A GON Reader Asked:

I am looking for ideas on how to sort, save, or toss really old photos. I have boxes of them from my parents and I am talking going back decades. They all have sentimental value and not only is it taking a while to sort but I'm having a hard time tossing. And no children, brothers or sisters to pass them on to when I'm gone.

--Susan Puffet

Maria Gracia Responded:

Hi Susan,

It sounds like you've begun the sorting process already and hopefully the method you're using is effective. A project like this generally requires you to have a small box for each decade, sorting your photos into each decade, and then choosing one decade at a time and sorting further by people, events, and such.

Organizing those you plan on keeping into photo boxes, versus photo albums, is easier, quicker, and takes up a lot less space.

Digitizing your photos is also an option, but really, only spend the time and/or money to do this if you plan on enjoying these photos often, for years to come.

You said, 'they ALL have sentimental value.' If this is truly the case, I have to ask why you're thinking about tossing them? There's no rule that says you can't have old photos in your possession. Are they taking up a whole lot of space? This reason may be better solved than getting rid of them. Or, do you feel you'll never look at them again...which would be a good reason to say goodbye to a bunch of them?

Usually, I have no problem with folks getting rid of 'clutter,' but there's a fine line when it comes to photographs.

If you're sure you do want to toss some of your collecton...read on.

Before tossing old photos, two tips:

See if a local historical museum or library will take them off your hands. They may use them to build their collections.

Sometimes artists or crafters will take them off your hands. Offer them on your personal Facebook page or an auction site, like Craigslist.

Photos that are excellent candidates for tossing include:

* those that are duplicates (unless you can pass them onto someone else, which in your case, it sounds like this is not the case)

* those that contain people you don't know

* those that really don't have any sentimental value (This may take digging deep into your soul. For instance, you may have 40 photos from your dad's 50th birthday. Do you need ALL 40 or can five or six of them sum up the day?)

Put all of these in a box marked TOSS. Don't worry about sorting them into categories. These are all those you're willing to part with. You can then choose to donate them, toss them out (in the regular trash, torn up or shredded if you feel the need to do this).

If this is too big of a step, seal the box, label it, and stow it away. There's no reason to sort these any further, and they can just gather dust in some tucked away corner of your home. I don't recommend this for most things you own, but there's always 'a free pass' when it comes to old photos.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Clear your clutter the fast and easy way with my organizing resource, Goodbye Clutter!

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the FEBRUARY 2022 issue, 12-pages and all in full color. I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

If you don't already receive it, it's a great time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything because, when you do, we're giving away 10 Bonuses, AND ALL of the back issues...complimentary!

Here are the topics in the FEBRUARY Issue...

The Best Gifts We Can Give Ourselves
These 10 gifts can be given at any time, will not cost you a cent, and will make life lighter and brighter

Making a Good First Impression
Ensure your first impressions are the best...9 ways

Plan an Enjoyable Day or Night Out
Here's a 5-step strategy to make it happen and to prepare yourself before you go

Your Personal Self-Care Checklist
21 'Do Good' Things for Your Body, Mind, and Soul

Never Look Bad in a Photo Again
Make every photo you take or have taken of you look great

Unexpected Ways to Use Olive Oil
12 Helpful Ways to Use Olive Oil in Our Day-to-Day Lives

Our Recipes of the Month
--Light Lemon Pesto Pasta
--Chickpea Salad

Stronger, Healthier Nails
12 Strategies to Strengthen Nails that are Weak and/or Brittle

If you don't already subscribe to my 'Anything and Everything' resource, you can learn about how to do so here:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

We have thousands of readers who LOVE it...and I'm certain you will too!

Maria

P.S. BONUS SPECIAL...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on FEBRUARY 4. When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will receive tons of bonuses, plus ALL the BACK ISSUES COMPLIMENTARY!

___ 1. Do today's task on my February Monthly Organizing Checklist. The February 3 TO DO focuses on email. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my February Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Sort through one pile of old photos. Separate by decade, event, or person. Then, set a date on your calendar to move onto the next pile.

___ 3. Vote in my web poll. My question to you this month is, how many books do you read for enjoyment in any given month? Vote in my poll and let me know. Results will be shared in an upcoming newsletter. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my web poll.

'The greatest gift is not being afraid to question.' (Ruby Dee)

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comments, suggestions, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2022 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
getorganizednow.com/contact.html

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this newsletter, or any of my communications, I may receive compensation. Still, I only recommend what I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* To subscribe, visit:
getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html


* To unsubscribe, if you absolutely must go, please click the link below. However . . .

YIKES! - If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal readers each week. You'll lose the tips, reader ideas, reader clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month. Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. I'd be lost and lonely without you. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know.
-- Maria Gracia