How to Manage Childhood Memorabilia When Moving to a New Home

When Kyle Mackie and her fiancé bought their first home, she made the decision to bring along some memorabilia from her childhood, which had been stored at her parents’ house. The question was, which items should she choose to bring?

As first-time homeowners, both Mackie and her parents were thrilled. It also provided Mackie the opportunity to move her childhood belongings out of her parents’ home. To tackle this, she traveled back to upstate New York, where she grew up, to sift through her life’s collection. Her trove of artifacts included illustrated stories from elementary school, T-shirts from high school soccer days, a hammock from a music festival during college, and other keepsakes. Living in Idaho now, she knew she couldn’t take everything along. At 33, it was time to declutter. Mackie and her mom started the sorting process.

Emotional Journey

What began as an easy and even cathartic task gradually evolved into an emotional one. They initially adopted a ‘discard most things’ approach. However, as the rooms emptied, Mackie felt emotional, realizing her time in the family home had passed. She considered if there was a better method to approach this task.

“Honor your emotions,” advised Lisa Woodruff, a professional organizer working toward a PhD in general psychology.

According to Woodruff, parting with childhood memorabilia often marks a significant transition. It symbolizes moving from emerging adulthood into full adulthood. This experience can evoke emotions of regret or sorrow, as David Newman, an assistant research scientist at Baylor University, explains. A handwritten note from Mackie’s grandfather, who passed away over a decade ago, reminded Mackie of his loving nature, resonating with her deeply.

Strategic Storage

Determining storage space is crucial. Professional organizer Amelia Pleasant Kennedy suggests defining the amount of storage you’re willing to dedicate to childhood memorabilia before sorting begins. For Mackie, this meant acknowledging limited shelf space in her new garage. Her mantra became keeping as little as possible, guided by sentimentality. Kennedy advises aiming for a box or bin per chapter of life, such as one for elementary school, another for high school, and one for college.

Mackie preferred sorting by category, preserving books from her childhood, a bin full of photo albums, mementos from studying abroad, and a few items for her future child.

Sharing and Letting Go

Having someone trusted by your side can assist during the sorting process. They can aid in honoring memories associated with objects and releasing them when necessary. Pleasant Kennedy has helped clients, like those sorting through their childhood mementos or career-related keepsakes, by discussing the significance of each piece.

A loved one may also help decide what to keep. Mackie’s mother suggested keeping her Rotary Youth Exchange Student blazer, filled with pins from her international travels. Sharing with friends added to the enjoyment of this process, as Mackie sent pictures to childhood friends, sparking laughter and revisiting old jokes.

Reviving Memorabilia

Woodruff and Kennedy encourage thinking creatively about keepsakes, instead of relegating them to storage. Taking photos of items like journal entries or yearbooks saves space while preserving memories.

• Create art projects, such as quilts made from old T-shirts or scrapbooks from holiday cards.
• Display memorabilia like stage costumes in shadow boxes.
• Use items when possible for leisure or exercise.
• Donate pieces still in good condition to let others enjoy them.

Letting go of possessions reflecting childhood interests, like Mackie’s elephant-themed artwork, acknowledges change while valuing past memories.

Preserving Connections

As you sort through old belongings, Woodruff reminds that possessing these items reflects someone’s love and care in preserving them. It’s a representation of the time, effort, and emotional investment from loved ones.

Mackie and her fiancé decided to display a childhood photo album prominently. This collection of memories, from birthday celebrations to family vacations, forged a connection with her past, even thousands of miles away from her hometown.

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