Years ago, when our children were young, I had a problem. They would bring home tons of papers and art projects from school–and do a LOT of coloring and painting around the kitchen table–but they didn’t want me to throw anything away.
Sometimes I’d also find random papers or items in the kitchen that weren’t mine–but were somehow left out for me to manage–and I felt like I couldn’t keep the counters clear whether I liked it or not.
Then the idea came to create a “Sneaky Sorter.”
Essentially, it’s part “Incubation” and part “On-the-Way-to-Long-Term-
The quick instructions are that you get two baskets, and you keep them in a nearby cupboard, shelf, etc. We kept ours above the dryer in our little laundry area. One basket was “Incubation,” or things that we were probably going to throw away in a few weeks or months when no one was looking and when we knew no one would miss them. The other basket was “On-the-Way-to-Long-Term-
Here are a few photos from back in the day!
Hope this is helpful for you and your family!
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Hi April!
Just a suggestion for the safety of any items deemed worthy of keeping long-term, including memory boxes. Storing in a sturdy, waterproof (preferably clear to monitor the fullness) provides protection from flooding, and smoke damage. [Ask me how I know]. I was grateful in both instances that my children’s chosen memories and some I included as well we’re saved because of this. Cardboard seems like a great choice, until it isn’t.
Be safe, be happy and be well. 😊
Lorri
Sorry it should have specified container/bin. Oops
Thank you SO much for this tip. I want to change out all our precious memory boxes for plastic after reading this…. It’s so true that we never expect disaster, but we want to be ready. Thanks again!!
It was so helpful to hear the perspective of a child-now-adult who grew up with this process in place! It relieved an anxiety I didn’t realize I had to hear how you (Alia) grew into an adult that wasn’t desperately attached to physical things.
I grew up in a house where sentimental clutter accumulated into chaotic piles and I am still trying to unlearn and unpack that (literally and figuratively!) For some reason art is a special trigger where I know I can’t keep it all but I want the kids to be able to look back and remember, feel proud, see how they grew… Or *I* want that 😉
It was helpful to hear how this felt as a kid, thanks for sharing!
So happy to hear that this podcast was helpful, Natalie! I am really grateful for the systems we had in place for all of the sentimental items while growing up, and those practices have been even more valuable when it comes to being an adult and moving apartments and creating a home for our future family. ❤️