It can be emotional to let go of possessions that hold sentimental value or have been a part of your life for a long time. There can be a tremendous amount of emotion, ranging from shock to fear, from annoyance to dread. You may feel anger and resentment. Emotions may run high, as decisions must be made, and patience often wears thin. Creating a Legacy List can help reduce negative emotions by helping you to focus on what really matters. “You can be uncomfortable and not want to do this. That’s normal, but this needs to be done, and you can handle it.”
What is a Legacy List?
Legacy List is a process of refining and curating possessions that you treasure and bring you joy. This is NOT deciding what to donate, recycle, or discard! The focus is on selecting items that have the most value.
Objects do not hold your emotions, you do!
Objects do not hold your memories, you do!
An item on your Legacy List is something that reminds you:
- Who you are now,
- Where you have come from, and/or
- What you value in life
How do you choose items to go on a Legacy List?
Use Decision-Making Questions.
Ask yourself:
- Does this item fill my heart with, not just happiness, but joy?
- Would I still feel that joy without the physical item?
- Does this item depict my life’s greatest achievements?
- Would I still feel that pride without the physical item?
- Does this item embody my highest values in life?
- Would I still hold those values without the physical item?
- Is this item suitable for my new living space?
- Do I want to include this item as one of my 20 Legacy List items?
(If “yes”, add the item to your Legacy List.)
Why 20 Legacy List items?
Obviously, Corky is moving to a smaller apartment with less room to display items!
Why not put more than 20 items in boxes and store them in a closet?
Again, Corky is moving into a smaller apartment with one closet. Boxes will take up valuable space that will be used for clothing.
If you treasure something why put it in a closet or a box? If an item is one of your most treasured items, it is your legacy - frame it, put it on a shelf, put it where you and everyone else can see it. The focus is on honoring Corky’s legacy – not hiding it.
What about the sentimental items that are not on the Legacy List?
Use Decision-Making Questions
- Do I want to include a photograph of this item in my *Memory Album?
- Do I want to *digitize this item for storage on my computer, digital photo frame, or DVD?
- Do you want to include this item in my **archival storage box?
- Could a family member or friend benefit from this item?
- Could an organization benefit from my donation of this item?
*We will photograph items to create a Memory Album, or we will digitize items, like family VHS tapes. This will allow Corky to keep the memories and the information without taking up physical space. It also makes things easier to find.
**Corky will select his most treasured family photographs and paper ephemera. We will store these most treasured items into one 5-inch-deep, acid-free archival box. This box will fit easily into his closet. We can also photograph or digitize sentimental items that will not fit into his archival box
What about the guilt of getting rid of things from loved ones?
Guilt is not a reason to keep stuff. Your love for someone lives in your heart, not in a thing. Your heart can never be too full, but your apartment can be. The love you have for your parents or grandparents doesn’t live in inanimate objects. No one ever comes back, but memories do. Keep the memories, get rid of the guilt.
It is essential to approach life-sizing with intention and discernment. Rather than holding onto every sentimental item, we will focus on preserving 20 Legacy List items that bring Corky genuine joy and:
· Reveal who he is,
· Share where he has come from,
· And show what he values.
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