Is it okay to throw away family photos of family you no longer talk to?

fourninjaturtles · Mar 23, 2018 at 12:42 PM

It's been in the back of my mind for a couple years to throw out the old family photo albums since I no longer talk to or see any of these people. Has anyone else done this and had a positive or negative effect from doing it? I feel like it would bring me some relief since I harbor anger toward some of these people and it would be a way for me to finally get every trace of them out of my life. Thanks.

Wild Coyote · Mar 26, 2018 at 01:44 AM

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Wild Coyote · Mar 26, 2018 at 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourninjaturtles

It's been in the back of my mind for a couple years to throw out the old family photo albums since I no longer talk to or see any of these people. Has anyone else done this and had a positive or negative effect from doing it? I feel like it would bring me some relief since I harbor anger toward some of these people and it would be a way for me to finally get every trace of them out of my life. Thanks.

No hope of ever reconciling with any family members?

This is a very individualized decision. I could not throw out pictures, as they are images of elders and people I cherish.

I hope you find inner peace.

WC

DP_2017 · Mar 26, 2018 at 07:16 AM

Sure you can. I've done it but only a few rare instances, sometimes, even if the person isn't in my life, I still like the picture

mote.of.soul · Mar 26, 2018 at 09:05 AM

Yes, it is okay, if that's what you want to do. You're right, it's like a cleansing but just be certain first, because maybe sometime down the track you might wish you still had the photos. Maybe just keep one or two.

Mar 26, 2018 at 11:15 AM

Oh there are definitely family members I far from cherish. There are also periods of my life I want no momentos of.

Rather than destroy the pictures however I simply gave the albums and pictures away.

amandalouise · Mar 26, 2018 at 11:35 AM

can you throw out photos of people you dont talk to anymore... well thats a touchy question because some cultures believe when someone takes your picture they are capturing a part of your essence/ your soul/ your personality/ who and what you are. my own native american culture for example. what we do instead of throwing out photos we give the photos back to the person the photo is of. If the person is not locate able (death or just general dont know where they are) we pass the photos on to their kin/ their family who will do what is appropriate for their family in the way of storing or destroying the photo.

my suggestion is go with what ever your own family's culture and religious beliefs are about this.

Mar 26, 2018 at 11:47 AM

It's a personal decision. My parents have both passed away. My moms sister and I had a blow out fight 6 months after my mom died (10 years ago) and haven't spoken since. I still have all my pictures of her stuffed in a box in the basement. I have no positive feelings towards the woman, but she is a part of my life history so I keep them. I would recommend storing them out of sight for a while and making a decision when you don't hold that anger.

fourninjaturtles · Mar 26, 2018 at 12:00 PM

Thanks for your responses! I decided to just put the albums in a box and into the back of the closet. No hope of reconciliation with any of them. The albums won't take up much space and I'll forget about them. Thanks!

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DP_2017 Grand Magnate Member Since Aug 2017 Location: A house Posts: 4,412 6 665 hugs given	Mar 26, 2018 at 07:16 AM #4 Sure you can. I've done it but only a few rare instances, sometimes, even if the person isn't in my life, I still like the picture
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mote.of.soul Legendary Member Since Jan 2018 Location: New Zealand Posts: 13,136 (SuperPoster!) 6 21.9k hugs given	Mar 26, 2018 at 09:05 AM #5 Yes, it is okay, if that's what you want to do. You're right, it's like a cleansing but just be certain first, because maybe sometime down the track you might wish you still had the photos. Maybe just keep one or two.
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justafriend306 Guest Posts: n/a	Mar 26, 2018 at 11:15 AM #6 Oh there are definitely family members I far from cherish. There are also periods of my life I want no momentos of. Rather than destroy the pictures however I simply gave the albums and pictures away.
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fourninjaturtles New Member Member Since Mar 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 3 6	Mar 26, 2018 at 12:00 PM #9 Thanks for your responses! I decided to just put the albums in a box and into the back of the closet. No hope of reconciliation with any of them. The albums won't take up much space and I'll forget about them. Thanks!
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