If You Love To Travel, It's Probably Time To Declutter One Thing

Traveling affords you the opportunity to see different places, experience diverse cultures, and try new and interesting foods. All this makes for some truly memorable experiences. But if you're like most people, memories aren't enough. You also feel compelled to return with a suitcase full of mementoes to remind you of the country you just visited. The allure of souvenirs is real, but they can quickly become clutter in our homes if we aren't discerning about our purchases. If you're someone who's prone to buying tchotchkes at every port while vacationing, it's probably time for a souvenir declutter session.

Take a long, hard look around your home. Do you have too-full shelves in your living room? Are your drawers filled with random key rings and other keepsakes from far away shores? Check your closet or linen cupboard for unused textiles that you bought while vacationing somewhere exotic. More than likely, you'll find unopened or almost full boxes of tea or packages of sweets you never quite developed the palate for in your kitchen or pantry. Haul them all out and channel your inner professional organizer to separate the keepers from the where-even-is-this-from junk.

In fact, Marie Kondo's tips for dealing with sentimental items when you're decluttering souvenirs can really help here. Honor the past, make space for the new, and ask this question: Does it spark joy? It's all part of her ethos. After all, downsizing your collection of travel mementos can be a wonderful trip down memory lane. Enjoy the opportunity to reminisce, but then say goodbye to all the things you haven't seen since you unpacked them.

When you're caught up in the vacation vibe, these impulse purchases feel natural. Back home, consumed by the practicalities of post-vacation chores, our travel loot often gets shoved in the closet and forgotten about. It's time to change that. Once you've put aside the items you're not keeping, consider how you can showcase the souvenirs you actually love. You could come up with artistic ways to repurpose your mementos, such as creating a scrapbook or DIYing a float shelf. You could also transform all your favorite travel stickers into a meaningful piece of home décor by collaging them in a picture frame. Gift food and drinks to friends and family or trash them if they're past their use-by date.

Now that your home no longer resembles a souvenir shop, it's time to reconsider your approach to collecting memories. There's nothing wrong with buying the odd memento, so long as you're intentional. Choose something small and meaningful you know you'll cherish, rather than getting something for the sake of it. There are also ethical and sustainability concerns. Souvenirs are often mass-produced far from the place you're visiting. Instead, focus on buying authentic, locally crafted souvenirs that benefit the community. The best travel memories come from experiences rather than things: taking in the sights, indulging in cuisine, and interacting with people. To bring this home with you, keep a travel journal or take a cooking class. These keepsakes will hold their allure long after the trip is over.