“Spring cleaning, decluttering, moving house — all these events often lead to a good old fashioned purge of our possessions. In the heat of the moment, we may find ourselves throwing away items that, in hindsight, were actually worth keeping. Whether it’s something of sentimental value or a practical item that we later find ourselves needing, regret over what we’ve discarded is a common experience. This blog post will explore 12 things I wish I’d never thrown away, with the hope of inspiring you to think twice before you next decide to ‘declutter’.
1. Old Photos
Old photos can sometimes feel like they’re taking up unnecessary space. But once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. These visual records of our past can be invaluable, offering a tangible link to our history and memories that can’t be replicated. If you don’t have the space for physical photos, consider digitizing them before throwing them away. That way, you can keep the memories without the clutter.
2. Childhood Toys
Childhood toys are often the first victims of a decluttering frenzy. While it’s not practical to keep every toy from your youth, certain items can hold significant sentimental value. Plus, vintage toys can sometimes be worth a surprising amount of money. Before tossing old toys, consider their emotional worth and check if they might be collectibles.
3. Old Recipe Books
It’s easy to think that with the internet, we don’t need physical cookbooks anymore. However, there’s something special about a well-loved recipe book passed down through generations. These books can hold more than just recipes; they’re often filled with notes, adaptations and memories. If you’re running out of space, try scanning the important pages instead of throwing the entire book away.
4. Letters & Cards
With most communication happening digitally these days, physical letters and cards have become a rarity. These pieces of correspondence are snapshots of a moment in time and can hold a lot of emotional value. They’re also a tangible reminder of the person who sent them. Before discarding old letters, consider storing them in a small keepsake box.
5. Old Journals
Old journals are a record of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at a certain point in time. It’s easy to discard these as embarrassing relics of our past, but they can be a valuable tool for self-reflection and growth. Consider keeping your old journals as a testament to your personal journey.
6. Childhood Artwork
As with toys, it’s not realistic to keep every single piece of childhood artwork. However, some pieces can hold great sentimental value, both for you and for your parents or children. Consider keeping a few key pieces that represent important milestones or particularly happy memories.
7. Vinyl Records
With the rise of digital music, many of us have thrown away our old vinyl records. However, there’s a growing appreciation for vinyl’s unique sound quality. Some records can also be worth a lot of money, so it’s worth doing some research before you decide to get rid of them.
8. Old Fashioned Items
It’s easy to discard items that seem outdated or old-fashioned. However, trends often come full circle, and what seems out of date one day might be in vogue the next. Plus, vintage items often have a quality and charm that contemporary pieces can’t replicate.
9. Heirlooms
Family heirlooms can sometimes feel like a burden rather than a blessing. But these items have a history and a story that’s worth preserving. Before getting rid of an heirloom, consider its historical and emotional value.
10. Old Tools
Old tools might seem useless, especially if they’re a bit rusty or worn. However, many old tools were built to last and can still do the job just as well, if not better, than their modern counterparts. Plus, tools can be cleaned and restored with a little bit of effort.
11. First Edition Books
First edition books can hold both sentimental and financial value. If you’re a book lover, throwing away a first edition can feel like a great loss. And if you’re lucky enough to have a rare first edition, it could be worth quite a bit of money.
12. Handwritten Notes
Like letters and cards, handwritten notes have become a rarity in our digital age. These notes can hold a lot of sentimental value, especially if they’re from someone important to you. Consider keeping these notes in a special place, rather than throwing them away.
In conclusion, it’s important to think carefully before throwing away items of potential sentimental or financial value. Remember: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!”
