Dear FlyLady,

I have fluttering for about a month and have a question.

After this past week working in the master bedroom – where I did a great job clearing off my nightstand, small bureau top, the bottom of my closet, got a good start to the pile at the end of my bed, and the stuff all along my wall; I have one untouched place – the top of my chest-on-chest bureau. There I have a lot of photos. I also have lots of photos throughout my home especially on my formal dining room buffet table which is covered with pics of me and my kids that make me smile from the pics to the pretty/unique frames.

In thinking about what to do with the stuff on my chest-on-chest I’m now wondering should I just put all the framed photos in a box and put it in the attic or is that just creating attic clutter? The same goes with my buffet table. The more I declutter the more I’m learning to let go and realize these things are not me and I’ll be okay if I don’t have them. I feel that it’s time for a change and I can let these things go. I have too many. But also, if I put away the photos, I’m worried that my youngest two kids (13 & 10) will think I don’t love them anymore. Any suggestions?

K in CT

Dear K in CT,

I am very proud of you for continuing to declutter! Eventually you will have a clear pallet in which to decorate. We have been so used to our clutter on every flat surface. What is clutter? It is anything that takes over an area! Yes family pictures can become clutter too.

Gathering all your pictures into one place is a great start. Your box idea is wonderful but don’t put them in the attic. I would say that you may have too many frames.

Each room should have some family photos but you don’t want to overwhelm the room or your guests. There are some great ideas for displaying photographs on Pinterest.com. It is fun to explore the wonderful ideas.

As for the pictures in the frames; take them out and put them a scrapbook or just a folder or box for now. Keep the frames you love and declutter the ones you don’t love.

Another fun thing to do with your photos is scan them and put them on your computer, big screen TV, or in a digital picture frame.

We have an Apple TV attached to our entertainment system. Our Flat Screen can display our favorite photographs as a screen saver.

Too much of anything becomes clutter.

When you find the way you want to display your family photos only pick a few. Less is more when it comes to displaying family photos.

Maybe you could spend a few minutes sorting some pictures to put into a photo album. Put it on your calendar! If you don’t make time for it; it will never get done.

So today establish a place to put your family photos. It can be a simple box on a shelf in your linen closet. If you don’t have a place in your linen closet then declutter one shelf today! We all have too many old sheets and towels. You have to start someplace.

With this place established; as you come across random photos, put them in the box. Don’t worry about putting them in a scrapbook yet. The more your home becomes clutter-free you will have the time to play with these pictures 15 minutes at a time.