Scrapbooking is a wonderful pastime, and I enjoyed it for many years. The problem is that by its very nature it causes an enormous amount of clutter. Supply clutter, tool clutter, souvenir clutter, photo clutter not to mention time clutter. I have rarely met a scrapbooker who can keep up to date with all the happenings in life that they wish to record thereby causing a backlog of all of the above mentioned items.

Remember earlier this week, on day 272, I decluttered an old Rick Steves’ travel guide that had been languishing in my bedside cupboard for three years. Close by that guide was also a zip lock baggy full of all the maps, tickets and brochures from that same trip. These items are the subject of today’s post.

As I said I used to be a scrapbooker. Along with the supplies, that I now don’t use regularly, which hold their own element of spending guilt, are the souvenirs that were so lovingly collected and hold far more sentimental attachment than the supplies. Even though I am fairly sure I am never going to return to the hobby, I clung on to these items for years, “just in case”. Well, now is the time to be realistic. I am at a very different stage in my life now and even though it is nice to look back on the scrapbooks I did make I am never going to get around to making any more. Even if I do there will be plenty of new memories that I will be able to document and it would be a mammoth task trying to catch up on the past.

This souvenir collecting has not only cluttered up my home for years, it also cluttered up my suitcase during the collecting in the first place. It was so nice on my recent vacation not to be weighed down with this kind of clutter. Therefore I am ready to part with the items in this zip lock bag and then next week I will start on the storage bin that holds items from other vacations, events and occasions that have likely been lingering even longer than these.

ITEM 275 OF 365 LESS THINGS

The items from the zip lock bag

5 things I am grateful for today

1. The off switch on the television – it is very had to concentrate on writing my blog with that thing blaring.
2. Not having to go out today – sometimes it is nice to stay in and veg out.
3. My husband is home again.
4. That freeing feeling – of purging clutter and the heavy ties it has on your soil.
5. A cozy knee rug on a cool day – spring isn’t sprung altogether.

My favourit five comments for the week

Loretta on Day 269 – I’m afraid to admit, that I have been one of those tragic overseas travellers… Read More
Annabelle on Day 269 – This afternoon we went to a neighborhood flee market. There was so much JUNK! Read More
Hopeinbrazil on Day 268 – Two years ago we had to leave Brazil in a hurry (serious health issues…  Read More
Kate on Day 271 – … I waffled for years about whether to take my youngest son to be “diagnosed”, but ultimately decided to give him time and space… Read More
TheSimplepoppy on Day 273 – I just this week gave away some pillow covers in a revolting orange/brown pattern…Read More

Five post I read this week that I wanted to share with you

Becoming Minimalist – Adam Baker on the- importance of selling your crap
Minimalist Woman – Change of seasons (I thought that this post was written with such sensitivity  that I felt sure that the transition would go as smoothly as possible just because of the calming vibe Meg brings the situation. Her parents are lucky to have her calming presence there for them at this difficult time.)
Becoming Minimalist (Again) – How to simplify your stuff and honor your memories
Find me in France – for anyone going through a mid-life crisis career wise you really should read this whole blog. I am only half way through but am having a blast reading it. It is so close to home as the saying goes. Here are links to the About Page and the First Post (Grace)
Zero Waste – Who wants more for their money?

ITEM 274 OF 365 LESS THINGS

This one of the items mentioned in yesterday’s post.

5 THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR TODAY

1. Friendly people – like the lady who when I asked if I could take photos of the flowers in her driveway she cut a bunch for me and insisted I take some of the bulbs so I could grow them in my own garden.
2. Telephones – so my husband and I can stay in touch when he is out of town.
3. Chocolate – enough said
4. Vision – I had such a lovely time on my walk today taking photos of the lovely flowers. I can’t imagine what it must be like to loose my vision and not be able to enjoy the beauty of nature.
5. 24 hours in a day – sometimes you need every one of them.