Here is an interesting article supporting the idea scientifically that people are more willing to donate items if they first take pictures of the stuff. This allows one to keep the memory “alive” while decluttering the stuff.
Declutter Your Life With This Great Science-Backed System
Who knew that documenting donations for tax purposes (in case of audit) and for a blog actually encourages donating and decluttering?!?
Decluttering the Stuff 
Thanks for posting the article. I’ve taken pictures of donated items for tax purposes for years. Two years ago, I decided to start taking pictures of items that I couldn’t bear to part with for sentimental reasons, and I found doing so did help me let go and donate those items. I have the pictures organized on an external hard drive, but I don’t really look at them much.
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But at least you have the pictures. I figure years from now I might look at them.
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I think it’s a good step to facilitate the process of “letting go”.
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but now the quandary – how to organize/declutter those pictures!
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A photo montage perhaps? Or just keep them in the folder on the computer with all the others that don’t get looked at 😉
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I always take pictures. I don’t necessarily like finding them later though. I think it’s better if I don’t remember everything I’ve gotten rid of.
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haha some things are better left unknown!!
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I think the picture part really applies to anything people are keeping for the memory or sentimental value. Example would be items bought while on a trip so you want to remember the trip but don’t really use or like the actual item anymore. Or I’ve also seen it with all the arts and crafts that kids make, take pictures of the kids holding the item, keep a few of the items and donate or throw out the rest.
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The kiddos old school work is the box I haven’t touched yet. Taking pictures definitely will make getting rid of some of their “art” easier. Maybe I’ll put together a book with those things I saved over the years.
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OMG! I can’t imagine *wanting* to take photos of all the stuff I’ve donated / thrown out / given away over time! It would be horrible!
When I think back over the last few years of decluttering, there are very few items that I wish I could reconsider, and none that I truly regret. The only thing I really do regret is all the wasted money and energy I spent on it all in the first place.
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I agree with the feeling of wasted money but it is gone. I always have taken pictures just in case of a tax audit. Unlikely but you never know. I couldn’t tell you the last time I looked at donation pictures.
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