Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to a fantastic group of female entrepreneurs in Canberra. After the talk, one woman approached me with a question that really struck a chord. She felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of printed photos she had accumulated over the years, from the days before everything went digital. Her question, though, was more about seeking permission to let go of these physical memories.

She wasn’t alone in this feeling. Many of us, myself included, sometimes find ourselves waiting for someone else to tell us it’s okay to get rid of things. But here’s the real talk: you don’t need anyone’s permission to declutter your life. If you’re holding onto something that no longer serves you or brings you joy, you have every right to let it go.

These women I spoke to were all successful, dynamic entrepreneurs—kicking goals left and right. Yet, even they struggled with this need for permission. It’s a common thread that runs through many of us, and there’s a lot to unpack there. But for now, let’s focus on giving yourself the green light to clear out what’s no longer necessary.

Decluttering Old Photos: My Personal Experience

Now, back to those photos. Her question reminded me of a story from my own childhood. When I was about five years old, I idolized the older kids in my neighborhood. They were like celebrities to me, larger than life. One of them told me something that stuck with me for years: it is illegal to throw out photographs. According to her, there was some magical police technology that could track you down based on the photos you threw away. They could find out who was in the pictures, where they were taken, and who had discarded them, leading to some sort of punishment.

As absurd as it sounds, my five-year-old self believed it wholeheartedly. And even though I know now it’s not true, a part of that story stayed with me. So, when the topic of discarding printed photos comes up, I still feel a little pang of discomfort.

But here’s the thing—I’ve done it. I’ve let go of old photographs, and I continue to do so. And guess what? No one’s come knocking on my door to arrest me. So, if you’re wrestling with the decision to part with those stacks of photos, consider this your permission slip. Not that you need it, but sometimes it helps to hear it.

old photos of Lauren and her little sister

How to Let Go of Printed Photos

Letting go of physical photographs doesn’t erase the memories or the significance of those moments. You’re not going to lose a piece of yourself by clearing out the clutter. In fact, you might just gain a bit of peace and clarity.

Here are some steps to help you tackle that photo pile:

  1. Sort through your photos: Take your time to go through each one.
  2. Keep the ones that matter: Hold on to photos that spark joy and meaningful memories.
  3. Digitize if needed: Consider scanning photos you want to keep but don’t need physical copies of. (Careful though – digital clutter is real too.)
  4. Let go of the rest: Recycle or dispose of the photos that no longer serve you.

You’ve Got This!

So, go ahead and tackle that photo pile. And if, by some wild chance, it actually is illegal to throw out photos, I’d love to know. But for now, I’m pretty confident you’re safe. You’ve got this.

And remember, you don’t need anyone else’s permission to create the space you need to thrive. You’re the boss of your life—own it.

Got a story or a question about your own decluttering journey? I’d love to hear it. Drop me an email or book a call with me to share your story or ask anything about decluttering and organising.