Reader wonders what to do with old accolades

COMMENTARY

At some point, all of us will face (or have faced) Betty’s diploma dilemma. While I have my opinion, which we’ll get to, I ran the loaded question by three decluttering experts.

Professional organizer Sue Marie Bowling, owner of ThatOrganizer.com, said, “Guilt can compel us to keep things for the life we lived, not the life we are living.” (Let that sink in for a minute.) “Your reader seems to have little emotional attachment to the

evidence of her husband’s achievements. She journeyed through those accomplishments with him, so has the memories. However, for the rest of her family, a digitized record of her husband’s accomplishments would help ensure that they are not lost to history.”

Mitch Goldstone, owner of ScanMyPhotos.com, recommends scanning saving the originals “These precious records hold value to more than the person who earned them,” he added. “They are more than a bragging right. They are part of your family’s history and should be preserved.” Note: If you are going to save these paper pieces of history, remove them from their frames, insert them in acid-free page protectors, and store them in an archival-quality box, in a place that won’t get too hot or won’t flood.

Interior designer Mark Brunetz, the author of “Take the U Out of Clutter,” had this suggestion: “As a tribute to her husband, Betty should upcycle the certificates. Commission a local artist or art student to take the most meaningful certificates and create a mixed media piece of art that reflects the wife’s current style of décor. This way, they can be admired daily in a whole new way.” And you have just one framed piece, not 10.

All good advice. However, to really resolve what’s at the core of the diploma dilemma we need to dive a little deeper. My test for

DREAMSTIME School diplomas give people trying to declutter pause. Remember, they belong to those who earned them. Once that person is gone, they’re generally of no use to anyone else.