Dear friends. Some of you may recall that I am a Big Fan of David Bowie, and have been since the age of 11.
He inspired one of my first blog posts back in 2006, at a different place.
I was intrigued to read that David was an inveterate recorder of his life. Thanks to the fact he kept literally everything - ticket stubs, menus and recordings of every show, the V&A will open a permanent exhibition at its new location in Stratford, East London.
I share a similar passion for keeping everything. I have boxes of school essays, holiday scrapbooks (sometimes written on the back of wallpaper), stories and plays I wrote when I was young, and all the press releases and articles I've been mentioned in, in my professional and blogging life. The top pic shows an article published in Yours magazine.
Whereas David Bowie became hugely important and famous, I'm just a minnow who enjoyed a brief period of glory at junior school as a talented writer (albeit useless at maths).
There's my box of old phones. My stash of old magazine (Now news magazine from the late 70s, She, and last ever copies of magazines such as Easy Living and Brand New You, if you're interested?). My documents from 18 months living in Germany. Years of desk diaries which recorded my work meetings and travel. Online posts where I gave my 10 cents on tech matters, as a marketing professional. All the stories I wrote for the South Devon Times.
What to Do with the Boomer Junk?
I keep thinking about my archive, or "Boomer Junk" as it's now referred to online. Who will want my collection? I don't have children and can't think any of it will be remotely interesting to my stepchildren or niece and nephew.
Maybe in a hundred years, someone researching the family tree might be intrigued to discover my gems.
Below: holiday reminiscences from a caravan in Paignton when I was 10. We seem to have blonde hair, probably because I was missing a crayon or pencil in the right colour.
I know I need to get rid of it all but it feels like a wrench, as if I'm parcelling up my childhood and throwing it away.
I tried to make a start a couple of years ago by throwing out itineraries for various holidays. The result is, I sometimes wake up panicking because I can't remember when I went to Sri Lanka. Why I need to know fails me, but it seems to be connected to a fierce need to document my insignificant life.
Do any of you relate to this? Have you thrown out sentimental personal effects, and if so, do you have any recommendations? Do share in the comments.
Sharing with these fantastic sites.
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