@@A.Rose.G good point, yes I have few seasonal ones too. I guess if it's stored but gets used it doesn't count lol. Everytime I move I keep extras until I'm totally done decorating and am sure it won't go in that house.
@@poodlegirl55 Smart! I am never really done decorating.🤣 Hence, the need for storage. It is definitely a bit more complicated. I cannot help myself. I get inspired!😀💖💕
That's great advice! I want to add, ask yourself, "Do I want to keep up with this?" There have been countless times I have kept something because it did spark joy or make me happy to look at; but when it came down to hanging it up or cleaning it, I realized, it wasn't worth my time or energy to keep up with. The things I do keep up with, however, I know I treasure because of my willingness to actually dust it.
@@A.Rose.G But I bet you know where it is and what you have. I have one closet my husband calls "Home Decorators Outlet" and I keep it to that. We have no basement in this house and I keep nothing in the garage but my car. Downsizing from 2400 sq ft to 1600 in retirement cause me to set limits.
Would love to see you “zone” what’s left in your basement - beer stuff on the shelves, donate pile, Christmas bin area, other holiday area, boxes still to go through, Andy desk area....love these videos! Thanks for sharing
Erica I wanted to give some perspective on saving kids baby things for later to give to them. My mom did this for me but the issue is, even after having my own kids, the items are meaningless to me. I have no memories of that that time. TBH that box felt like a burden to me, I didn’t want to hurt my moms feelings but why did I want an old baby blanket or a raggedy toy I can’t ever remember playing with? For the longest time I told my mom to keep the box until we just ended up using the items for my own kids. Which seemed like a good idea, but after 25 years the clothing fabric was a bad texture and the toys broke really quickly. Basically none of it was useful. It’s okay that some things had meaning at the time and they no longer do now. It’s okay to let go of them when they do.
I’ve started to become much more selective on what I save for the sake of “memories”, like baby stuff, etc. If I save too much, then none of it is special, and also I don’t want to hand big boxes of stuff on to my kids and have them feel guilt about it if those things aren’t meaningful to them. For example, my parents didn’t save any of that stuff, ie hospital outfit, bracelet, etc., and I don’t miss having it at all. I’ve also, like you with the shadow boxes, started being much more selective on keeping all those “someday” projects. If I can’t see myself doing it in a day or two, or if it’s been sitting around for months, it’s time for it to go and not be weighing me down.
I have a memory box for my son, now 18, who enjoys going through the 'old' memories that I have kept for him. There is also a letter in the box which I have written to his future self, that tells and reminds him that these are things that are and were special to 'me', and may not necessarily have the same meaning for him. Therefore, he has full permission to let go of anything and everything that doesn't resonate with him; what is one person's treasure is someone else's clutter. It releases the guilt for him.
I have saved a few things for each, and once they grow out of them, I will save a few toys for me when I become "grandma's house" someday. My mom saved some things, and they are so nostalgic for me when I see my kids playing with them at her house. I have chosen a tote, and only thing things that fit in it will be saved for that long.
And I've found what was sentimental to me, thinking my boys would enjoy some day, they really don't care about 😒 A few sentimental things is enough for me - otherwise it's packed away and I eventually have to throw it out.
My Mum recently moved and gave me things she saved as sentimental items. None of it mattered to me - the sentimental value sits with my Mum. Something to consider- are you really saving the item for yourself?
Kristen M is so right! I kept much of what you are saving for your children, boxed it up and gave it to my son (only had one). It now rests, unopened in a garage storage space in his house that is rapidly overfilling with stuff. He never found it a treasure that I kept it. What he did appreciate was what was kept of his grandfather, who he adored. Remember, your children have NO memory of that first week of life, and may likely just be "meh" about all that you saved for them. I know my mother kept an outfit, a couple of toys, a lock of my hair and a bootie for me. I had to downsize to living in an RV. They are all gone. I remember them. No one else will care.
I think the times you allow us to watch you go through the decision process is some of your most valuable content. That process, that exact time, is what exhausts me - that moment of decision - over and over again - and to see someone else going through the same thing - with your lovely sense of humour - it's just heartening and lets me know - okay everyone's got to go through the same thorn bush and sometimes it's easier than others - but we'll all get there. Eventually. 😉
We have lived in our house for 4 years and I just finally admitted to myself that I am not ever going to do a “gallery wall” so I just put up a picture ledge with 2 frames: one for each of my sons’ latest pictures. Because they are on a ledge I can lean them up either portrait or landscape each time we get new pictures without making new holes. It feels like such a relief!
Have the kids decorate the paper to use for wrapping. Is it possible that the reason you have so many framed things that don’t get put up/updated might be, not only due to moving so often, that deep down you are preferring less visual clutter and don’t actually want so many things on the wall?
OMG! My favorite part of this video was her going through that deliberation OUT LOUD for the rest of us to follow. This is why I LOVE LOVE LOVE Erica!!!
I saved all of that stuff for my girls, when they moved away, they didn’t want any of it. It was more sentimental to me, than to them ❤️. So it’s all gone now!
I kept memory boxes for both my kids from when they were babies and toddlers.... that said, my 20 year old adult children have told me recently when looking through the boxes, "Why did you keep these for us as we have zero memory of these things".... :p Looking back at this situation, I was keeping it more for MY memories. I have since narrowed it down to a small fraction of what I've kept for almost 30 years. Something to think about....
I had to take all my decorations and pictures down from my walls because of my dad's illness. I have no time to dust or do deep cleaning for the time being. I really understand and have a new perspective on homes that have an ill member and the last option being cleaning. To all of those who have a family member who is ill, please know that I have a great respect for you and your family and all the hard work that it implies.
I have two grown children that I saved a treasure box for throughout the years. I also did a complete baby book for both of them. When I gave them the boxes they could of honestly cared less about the stuff from their childhood. I waited until they were both married and had their own homes. I moved from 2300 sq ft home with a 2 car garage and an attic into an 1100 sq ft condo. I just didn’t have the space to hold onto the stuff anymore. Both of my children are just as minimal as I am so I believe that could of been part of the reason they were not impressed with the treasure boxes. Just be careful what you decide to hold onto throughout the years. They did keep them but I told them to go through them and only keep the stuff if they really wanted too. FYI... These boxes were not large at all.
That's hilarious that you found the shadow boxes. I did the exact same thing. My son is 15 and finally he just used the shadow box for all his robotics club buttons and trophies. Now at least it's being used and loved!
Doing the memory boxes rather than the shadow boxes is a good plan! If you don't get those things on the wall right away, the kids will get past the time of enjoying them. But the memory box can be enjoyed their whole lives! I loved watching you talk yourself through the process! You are one of my favorite channels because you are so REAL!
I love that you includes though process in decision making! I love to hear why people want to hold on to certain things and why they let go, it helps me do the same if I ever find myself stuck on a specific item. It often is around an ideal or future self which I find interesting. Also I don't know if this would be helpful or the kind of thing that suits your family but you can buy "smart" photo frames now, that let you upload your digital photos and they rotate between them. You can even allow other family member that may live far away to contribute via cloud as a way to stay in touch if that's something that helps feel connected. I haven't tried any of this myself but i've heard good things and obviously you are always so busy. Changing up picture is a big task for a full gallery wall.
We found that we were keeping photos/frames because we wanted to keep the photos but never actually put them up in homes. This last move (we are military) we went through all of the photos frames and "art". I donated most. Removed photos and put them in keep sakes. Donated frames! Our collection is so much smaller and more manageable now.
My mum made me a memory box that got added to throughout my childhood, so I definitely recommend having a memory box of sentimental items for your kids! It's nice to look through it once in a while. And because I've done a lot of travelling even since I was little, I saved all the little tickets to concerts, trains, planes, museums and made a collage in a big frame which I have up on the wall, it looks good and it saves from having a pile of sentimental small papers.
I remember in elementary school we sponge painted Christmas shapes on paper to make wrapping paper. I am going to have my son paint some packing paper this year to wrap gifts.
Not doing all the sentimental things doesn't make you less caring or less loving. I'm not much of a sentimental person, and for so many years I felt kind of guilty about it. But you know what? most of those things that mean something to me, don't mean much to another person. Letting go of the expectations I put on myself is so freeing.
You have been very persistent in the basement! Nice work! Something I always remind myself: just because I like something doesn’t mean I need to keep it. And then challenge myself, how would I feel if I got rid of this? And if I wouldn’t care, goodbye!! I lean toward pushing myself to let go, because in the end my personal goal is MUCH LESS STUFF :)
I just did the same thing with my shadow boxes! I have several beautiful boxes that live in the top shelf of the closet that the keepsakes go in. I also keep a smaller storage box in my office for "memory" items as a place to collect new things throughout the year. Early in the new year, I take a stroll through memory lane by going through the permanent memory boxes to make room for the new memorabilia from the temporary box. I love this because I actually look at everything and enjoy it, and can almost always purge some things that I can't even remember why it was so important to me (ex. 20 extra wedding invitations that were never mailed :P).
When I decluttered, I have one drawer I dedicated with baby things from my daughter, I only had one daughter , I have her baby quilt, her first pair of shoes, her hand print from pre K... and a few other things.. I was ruthless when I decluttered. I never looked back, it just gets so easy the longer you are minimal or minimalish, going on 5 years for me now.
It helps me a lot to know I am not the only person who purchases things for projects that I haven't completed--or even started--and will not get to in the next year or two, if at all. When I see your project purchases, I never feel judgemental about them. I am now seeing that I don't need to feel bad about myself for my own. They were just decisions I made at the time and now I am choosing something different. Thank you for sharing your journey!!
A few years ago, when hubby and I repainted a room we realized that there were A LOT of framed pictures on a set of shelves that were being taken out of the room. Took pics out of the frames, kept the few frames we still liked (inserted newer pics), and put the pics that were removed into a scrapbook album adding the story of when, where and what was going on when the photo was taken.
Yes what you were talking about with the shadow boxes was your fantasy self. You should do a video talking about it. It's very insightful and not everyone knows what it is.
The shadow boxes may be a nice Christmas gift for the right person 💞 You may even pair it with some supplies to create with for a crafty friend or relative.
Good choice on the shadow boxes. My kids are 28, 43 and 46. They would never have wanted those and when they got their own houses they wanted none of the keepsakes that I thought they would. I moved all of that stuff 14 times until it finally moved to Salvation Army. If I could have a do over our moves would have been so much simpler.
I so enjoy watching you go through the decision-making process. I've found that those sorts of things come back to me in my own process. I moved from one apartment to another a week ago, after many delays, and a ten-minute warning that the movers were there 4 and 1/2 hours earlier than planned. Theoretically I'll be moving back into a renovated apartment in 6 weeks. Watching Dana (A Slob Comes Clean), Dawn, and then you has helped me so much in packing and prioritizing, so my kitchen is very minimal and functioning. Unfortunately I missed a deadline on Medicare assistance registration because of overwhelm due to moving. I'm still panicking and condemning myself for that. I knew I needed help with that, but that doesn't mean the kind of help I needed was available when I needed it. I was rooting for you to let go of the shadow boxes, although they are something I wanted and couldn't afford when my oldests were tiny. They would have become expensive clutter for me, and I like change. I didn't know that about myself then. Going through the first drawer of two chests I stuffed full of random unpacked stuff at the last minute, deciding what to keep and where to keep/pack it, I keep hearing you ladies' voices going off in my head, and it helps a lot. Four days ago I threw out my 1977 orange, ring-binder Betty Crocker Cookbook. It was heavy and faded and grimy with a duct-taped spine, and I never use it anymore, except maybe once a year to look up how long to cook a roast or a steak, or how to cook a vegetable like asparagus. It was still emotionally hard. We used those cookie recipes at Christmas when my kids were young. Some of them used to pour over the colored pictures, especially of the gingerbread cookies (one thought they were puppets). They're all in their thirties now, living states away, and I'm allergic to wheat. I'd had to put in my own dividers, as this edition didn't have them. I bought it at the now empty Kmart store in Rapid City when I was going into my first apartment in 1977. My mother had the red Betty Crocker Cookbook from the 1950s, and I believed every kitchen absolutely needed one. In other words, I had years and tons of emotional attachment, if not use. Thanks to you three, and Marie Kondo, I was able to say "Thank you for your service," and let it go. I need the space more than the book now.
Loved watching you process. I am not a shadow box person. Give the kids a memory box and a thumb drive with - or a link to -their pics when they leave home. 😊
I think the fact that you put together those beautiful boxes for each child with their keepsakes is perfect. And the way you talked yourself in to understanding the kids things/family pictures is awesome
Set up a table (or even a board on top of some tubs) in the basement with a project,ie,changing out picture frames.Then pile them with a descriptive piece of paper on top like “to hang” ,”to change out” etc. Plan for it in your calendar to do list
Also,my three favorite sayings are, “clutter is usually delayed decisions” and “don’t put it down,put it away” and “don’t touch it more than once”. After watching some of your unboxing videos,I understand why it still looks wild and overwhelming 🤨 The next time you see those big wads of paper that you threw on the floor,you will have to pick them up,one by one and open them to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Twice the work!Also,because you have so many categories to sort into,it honestly would be easier to set up zones around the basement with paper signs taped to the wall like “donate”, “sell”, “Andy’s to box up”,etc.,etc.etc.Let the kids watch movies and treats and you two spend the weekend unboxing and sorting EVERYTHING. Once it has all been put “like with like” ( another organization cornerstone)😁. It will go soooooooo much quicker to take care of each pile,one at a time and more importantly,once and for all.🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻. Believe me,I speak from experience and finally success 🥰
You can do a really fun craft with your kids and that paper! Get gold and silver paint and red green and white paint and sponges and let your kids decorate the new Christmas paper! I did that with my kids one year and they loved it! And they loved that we wrapped gifts in the paper they made! Plus it keeps them busy for a good long time😊 I I love your channel!! I just recently started a channel and I’m having fun with it, during these times we need to stay positive and creative, you are doing both and an amazing job at it!!😊❤️
Your craft paper gift wrap brought back a VERY old memory...I was a preschooler at the time and I’m 69 years old now. My mama used to wrap gifts in brown paper (probably cut up grocery bags). Then she would glue or tape on pictures that she had cut from old Christmas cards on for decorations. She was a thrifty lady for sure!
I had the same thing with 2 high school graduate frames for my 2 kids which I purchased when they were in Middle school. I never managed to put their HS graduation pics in- now they are 24 and 26! At least their university pics can be used... but I’ll gift to them. We downsized 3 years ago and I’m so proud to say that I continue to sort and minimize our bins as each season comes . Down to one bin for Halloween ( from 3-4). Donated lots of Xmas decorations as well. It feels good! The strategy of letting go of several items if/when I bring something in is SO valuable. Keep up the great work Erica❤️🇨🇦
Right now I'm decluttering household items like curtains and dinnerware which still are in good, useable condition but no longer needed here. Some of the things I give away for free while others I trade in for chocolate or other candy. It's win-win: People get gently used things and I get more free space and some candy. Everybody's happy :)
We used that craft paper to wrap in one year and we all sat around (there are 6 of us - we have four boys) with makers , crayons, stickers, stamps...had Christmas music going ... and everyone decorated the boxes...we had so much fun! Oh, and don't forget the hot chocolate! Also, some one might be able to use the packing paper too. I have a Poshmark closet and use it often. You can probably list that for free too if you haven't been. :)
Craftpaper is the best for wrapping : ) and your fall painting is really nice... All those photos and frames. Ypu could put them in one bin and decide that you are going to take care of them in january or february. Set a date, put it in your calender and look forward to do it : ) .
I am definitely a shadow-box person and was going to comment that I'd really enjoy a video of you putting together the kids shadow boxes, but seeing you work through to come to the conclusion that memory boxes suit you best just made so much sense. I'm glad I waited to comment and see the relief in your face at not having the task hang over you, definitely the right decision for you.
We close on our new house Monday. Currently we have been living in a two bedroom apartment with just the basics. It has been wonderful! I purged a lot when we packed to put all our things in storage. But I’ve realized that I didn’t do enough of it. So as we settle into our new house. I’m going to really evaluate what we have and pair down even more. Because living bare bones in this apartment has shown me how much less really is more.
My grandma made a shadow box for my dad and she gave it to me. It has his baby quit she made, his hospital bracelet and little toys he played with as a kid. It really special and im glad i have it
When my kids were little one Christmas I wrapped the grandparents presents with brown paper that had my kids hand prints all over in Christmas colours. It was a great personal touch.
For me it was never about the number but the space that things can fit in comfortably. Like I limited all 7 kids memories one tote. Paper/art for each child can only fit in a folder and favorite items or special pictures can fit in there. If it gets too full then something has to go. This has been THE go to thought in my Minimalism journey. I remember having a *ton* of games for the kids and when we had to move (before minimalism) I put a limit of only one box that the games could fit in for me to bring with us. That truly started it for me -seeing the excess that didn't fit in any aspect of our lives. As for baby memories my biological mother saved me a baby book and hospital bracelet. I'm happy about that. My mom saved me a letter I wrote to her and that is all I need. I am not a sentimental person though so that may explain that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and this process with us :)
So I’m not the only one who has found a box of items to declutter that, instead of being donated, ended up on the moving truck (along with a bag of items to be shredded) 🙄😳😬🙄 Loved watching the decision making process on the shadow boxes. As much as it a good idea, in your minimalish journey, you have discovered who you really are and what works best for the newer you! (It’s been wonderful watching you grow!!!) As for pictures and wall art...my walls are still bare too (moved in October) because I have to hang the curtains first to know how much wall space I have left...and then decide what goes where...and the saga continues...🙄🙄
I got two reclaimed wood wall hangings from Etsy, they have like 5 rows and you just slide photos in and out so easy! No glass over top no backing to take off to switch them out etc. Every few months I use a super cheap photo printing app on my phone called FreePrints and switch them out no fuss. Maybe try something like that!
I love watching your videos, whether they are unboxing videos, organizing, cleaning. whatever you are inclined to make because for me at least I get feel connected. you are telling it like it is, in real time and making real decisions as you go. I have taken some of your minimalish ideas and tried them out in my life and so far a big thumbs up, it has worked perfectly. I have to go slowly as my hubby is the keeper of the family and I do keep some things, (jigsaw puzzles mainly and some art and crafts) but I can't unclutter too fast otherwise he will notice the sudden change. I make subtle changes which mainly go un noticed by him but make me feel great. Keep making videos.
Loved your out-loud thought process about the baby stuff shadow boxes. That is soo interesting to see and inspiring to do the same thing with my stuff.
I mean even the baby hat/onesie etc from when they came home from the hospital- that's going to be far more significant to you than the kids. My mom dumped my infant stuff on me and I donated all of it except for the bracelet which I stuck in a pocket in my childhood photo album.
Aww...Erica, when you showed the fall picture of the tree-lined lane it reminded me of the walks you and the kids took at the park at the last place you lived. It's not exact but sure does bring those memories to my mind.
Wooo! You are far more patient than I with your unpacking! We relocated 600 miles to another state on Friday. I had everything unpacked, organized (and four more loads to a local donation center on top of the easily 60% reduction before move) by Monday. God Bless your patience! I couldn’t do it, it would drive me mad.
I made hampers this year using Amazon boxes and the packing paper that came with them! I gave my children their memory boxes when they moved out forever! They had less value on them than I thought they would. They paired it down to one or two pieces each! I guess we all have our levels of keepsakes! 😀 I took most of my photographs off the walls as I got fed up of cleaning them. I put all the photos into project folders. Love your humour. 😉
I think you switching your mindset from the shadowboxes to just a keepsake box overall is really great! To be honest, if we think of our children 30 years from now... are they really going to hang a shadowbox of an outfit/baby stuff up in their house (and where in their house)? The shadowbox is really limiting, but the keepsake box can be added to over time as well as then once the children are grown... THEY can decide what they want to do with the items or how they want to incorporate/display them into their home!
I made a shadowbox and it's been on a shelf in the laundry room since we moved in over a year ago. My son is almost five and now I think it's weird to hang on the wall. You made the right choice! Now I'm going to take everything out of my shadowbox and put it in a small keepsake box hahaha
Have the kids pick a box (we just used decorative ones from Michael’s/TJMaxx/Joanne’s), dump all of the sentimental stuff in and you are done. My kids love going through their “remembery” boxes and they learn what it all is (first outfit, card from a sibling, etc). As they have gotten older, they have chosen to thin out some of what stays in there. I throw in special notes from friends, family, teachers, cards, special (small!) toys. It’s the one thing I did consistently for all four of them that has definitely kept some the sentimental items organized.
I love how the handmedown was put in a display frame as a remembrance...an item that needs an explanation of who owned the item and when they owned it. ..a photo of the person perhaps. Well done Erica ! Then the framed item can be put on display later to be passed to future family members. Shadow boxes of remembrance items are also appreciated.
I used to think I’d frame all sorts of things but hardly ever did. Frames got dusty, looked cluttered, took too long to get to, etc. Photos go out of date so quickly. Bare wall space is more calming. A yearly professional family photo might be the way to go. Thanks Erica. 💐
I made keep sake boxes for my great nephew and nieces. I took care of the three older girls for a long time. I took lots of photos and got them printed out and mixed the photos up. Hopefully all of them will get pictures of the other ones. I put something my Mom made before she passed away. I hope they love it. Great video thank you.
Motivate yourself by hanging up the frames on your wall empty and over time you will get sick of seeing it empty and fill them :) That way you keep only what you need and declutter the rest if you dont have enough wall space for them all....its really easy to say you need them if all your wall look blank
Great job thinking through the shadow boxes! Also I love Buy Nothing! I just gave away a bunch of stuff including a disk rack, Christmas decor, old bi-fold doors, expired pain meds, and tin foil.
Erica.. I so empathize with you... I alway used to make scrapbook/photo albums and photos in frames... But when starting my decluttering/minimalism journey in Jan 17.. I realized I just don't have time for that sort of thing during my present life phase with kids... So I took the option of eg the "do it on a dime" you tuber.. And bought plastic hang-file boxes... And have 2 boxes with 1 hang-file per school year for my kids from 0 to 20yrs... Now I have sorted selected loose photos, crafts, school reports etc into those year-file boxes. In addition I have 1 small plastic box per kid for "lumpy" memorabilia eg first clothes from hospital, christening candle, crafts or sentimentals they want to keep etc.. It has made life so easy and I no longer have memorabilia clutter all over the place in boxes or bags waiting to put in albums😊😊😊.. Anything that comes in the house.. Goes in my in-post file... Then every month I sort it into the memorabilia boxes... It is such a relief 😊😊.. Next year I want to tackle digital clutter.. First photos... And make digital year albums for each of the kids which can then be put into the memorabilia boxes for them to take when they leave home. If I every have time, energy and/or the inclination to make scrapbook/photo albums... Then at least everything is organized in year files😊😊... But to be honest I probably won't... I think the kids can go through their 2 boxes each when they are older and decide what and how they want to keep their memorabilia😊.
love the fantasy self vs the real life self discussion... that nailed my decluttering difficulty. thanks for the courage to face that when I'm holding an "am I gonna do this project" item
I haven’t really moved but it has to be over whelming. If you haven’t used it in the last few years good to get rid of. I love your videos on your journey of decluttering. I am trying to declutter things slowly.
I say hang the frames on the wall now and then you'll be motivated to update the pictures. If you leave them sit in your basement, it's out of sight out of mind and you will never have the motivation to do the project. It'll also help you decide how many of those frames you actually want /need to keep. Also, for the baby items, I say go for keepsake boxes, one per kid. You'll be able to store a few more things than you would in a Shadowbox, but the size of box you get limits how much can actually be saved (a win-win)!
I lean towards not doing the shadow boxes. My mom gave me an enormous tote of my baby clothes from the 1980's...nothing I wanted my kids to wear or felt like saving. I have a zipper storage bag for each kid that has a couple special outfits and anything else they feel like saving.
I appreciate hearing you think out loud about decisions - like the shadow boxes. I need to have more conversations like this with myself!
The perfect number of framed pictures is the number that is on your walls. If it's being stored you have gone over your perfect number.
I don't want to confuse anyone but I change them out every once in a while.😊😉Bit of storage becomes needed then.
@@A.Rose.G good point, yes I have few seasonal ones too. I guess if it's stored but gets used it doesn't count lol. Everytime I move I keep extras until I'm totally done decorating and am sure it won't go in that house.
@@poodlegirl55 Smart! I am never really done decorating.🤣 Hence, the need for storage. It is definitely a bit more complicated. I cannot help myself. I get inspired!😀💖💕
That's great advice! I want to add, ask yourself, "Do I want to keep up with this?" There have been countless times I have kept something because it did spark joy or make me happy to look at; but when it came down to hanging it up or cleaning it, I realized, it wasn't worth my time or energy to keep up with. The things I do keep up with, however, I know I treasure because of my willingness to actually dust it.
@@A.Rose.G But I bet you know where it is and what you have. I have one closet my husband calls "Home Decorators Outlet" and I keep it to that. We have no basement in this house and I keep nothing in the garage but my car. Downsizing from 2400 sq ft to 1600 in retirement cause me to set limits.
Would love to see you “zone” what’s left in your basement - beer stuff on the shelves, donate pile, Christmas bin area, other holiday area, boxes still to go through, Andy desk area....love these videos! Thanks for sharing
That would for sure be very satisfying to watch!!!
THAT is genius. I will do that next!
“Am I really going to do it?” is a GREAT question to ask! I have soooo many things I meant to do but never did. Buh-bye! 👋
Erica I wanted to give some perspective on saving kids baby things for later to give to them. My mom did this for me but the issue is, even after having my own kids, the items are meaningless to me. I have no memories of that that time. TBH that box felt like a burden to me, I didn’t want to hurt my moms feelings but why did I want an old baby blanket or a raggedy toy I can’t ever remember playing with?
For the longest time I told my mom to keep the box until we just ended up using the items for my own kids. Which seemed like a good idea, but after 25 years the clothing fabric was a bad texture and the toys broke really quickly. Basically none of it was useful.
It’s okay that some things had meaning at the time and they no longer do now. It’s okay to let go of them when they do.
I’ve started to become much more selective on what I save for the sake of “memories”, like baby stuff, etc. If I save too much, then none of it is special, and also I don’t want to hand big boxes of stuff on to my kids and have them feel guilt about it if those things aren’t meaningful to them. For example, my parents didn’t save any of that stuff, ie hospital outfit, bracelet, etc., and I don’t miss having it at all. I’ve also, like you with the shadow boxes, started being much more selective on keeping all those “someday” projects. If I can’t see myself doing it in a day or two, or if it’s been sitting around for months, it’s time for it to go and not be weighing me down.
I have a memory box for my son, now 18, who enjoys going through the 'old' memories that I have kept for him. There is also a letter in the box which I have written to his future self, that tells and reminds him that these are things that are and were special to 'me', and may not necessarily have the same meaning for him. Therefore, he has full permission to let go of anything and everything that doesn't resonate with him; what is one person's treasure is someone else's clutter. It releases the guilt for him.
I have saved a few things for each, and once they grow out of them, I will save a few toys for me when I become "grandma's house" someday. My mom saved some things, and they are so nostalgic for me when I see my kids playing with them at her house. I have chosen a tote, and only thing things that fit in it will be saved for that long.
And I've found what was sentimental to me, thinking my boys would enjoy some day, they really don't care about 😒 A few sentimental things is enough for me - otherwise it's packed away and I eventually have to throw it out.
My Mum recently moved and gave me things she saved as sentimental items. None of it mattered to me - the sentimental value sits with my Mum. Something to consider- are you really saving the item for yourself?
Kristen M is so right! I kept much of what you are saving for your children, boxed it up and gave it to my son (only had one). It now rests, unopened in a garage storage space in his house that is rapidly overfilling with stuff. He never found it a treasure that I kept it. What he did appreciate was what was kept of his grandfather, who he adored. Remember, your children have NO memory of that first week of life, and may likely just be "meh" about all that you saved for them. I know my mother kept an outfit, a couple of toys, a lock of my hair and a bootie for me. I had to downsize to living in an RV. They are all gone. I remember them. No one else will care.
I think the times you allow us to watch you go through the decision process is some of your most valuable content. That process, that exact time, is what exhausts me - that moment of decision - over and over again - and to see someone else going through the same thing - with your lovely sense of humour - it's just heartening and lets me know - okay everyone's got to go through the same thorn bush and sometimes it's easier than others - but we'll all get there. Eventually. 😉
We have lived in our house for 4 years and I just finally admitted to myself that I am not ever going to do a “gallery wall” so I just put up a picture ledge with 2 frames: one for each of my sons’ latest pictures. Because they are on a ledge I can lean them up either portrait or landscape each time we get new pictures without making new holes. It feels like such a relief!
Love how you talked tru your desicion and showed that to us😍💕
Have the kids decorate the paper to use for wrapping.
Is it possible that the reason you have so many framed things that don’t get put up/updated might be, not only due to moving so often, that deep down you are preferring less visual clutter and don’t actually want so many things on the wall?
Andy videobombing is hysterical. 😂
I didn’t know until I was editing. 😂
@@EricaLucasLoves I could tell! 😂
Love how Andy disappeared when the real work started (lifting the canvases from the box) 😂
Ha!
You know your old when you feel so happy to see a new declutter video.... 😄 thats me!!! 😅
Glad you realized the “fantasy you” wanted shadow boxes. But it wasn’t realistic :)
OMG! My favorite part of this video was her going through that deliberation OUT LOUD for the rest of us to follow. This is why I LOVE LOVE LOVE Erica!!!
Took some thought. I cut out about 20 minutes of me just thinking. 😂❤️
@@EricaLucasLoves OMG! I love your honesty 😆
This was my favorite part too!!!
I saved all of that stuff for my girls, when they moved away, they didn’t want any of it. It was more sentimental to me, than to them ❤️. So it’s all gone now!
The way you talk out reasons for keeping and going really help me with my process of declutter. Thanks more than you know!!!
I can’t imagine having so much stuff it takes this long to unpack.
I kept memory boxes for both my kids from when they were babies and toddlers.... that said, my 20 year old adult children have told me recently when looking through the boxes, "Why did you keep these for us as we have zero memory of these things".... :p Looking back at this situation, I was keeping it more for MY memories. I have since narrowed it down to a small fraction of what I've kept for almost 30 years. Something to think about....
My boys, now in their mid 20’s said the exact same thing!
I had to take all my decorations and pictures down from my walls because of my dad's illness. I have no time to dust or do deep cleaning for the time being. I really understand and have a new perspective on homes that have an ill member and the last option being cleaning.
To all of those who have a family member who is ill, please know that I have a great respect for you and your family and all the hard work that it implies.
I have two grown children that I saved a treasure box for throughout the years. I also did a complete baby book for both of them. When I gave them the boxes they could of honestly cared less about the stuff from their childhood. I waited until they were both married and had their own homes. I moved from 2300 sq ft home with a 2 car garage and an attic into an 1100 sq ft condo. I just didn’t have the space to hold onto the stuff anymore. Both of my children are just as minimal as I am so I believe that could of been part of the reason they were not impressed with the treasure boxes. Just be careful what you decide to hold onto throughout the years. They did keep them but I told them to go through them and only keep the stuff if they really wanted too. FYI... These boxes were not large at all.
That's hilarious that you found the shadow boxes. I did the exact same thing. My son is 15 and finally he just used the shadow box for all his robotics club buttons and trophies. Now at least it's being used and loved!
Doing the memory boxes rather than the shadow boxes is a good plan! If you don't get those things on the wall right away, the kids will get past the time of enjoying them. But the memory box can be enjoyed their whole lives! I loved watching you talk yourself through the process! You are one of my favorite channels because you are so REAL!
I love that you includes though process in decision making! I love to hear why people want to hold on to certain things and why they let go, it helps me do the same if I ever find myself stuck on a specific item. It often is around an ideal or future self which I find interesting. Also I don't know if this would be helpful or the kind of thing that suits your family but you can buy "smart" photo frames now, that let you upload your digital photos and they rotate between them. You can even allow other family member that may live far away to contribute via cloud as a way to stay in touch if that's something that helps feel connected. I haven't tried any of this myself but i've heard good things and obviously you are always so busy. Changing up picture is a big task for a full gallery wall.
We found that we were keeping photos/frames because we wanted to keep the photos but never actually put them up in homes. This last move (we are military) we went through all of the photos frames and "art". I donated most. Removed photos and put them in keep sakes. Donated frames! Our collection is so much smaller and more manageable now.
What goodies are you unpacking & decluttering today?!!!
My mum made me a memory box that got added to throughout my childhood, so I definitely recommend having a memory box of sentimental items for your kids! It's nice to look through it once in a while. And because I've done a lot of travelling even since I was little, I saved all the little tickets to concerts, trains, planes, museums and made a collage in a big frame which I have up on the wall, it looks good and it saves from having a pile of sentimental small papers.
I remember in elementary school we sponge painted Christmas shapes on paper to make wrapping paper. I am going to have my son paint some packing paper this year to wrap gifts.
What a wonderful idea! Love that!🎄
I remember doing that and with cut-out raw potatoes dipped into paint.
Not doing all the sentimental things doesn't make you less caring or less loving. I'm not much of a sentimental person, and for so many years I felt kind of guilty about it. But you know what? most of those things that mean something to me, don't mean much to another person. Letting go of the expectations I put on myself is so freeing.
You have been very persistent in the basement! Nice work!
Something I always remind myself: just because I like something doesn’t mean I need to keep it. And then challenge myself, how would I feel if I got rid of this? And if I wouldn’t care, goodbye!! I lean toward pushing myself to let go, because in the end my personal goal is MUCH LESS STUFF :)
I just did the same thing with my shadow boxes! I have several beautiful boxes that live in the top shelf of the closet that the keepsakes go in. I also keep a smaller storage box in my office for "memory" items as a place to collect new things throughout the year. Early in the new year, I take a stroll through memory lane by going through the permanent memory boxes to make room for the new memorabilia from the temporary box. I love this because I actually look at everything and enjoy it, and can almost always purge some things that I can't even remember why it was so important to me (ex. 20 extra wedding invitations that were never mailed :P).
When I decluttered, I have one drawer I dedicated with baby things from my daughter, I only had one daughter , I have her baby quilt, her first pair of shoes, her hand print from pre K... and a few other things..
I was ruthless when I decluttered. I never looked back, it just gets so easy the longer you are minimal or minimalish, going on 5 years for me now.
It helps me a lot to know I am not the only person who purchases things for projects that I haven't completed--or even started--and will not get to in the next year or two, if at all. When I see your project purchases, I never feel judgemental about them. I am now seeing that I don't need to feel bad about myself for my own. They were just decisions I made at the time and now I am choosing something different. Thank you for sharing your journey!!
A few years ago, when hubby and I repainted a room we realized that there were A LOT of framed pictures on a set of shelves that were being taken out of the room. Took pics out of the frames, kept the few frames we still liked (inserted newer pics), and put the pics that were removed into a scrapbook album adding the story of when, where and what was going on when the photo was taken.
Yes what you were talking about with the shadow boxes was your fantasy self. You should do a video talking about it. It's very insightful and not everyone knows what it is.
The shadow boxes may be a nice Christmas gift for the right person 💞 You may even pair it with some supplies to create with for a crafty friend or relative.
Good choice on the shadow boxes. My kids are 28, 43 and 46. They would never have wanted those and when they got their own houses they wanted none of the keepsakes that I thought they would. I moved all of that stuff 14 times until it finally moved to Salvation Army. If I could have a do over our moves would have been so much simpler.
I so enjoy watching you go through the decision-making process. I've found that those sorts of things come back to me in my own process. I moved from one apartment to another a week ago, after many delays, and a ten-minute warning that the movers were there 4 and 1/2 hours earlier than planned. Theoretically I'll be moving back into a renovated apartment in 6 weeks. Watching Dana (A Slob Comes Clean), Dawn, and then you has helped me so much in packing and prioritizing, so my kitchen is very minimal and functioning. Unfortunately I missed a deadline on Medicare assistance registration because of overwhelm due to moving. I'm still panicking and condemning myself for that. I knew I needed help with that, but that doesn't mean the kind of help I needed was available when I needed it.
I was rooting for you to let go of the shadow boxes, although they are something I wanted and couldn't afford when my oldests were tiny. They would have become expensive clutter for me, and I like change. I didn't know that about myself then.
Going through the first drawer of two chests I stuffed full of random unpacked stuff at the last minute, deciding what to keep and where to keep/pack it, I keep hearing you ladies' voices going off in my head, and it helps a lot. Four days ago I threw out my 1977 orange, ring-binder Betty Crocker Cookbook. It was heavy and faded and grimy with a duct-taped spine, and I never use it anymore, except maybe once a year to look up how long to cook a roast or a steak, or how to cook a vegetable like asparagus. It was still emotionally hard. We used those cookie recipes at Christmas when my kids were young. Some of them used to pour over the colored pictures, especially of the gingerbread cookies (one thought they were puppets). They're all in their thirties now, living states away, and I'm allergic to wheat. I'd had to put in my own dividers, as this edition didn't have them. I bought it at the now empty Kmart store in Rapid City when I was going into my first apartment in 1977. My mother had the red Betty Crocker Cookbook from the 1950s, and I believed every kitchen absolutely needed one. In other words, I had years and tons of emotional attachment, if not use. Thanks to you three, and Marie Kondo, I was able to say "Thank you for your service," and let it go. I need the space more than the book now.
Loved watching you process. I am not a shadow box person. Give the kids a memory box and a thumb drive with - or a link to -their pics when they leave home. 😊
My friend and I call them blessing boxes!
Yay! Andy in the video! He’s hilarious. Love how you talk through your thoughts on figuring out what to do. 💗
YYEESS!!! For all of the up cycling - I love seeing all of your progress
I think the fact that you put together those beautiful boxes for each child with their keepsakes is perfect. And the way you talked yourself in to understanding the kids things/family pictures is awesome
Having the baby keepsakes in a nice box keeps them special. Hung on the wall, they can become visual wallpaper for the kids, and not special anymore.
Set up a table (or even a board on top of some tubs) in the basement with a project,ie,changing out picture frames.Then pile them with a descriptive piece of paper on top like “to hang” ,”to change out” etc. Plan for it in your calendar to do list
Also,my three favorite sayings are, “clutter is usually delayed decisions” and “don’t put it down,put it away” and “don’t touch it more than once”. After watching some of your unboxing videos,I understand why it still looks wild and overwhelming 🤨 The next time you see those big wads of paper that you threw on the floor,you will have to pick them up,one by one and open them to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Twice the work!Also,because you have so many categories to sort into,it honestly would be easier to set up zones around the basement with paper signs taped to the wall like “donate”, “sell”, “Andy’s to box up”,etc.,etc.etc.Let the kids watch movies and treats and you two spend the weekend unboxing and sorting EVERYTHING. Once it has all been put “like with like” ( another organization cornerstone)😁. It will go soooooooo much quicker to take care of each pile,one at a time and more importantly,once and for all.🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻. Believe me,I speak from experience and finally success 🥰
You can do a really fun craft with your kids and that paper! Get gold and silver paint and red green and white paint and sponges and let your kids decorate the new Christmas paper! I did that with my kids one year and they loved it! And they loved that we wrapped gifts in the paper they made! Plus it keeps them busy for a good long time😊 I I love your channel!! I just recently started a channel and I’m having fun with it, during these times we need to stay positive and creative, you are doing both and an amazing job at it!!😊❤️
Your craft paper gift wrap brought back a VERY old memory...I was a preschooler at the time and I’m 69 years old now. My mama used to wrap gifts in brown paper (probably cut up grocery bags). Then she would glue or tape on pictures that she had cut from old Christmas cards on for decorations. She was a thrifty lady for sure!
I had the same thing with 2 high school graduate frames for my 2 kids which I purchased when they were in Middle school. I never managed to put their HS graduation pics in- now they are 24 and 26! At least their university pics can be used... but I’ll gift to them. We downsized 3 years ago and I’m so proud to say that I continue to sort and minimize our bins as each season comes . Down to one bin for Halloween ( from 3-4). Donated lots of Xmas decorations as well. It feels good! The strategy of letting go of several items if/when I bring something in is SO valuable. Keep up the great work Erica❤️🇨🇦
Right now I'm decluttering household items like curtains and dinnerware which still are in good, useable condition but no longer needed here. Some of the things I give away for free while others I trade in for chocolate or other candy. It's win-win: People get gently used things and I get more free space and some candy. Everybody's happy :)
We used that craft paper to wrap in one year and we all sat around (there are 6 of us - we have four boys) with makers , crayons, stickers, stamps...had Christmas music going ... and everyone decorated the boxes...we had so much fun! Oh, and don't forget the hot chocolate!
Also, some one might be able to use the packing paper too. I have a Poshmark closet and use it often. You can probably list that for free too if you haven't been. :)
This sounds so much fun! What a great Xmas family activity and your getting your wrapping done at the same time! Win Win!!!
Craftpaper is the best for wrapping : ) and your fall painting is really nice...
All those photos and frames. Ypu could put them in one bin and decide that you are going to take care of them in january or february. Set a date, put it in your calender and look forward to do it : ) .
I am definitely a shadow-box person and was going to comment that I'd really enjoy a video of you putting together the kids shadow boxes, but seeing you work through to come to the conclusion that memory boxes suit you best just made so much sense. I'm glad I waited to comment and see the relief in your face at not having the task hang over you, definitely the right decision for you.
Love the christmas wrap with craft paper idea. Always looks great with rustic string and little homemade tags :-)
Andy in the background 🤣💗
He kills me! 🤣
We close on our new house Monday. Currently we have been living in a two bedroom apartment with just the basics. It has been wonderful! I purged a lot when we packed to put all our things in storage. But I’ve realized that I didn’t do enough of it. So as we settle into our new house. I’m going to really evaluate what we have and pair down even more. Because living bare bones in this apartment has shown me how much less really is more.
My grandma made a shadow box for my dad and she gave it to me. It has his baby quit she made, his hospital bracelet and little toys he played with as a kid. It really special and im glad i have it
It's nice to hear you walk through that process and make your decision. Very helpful
If you don't use the paper for gifts, let your kids draw on it.
Let them draw and then wrap with it. Especially for grandparents!
Great ideas!
Use holiday cookie cutters to do some stamps before using it to wrap presents.
I love all the little tips you sprinkle through your videos. Wise woman you are. 😊
Love your Unboxing Videos! Its interesting to see ALL the things you have saved for years! ❤
Or the fact that she’s still decluttering. Even though we know that she did before she moved, but she’s still going.
FB Marketplace free cycling has been AMAZING, especially in these contactless times!
When my kids were little one Christmas I wrapped the grandparents presents with brown paper that had my kids hand prints all over in Christmas colours. It was a great personal touch.
For me it was never about the number but the space that things can fit in comfortably. Like I limited all 7 kids memories one tote. Paper/art for each child can only fit in a folder and favorite items or special pictures can fit in there. If it gets too full then something has to go. This has been THE go to thought in my Minimalism journey. I remember having a *ton* of games for the kids and when we had to move (before minimalism) I put a limit of only one box that the games could fit in for me to bring with us. That truly started it for me -seeing the excess that didn't fit in any aspect of our lives. As for baby memories my biological mother saved me a baby book and hospital bracelet. I'm happy about that. My mom saved me a letter I wrote to her and that is all I need. I am not a sentimental person though so that may explain that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and this process with us :)
That basement light is just criminal!! You deserve a new one ASAP!!
🤣🤣🤣 it is pretty hard on the eyes!!
So I’m not the only one who has found a box of items to declutter that, instead of being donated, ended up on the moving truck (along with a bag of items to be shredded) 🙄😳😬🙄 Loved watching the decision making process on the shadow boxes. As much as it a good idea, in your minimalish journey, you have discovered who you really are and what works best for the newer you! (It’s been wonderful watching you grow!!!) As for pictures and wall art...my walls are still bare too (moved in October) because I have to hang the curtains first to know how much wall space I have left...and then decide what goes where...and the saga continues...🙄🙄
I love listening to you process aloud. It actually helps me process too.
I got two reclaimed wood wall hangings from Etsy, they have like 5 rows and you just slide photos in and out so easy! No glass over top no backing to take off to switch them out etc. Every few months I use a super cheap photo printing app on my phone called FreePrints and switch them out no fuss. Maybe try something like that!
Can you put a link to the Etsy wall hangings? I’m really interested in something like that, but can’t find one. Thanks!
I love watching your videos, whether they are unboxing videos, organizing, cleaning. whatever you are inclined to make because for me at least I get feel connected. you are telling it like it is, in real time and making real decisions as you go. I have taken some of your minimalish ideas and tried them out in my life and so far a big thumbs up, it has worked perfectly. I have to go slowly as my hubby is the keeper of the family and I do keep some things, (jigsaw puzzles mainly and some art and crafts) but I can't unclutter too fast otherwise he will notice the sudden change. I make subtle changes which mainly go un noticed by him but make me feel great. Keep making videos.
Loved your out-loud thought process about the baby stuff shadow boxes. That is soo interesting to see and inspiring to do the same thing with my stuff.
I mean even the baby hat/onesie etc from when they came home from the hospital- that's going to be far more significant to you than the kids. My mom dumped my infant stuff on me and I donated all of it except for the bracelet which I stuck in a pocket in my childhood photo album.
🎶Brown paper packages tied up with string. 🎶
Aww...Erica, when you showed the fall picture of the tree-lined lane it reminded me of the walks you and the kids took at the park at the last place you lived. It's not exact but sure does bring those memories to my mind.
Wooo! You are far more patient than I with your unpacking! We relocated 600 miles to another state on Friday. I had everything unpacked, organized (and four more loads to a local donation center on top of the easily 60% reduction before move) by Monday. God Bless your patience! I couldn’t do it, it would drive me mad.
I made hampers this year using Amazon boxes and the packing paper that came with them!
I gave my children their memory boxes when they moved out forever! They had less value on them than I thought they would. They paired it down to one or two pieces each! I guess we all have our levels of keepsakes! 😀
I took most of my photographs off the walls as I got fed up of cleaning them. I put all the photos into project folders.
Love your humour. 😉
I think you switching your mindset from the shadowboxes to just a keepsake box overall is really great! To be honest, if we think of our children 30 years from now... are they really going to hang a shadowbox of an outfit/baby stuff up in their house (and where in their house)? The shadowbox is really limiting, but the keepsake box can be added to over time as well as then once the children are grown... THEY can decide what they want to do with the items or how they want to incorporate/display them into their home!
I love these videos and this one went by really quick. Wish it was longer because I love your thought processes and tips.
I made a shadowbox and it's been on a shelf in the laundry room since we moved in over a year ago. My son is almost five and now I think it's weird to hang on the wall. You made the right choice! Now I'm going to take everything out of my shadowbox and put it in a small keepsake box hahaha
Have the kids pick a box (we just used decorative ones from Michael’s/TJMaxx/Joanne’s), dump all of the sentimental stuff in and you are done. My kids love going through their “remembery” boxes and they learn what it all is (first outfit, card from a sibling, etc). As they have gotten older, they have chosen to thin out some of what stays in there. I throw in special notes from friends, family, teachers, cards, special (small!) toys. It’s the one thing I did consistently for all four of them that has definitely kept some the sentimental items organized.
That autumn painting is so darn pretty!
I love the idea of repurposing that paper for Christmas paper!!! It will be so pretty and so crafty!
I have way too many picture frames even after a purge! Andy is hilarious!
I love how the handmedown was put in a display frame as a remembrance...an item that needs an explanation of who owned the item and when they owned it. ..a photo of the person perhaps. Well done Erica ! Then the framed item can be put on display later to be passed to future family members. Shadow boxes of remembrance items are also appreciated.
The Daily Conesuir has great tutorial on wrapping with plain paper.
I love the keep sake box idea. I think shadow boxes would have a short life span on your walls.
I used to think I’d frame all sorts of things but hardly ever did. Frames got dusty, looked cluttered, took too long to get to, etc. Photos go out of date so quickly. Bare wall space is more calming. A yearly professional family photo might be the way to go. Thanks Erica. 💐
I made keep sake boxes for my great nephew and nieces. I took care of the three older girls for a long time. I took lots of photos and got them printed out and mixed the photos up. Hopefully all of them will get pictures of the other ones. I put something my Mom made before she passed away. I hope they love it. Great video thank you.
Love the keepsake boxes idea too !
Motivate yourself by hanging up the frames on your wall empty and over time you will get sick of seeing it empty and fill them :) That way you keep only what you need and declutter the rest if you dont have enough wall space for them all....its really easy to say you need them if all your wall look blank
I like that fall picture too.
Great job thinking through the shadow boxes!
Also I love Buy Nothing! I just gave away a bunch of stuff including a disk rack, Christmas decor, old bi-fold doors, expired pain meds, and tin foil.
Erica.. I so empathize with you... I alway used to make scrapbook/photo albums and photos in frames... But when starting my decluttering/minimalism journey in Jan 17.. I realized I just don't have time for that sort of thing during my present life phase with kids... So I took the option of eg the "do it on a dime" you tuber.. And bought plastic hang-file boxes... And have 2 boxes with 1 hang-file per school year for my kids from 0 to 20yrs... Now I have sorted selected loose photos, crafts, school reports etc into those year-file boxes. In addition I have 1 small plastic box per kid for "lumpy" memorabilia eg first clothes from hospital, christening candle, crafts or sentimentals they want to keep etc.. It has made life so easy and I no longer have memorabilia clutter all over the place in boxes or bags waiting to put in albums😊😊😊.. Anything that comes in the house.. Goes in my in-post file... Then every month I sort it into the memorabilia boxes... It is such a relief 😊😊..
Next year I want to tackle digital clutter.. First photos... And make digital year albums for each of the kids which can then be put into the memorabilia boxes for them to take when they leave home.
If I every have time, energy and/or the inclination to make scrapbook/photo albums... Then at least everything is organized in year files😊😊... But to be honest I probably won't... I think the kids can go through their 2 boxes each when they are older and decide what and how they want to keep their memorabilia😊.
I loved your thought process and conclusion on the shadow boxes!
love the fantasy self vs the real life self discussion... that nailed my decluttering difficulty. thanks for the courage to face that when I'm holding an "am I gonna do this project" item
I really do look forward to your videos - thank you for all the inspo Erica!!!
I haven’t really moved but it has to be over whelming. If you haven’t used it in the last few years good to get rid of. I love your videos on your journey of decluttering. I am trying to declutter things slowly.
You look really good Erica! Keep doing amazing.
Love seeing that decision making process about how to save the kid stuff
I love to watch your thought processes... thank you for being you & loved Andy’s behind-the-scenes wave, lol! Y’all are so fun! 😎
I say hang the frames on the wall now and then you'll be motivated to update the pictures. If you leave them sit in your basement, it's out of sight out of mind and you will never have the motivation to do the project. It'll also help you decide how many of those frames you actually want /need to keep.
Also, for the baby items, I say go for keepsake boxes, one per kid. You'll be able to store a few more things than you would in a Shadowbox, but the size of box you get limits how much can actually be saved (a win-win)!
Cool ! I was a nanny in Philadelphia. Loved it there !
I lean towards not doing the shadow boxes. My mom gave me an enormous tote of my baby clothes from the 1980's...nothing I wanted my kids to wear or felt like saving. I have a zipper storage bag for each kid that has a couple special outfits and anything else they feel like saving.
Get your kids to doodle all over that christmas wrapping paper to family. Fun craft and decoration for reuse!