Here's just a partial list of what's been exposed to the light of day. Each scrap of paper requiring me to make a decision. Keep or toss? Shred or recycle?Where to keep?
- court filings for my Mom's, my grandpa's, my uncle's estate
- semester grade reports from community college
- multiple copies of official transcripts from colleges along with the unofficial transcripts
- copies of applications to colleges, teaching program, graduation
- "correspondence" including letters (some with photos still tucked inside!), thank you cards, birthday cards, good-bye cards, notes from children. including from people I've lost touch with many years ago, dead people, people I can't read their writing, people I don't remember. Some tugged on my heart strings.
- interview questions and my answers
- info on house projects including the plans, the revisions, the possible bids that weren't chosen, installation guides, receipts, paint chips, marked up drawings, lists, schedules, permits, and more
- notes from jobs I worked last year, 10 years ago, 25 years ago.
- maps, receipts, menus, and brochures from trips we've taken, some even 20 years ago
I've already tossed at least four grocery bags full of paper. Still have 3 file drawers full of stuff.
What do you do with this overwhelming detritus? I know no one will look at it after I've dead. Heck, I bet I'll never have a reason to look at 99.9% of these files again.
Why do I keep it?
- Just in Case. "Historical" value - What does that even mean? A stroll down memory lane? Evidence for selling the house?
- Can't let go of my hard work and effort and time on some past project or achievement. This file is the last proof of my achievement.
- Someone gave me this...I can't be cruel-hearted and toss it.
