photos of me that looked horrible and I didn’t want to keep them. I live in a small town in the Balkans (south-eastern Europe). I put photos in the garbage and took it to the big dumpster at the end of the street, where my whole neighbourhood used to throw their garbage. Later that same day, I went to an Internet cafe I regularly visited, as I didn’t have a computer at home at the time. Most customers of this Internet cafe were teenage boys who, of course, knew me. They had some of my photos and were showing them to everyone, making fun of them and threatening to publish them online. I took them away from them and went home crying. The next day I took the rest of my photos from the dumpster and shredded them to pieces. However, those kids spread the gossip and soon I couldn’t even go out anymore, everyone was making fun of me. I had to move away.
I’m sorry that this happened to you, Sanja. I think that the lesson here is more about how you dispose of photos, rather than whether or not you should. I hope that things are better for you now.
I’m planning to burn mine!
That’s one option, Michelle. Just be sure it’s safe. Not sure what kind of chemicals are released when burning photos…
Thank you for this! I found this by googling for some support for tossing out the huge piles of photos. I don’t look at them and I’m sick of caring for them. The clutter makes me crazy but I’d never found anyone who thought this was reasonable. Thank you! I will now bravely go forth and declutter this “sacred” stuff.
I’m glad you found this helpful, Bridget! That’s the goal…
I had two huge boxes of pictures that I kept schlepping around until I, like you, got sick of it. I bought some photo albums and just started sticking the ones I wanted in the books and tossing the rest.
AND I didn’t worry about labeling the photos or putting them in chronological order. It’s kind of fun seeing my son’s high school graduation picture next to one of his babyhood photos!
You have my permission to declutter away!!
Brenda
Good for you,I think Ill do the same!
I found a way to begin, by tossing old vacation pictures that didn’t involve anyone, just scenery, maybe flowers, animals. This may get you in the mood! (Of course, I have MANY more to toss!)
Good point, Lois… Go for the “easy” wins.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this site!! I have a few shoeboxes of 4 x 6 photos from the late 90’s and early 2000’s. After reading this article I first destroyed the duplicates, then blurry and similar photos. Then I destroyed the ones I was too lazy to file in the proper place. Finally I destroyed the negatives. If I ever need something I can always have it digitally scanned. I’m looking forward to doing another sweep through all the photos and consolidate even more. I can’t believe how long I’ve been holding on. Thank you for the reality check that if you destroy old photos you are NOT a bad person!
Thanks for stopping by, Kevin!
I like your methodical way of taking care of photos. It’s like you started with easy “wins” (getting rid of duplicates, then blurry, etc.) and then progressed to those that took a little more thought.
The whole point is to enjoy your photos, so do what works for you!
Brenda
I have just done a first sweep, duplicates, blurry and negatives all gone. My two boxes are now one. Maybe next year I will go through them again… ?
Good job, Barbara!
Another option, rather than waiting a year to go through all your photos again, is to schedule a regular day (could be once a week or once a month) where you process a few of the photos at a time.
First, decide what you will do with the “keepers.” Do they go into an album, get scanned to save online, send to someone who would appreciate them?
Have either a box or a shelf where you keep the photo album, along with some envelopes and your address book.
At the scheduled time, grab a handful of photos from the big box and sit down and make decisions about each photo.
Take action on each decision: stick the keepers in the album or scan them in the computer; stick the “senders” in an envelope, address to the preferred recipient, stamp and prepare to take them to the post office or mailbox.
You don’t need to spend hours once a year!
Keep us posted on your progress.
Brenda
I’m in the process of tossing literally hundreds of baby photos of my kids. My goal is to have 50 of our favorites in one album so that we will actually look at them from time to time. It’s been a little bit tough to throw them out, but really, we do not need 15 different facial expressions and body positions from a particular “photo shoot” in a certain cute outfit.. My criteria is if it makes me laugh or remember something SPECIAL (i.e. not just that it was a birthday, but the funny thing that happened that day, etc.), it stays. If it’s “meh” it goes. I’m guessing if I had tossed away the so-so ones at the time we had the film developed, that would’ve been considered OK. It’s getting rid of so many at one time, years later, that seems “controversial”. In the meantime, I’ve had to store them, move them, and worry about them. Done! If this makes me a terrible person and/or mother, so be it. Be strong, fellow declutters! 🙂
Good for you, JB!
I shudder to think of old memories and photos being thrown out. A neighbor and friend where I used to live was in Auschwitz and after he died, no one notified us. He had 50+ years of correspondence with other survivors, pre-war photos and journals filled with memories. The estate sale clean-up company threw the boxes of written materials and photos away – and all of that history with it. Use a service like http://www.ThePhotoVault.com and never just throw these items away! Please…
Hi, Kytka:
I’m afraid you misunderstood the purpose of this post.
I’m not advocating getting rid of ALL photos and memorabilia — just those that don’t make sense to keep, such as those that are too blurred to enjoy, excessive extra copies, those that are damaged beyond repair, and things like that. And, yes, there are several services available to digitize memorabilia.
However, I disagree that we should “never just throw these items away.” Very few of us have items that are truly of historical significance. Many of my clients have desperately tried to get libraries, museums, associations and societies to take their items, but they were told that they didn’t meet the qualifications to be included in collections.
Lastly, when someone is desperately overwhelmed by clutter, something’s got to give. Sometimes that person needs permission to let go of things.
I appreciate your point of view, though…
I discovered your blog through The Writer’s Village. Really enjoy it!
This post about old photos is so accurate. Reminded me of a post I once wrote in my own blog about getting rid of my t-shirt collections – which also involved phots 🙂 (http://leanself.org/2417/how-i-got-rid-of-my-t-shirt-collection/)
Thanks, Jens!
Taking pictures of items is one way to memorialize things so that they don’t take up as much space.
T-shirts can also be made into quilts or pillows. That way, you can keep them AND they are useful!
Hi from SeriousBloggers, Brenda! I can relate to digitising all those family photos. (You can salvage ancient negatives too, with a good quality scanner). Once we’ve done it we can store the scans in a folder on our computer and tell our conscience ‘They’re safe now!’ When, inevitably, we delete that folder by mistake it doesn’t seem such a loss…
Thanks for stopping by, John!
It is amusing how we can set ourselves up to think things are safe and sound — and we don’t miss them a bit after a while!
Thanks for stopping by, John!
It is amusing how we can set ourselves up to think things are safe and sound — and we don’t miss them a bit after a while!
What’s up Brenda,
It’s a good idea to go through those old pictures and make sure they are still safe.
The could be getting exposed to sunlight and getting damaged.
I went through several old pictures and scanned them in to my digital library.
Memories are all we can leave this life with it’s worth protecting.
Good point, Darnell!
Of course, if we are going to keep photos at all, we would do best to find a way to display them in a protected way. Because if the pictures are going to just be languishing in boxes, what’s the sense in keeping them?
Thanks for stopping by!!
Pics are on my to do list, and I stumbled into them this week and was immediately sidetracked. I have to stay out of there until after Thanksgiving.
My husband taught me to throw away Photos that were blurred beyond hope or of an elbow or dash of the car etc. I was shocked at first, but he was right, just like you. I wish I had met you both a few years earlier!!
Thanks for stopping by, Lin!
The important thing is that you are handling things now. Glad that you have support for decluttering photos!
I have sooooooo many photos and I leave in 48 hours for a weekend scrap booking retreat. I am so overwhelmed I think I am just going to bring a book and forget the scrapping. I wish I was a better editor years ago.
Forget about the past, Melissa! Don’t think about “should’a, would’a, could’a;” Enjoy your retreat!!
Most of my printed photos are in albums, but a while ago I sorted out those that weren’t into doubles to give away, those I can use to make a greeting card or other project, etc. and threw out the rest. So far, nothing bad has happened! 🙂
Guess you dodged the bullet, Janet (LOL!).
You were speaking to me — directly. I can tell you some other things that happen when you hang on to photos. First they turn moldy when lying around your son’s damp basement for years. The frames fall apart. You drag them with you in unopened boxes every time you move. All of guilt about throwing them away — as you so aptly pointed out.
Then there is the embarrassment of seeing what you used to look like. You keep comparing your now to your then self. If self improvement has taken place, you berate yourself for what was. If things are not the way you would like them to be now, you berate yourself for this too.
I could go on and on, but nothing says it better than this blog. Your humor is great! Thanks for sharing.
Right on, Rochelle!
And good point about the comparisons. I cringe whenever I see old photos of me — not because I don’t like how I looked back then, but because in most of them, I have my hand up to ward off the photographer because I was simply embarrassed to have my picture taken!
Well, my youngest child who has not as many early photos from his life might definitely claim “you didn’t want me in the first place!” status or more likely, he doesn’t pay all that much attention…. my eldest would applaud me for getting rid of stuff, but that isn’t bad its good….
Anyway – great food for thought!
The real point is to not have the photos stashed away, out of sight and in danger of damage!
The reason we took the photos to begin with is to enjoy them!!
Well I’d rather not think of throwing my pictures away 🙂
Yes, it is a challenging concept. However, I had so many “misfire” prints (just a kid’s elbow or blurred beyond recognition), that I realized it was silly to hang on to those.
As always with decluttering, focus on getting rid of the things you are totally comfortable with letting go; don’t worry about the other stuff. You’ll know when you are ready!
I went digital but I don’t know if that’s any better as I’ve hoarded about 10,000 pictures on my hard drive that because of its amazing space, holds that and 50,000 more pictures.
I need to de-clutter those. One of my goals this week..thanks to you!
Keep it Touched,
KG
http://www.kgstyleblogs.com
Yes, we are finding that digital clutter is a problem, too! There are sites that help with organizing your online photos and files, but I don’t have any personal experience with those.
Keep me posted on your progress!