How do you determine the difference between sentimental keepsake and items to give or throw away?

I search my memory and my heart for the answer. When they are sitting in front of me which ones do I reach for because they have the best memories associated with them? Which ones I barely remember why I still have it, but I feel like I had a reason to keep it?

Then I turn my back on all of them after thinking it through and put them out of sight out of mind for a day or two. Which items did I miss seeing or using? Which items are just locked in a closet anyways?

How did those items impact my feelings? By the end of this process I usually know pretty strongly which items I will keep and which ones are trash. Most importantly though you have to ask the questions specific to your feelings and memories otherwise it really is not a sentimental and personal keepsake!

I use an enlightened approach, and based on your question wrote this hub: jerricousher.hubpages.com/hub/Sentiment.

If you haven't used it, looked at it, needed it or remembered it in over a year...toss it! (This does not include keepsakes from your children or family members that DO have sentimental value). But for most things in my home, I make sure that I do use them.As of late, I have been in the habit of trying to recycle objects.

If I buy one, I get rid of one that I don't use. I either donate it or sell it for someone else to enjoy. Try organizing items into categories, and then see how you can utilize it.

Ask yourself two questions. One: do I need this and will I ever use it again? Two: does mean a lot to me that I'll lose a part of my life if I let it go?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.