Keep the Memories not the Mess!

Spring is coming and that means Spring Cleaning!
I hate Clutter! It makes me feel yucky! I think clearer, and feel happier, in a neat and tidy space. That does not mean I have an immaculate and clutter-free home by any means, but I am trying to become more and more clutter-free every day. One thing I used to hang on to like crazy was knick-knacks, not because I really like knick-knacks, and I sure hate dusting around them, but people I love dearly, were constantly giving me them as gifts. And I couldn't seem to let go of them for fear of hurting the person who gave it to me or loosing the memory of that person if they had passed away or lived far away etc. So for years I held on to things like knick-knacks, and furniture that handed down to me from relatives, even jewelry and clothing from friends, that no longer fit or brought me joy began cluttering up my little cottage, and as a result, what people gave me to make me happy, was actually starting to make me sad, like I was drowning in a sea of junk. My home is no where near as scary as the houses on hoarders, but I was beginning to have nightmares that my house was on fire and I couldn't get out with all my kids because we were trapped by all of our junk. I do tend to be a bit dramatic sometimes, but in this case it is good, because it made me do something about it. So a few years ago I started to take a picture of it then put in a bag in my trunk and when the bag was full I'd donate it to Salvation army. It was a slow process and difficult at first, but now I don't even think twice about it. I still have the memory without the mess and the dusting ;) I do the same with my kids artwork. I simply can't keep everything, so I take pictures of Every and I mean EVERY little scribble, doodle and drawing and put it in a special file on my computer with each child's name and date. I Save the originals of my favorite art pieces and place them in a keepsake box designated for each child and I toss the rest. Just a little tip I thought might help if you are anything like me. (Overly Sentimental)
God Bless and happy Spring Cleaning to you all!