We published more than 70 ARTIcles and Press Center updates during 2024. That’s a lot of information, ideas, and inspiration flowing your way. As we sat down to look back at what most captured your interest, we saw organizing and decluttering dominating, buoyed by preparedness and support, too, from Artifcts’ new QR code stickers.
But we also see that the sentimental and emotional nature of the stuff we collect and accumulate weighs on our minds and opens us up to new approaches to help wade through the tough ‘stuff.’ We’d argue that’s why we also observed nostalgia-themed ARTIcles related to photos, sports memorabilia, and travel, rise to the top of the “most read” list, too.
Artifcts is so much more than an app. It’s a lifestyle. So these trends in what interests you here at Artifcts were extremely validating. We want to be there to help you with your stories and memories as well as the practical matters of life: What is this stuff, why does it matter, and what will I do with it next?
Whether reading for the first time or 10th, we hope you’ll enjoy this look back at the top 10 ARTIcles of 2024 and pick up a few reminders and tips along the way. Below we share excerpts from each and a link to re-read and enjoy.
#keepthememories #yourstoriesmatter #artifctthat #insurance #estateplanning
#10
My Family Wants Me to Tell My Stories. Help!
Feeling pressured to tell your life stories?
Has a loved one given you a questionnaire or book to write in about your life that feels like another to-do?
Are you receiving tips on how to “express yourself” or make your stories “entertaining," "thoughtful," or "compelling" and don’t really know where to begin?
(Are you the one creating the pressure?! Keep reading.) Today's article… Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, “Telling My Story Without the Pressure of a Memoir.”
#9
We All Deserve a Purple Bin
My semitranslucent, plastic purple bin measures roughly 10 inches by 12 inches. I chose it because it was easy to spot and distinguish from my other storage bins. Already 20 years old, I’ve transported the bin to homes in six US states. It sits quietly now, minding its own business, in my dark attic.
What’s in the bin? Hard to remember most days.
If I were to lose it or Mother Nature were to destroy it, I’d feel the pain of curiosity about my loss, but I wouldn’t be able to quantify that loss. And in all honesty, I’d get over it a lot faster than I did the destruction of... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, "Why One Mom Moved Beyond Memory Boxes and Instagram."
#8
Get Stickered! Introducing Artifcts QR Code Stickers
Our new QR code stickers make fast work of sorting through and organizing all that ‘stuff.’ Once you purchase a set, you can grab your Artifcts sticker sheets, get cozy in that attic, den, basement, or maybe even family member’s home, and start Artifcting and stickering, zero interruptions to search out a printer. Before you know it, you’ll have added valuable stories to your Artifcts collection and instantly and meaningfully organized all those items.
"Our mission at Artifcts is to help you connect the stories of life with the objects that you’ve collected, accumulated, and inherited. Now with Artifcts QR stickers we’ve made it that much simpler to keep track of your ‘stuff’ and your memories, too," said co-founder and CEO Heather Nickerson.
Don't believe us? Hear from someone who's helped 10s of 1,000s of people... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, "Artifcts® Platform Now Supports Publishing to Custom-Designed Books with Partner Akin."
#7
Every Room Has a Story: Kitchen Edition
Welcome to the fourth in our series of the stories of your living spaces: Your kitchen. Often the workhorse of our homes, the kitchen is also ground zero for family gatherings, traditions and oh-so-many memories and stories to go along with it all. Not to mention ALL that cabinet space, which too often ends up becoming the final resting place for long forgotten and seldom used gadgets, mugs, cookbooks, and more!
What surprises are hidden behind your cabinet doors? What memories and stories are sitting untold? What ‘stuff’ is getting in your way of the job to be done: cooking! Let’s go!
Catch up on past editions... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, "Artifcts: Your Digital Cookbook Meets Culinary Scrapbook."
#6
Emergency Go Bag: Don't Forget the Memories
As spring cleaning continues and storms rage, we’re taking a moment to help you make the most of that frenzy to also boost your preparedness, a key theme here at Artifcts.
We’ve shared with you the true story of our co-founder Ellen who experienced a home fire at the age of seven and encouraged you to consider what objects in your home matter most. Whether you’re in a location prone to wildfires, floods, tornados, or other extreme weather events, preparation is key.
We also recently shared the story of a woman who proactively relocated her cherished belongings to a secure, climate-controlled storage facility out of harm’s way from the California wildfires only to have a flood... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, "Insurance and the Art of Artifcts."
#5
Swedish Death Cleaning Your Digital Legacy
Swedish Death Cleaning provides a conceptual framework to encourage us each to organize and declutter our homes to reduce the burden on loved ones who would otherwise need to sift through 1000s of objects one day when we’re no longer here. We might be some of the biggest fans of Margareta Magnusson, who introduced the concept in her book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, that she’s never met.💗 ...
... What ARE we talking about, “digital legacy?” Good question! Because, no, in this context, it is not about the entirety of your online life or digital assets, e.g. banking, mortgages,... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in other ARTIcles by Artifcts about Swedish Death Cleaning.
#4
Minimalism Techniques That Can Help Us All
A decade or so ago when Zoë Kim, of Raising Simple, began taking small steps toward a more minimalist lifestyle, it was her kitchen that was her motivator. How could she function when there was so much stuff, food stuff to use and not waste, but also stuff to fit into cupboards, wash and dry, and generally even remember to use! Why did she even have five wooden spoons when a few would do?
Fast forward to 2023. She's the mom to seven children in a blended family with her partner Matt Paxton. While he had spent nearly his entire career helping hoarders, supporting people who need to clean out their houses and others who were downsizing, he was never a minimalist. He liked his stuff, and the stuff from his dad... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, "15 Decluttering Targets for Artifcters."
#3
Salvaging Water Damaged Photos
The following article includes excerpts from a true story shared with Artifcts by a member of the Arti Community and republished here with permission. May their loss help your future.
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Imagine yourself in this scenario: Wildfires are approaching your home. You evacuate, taking with you your most cherished possessions, including those incredibly vulnerable photos, videos, books, and family documents. You feel relief when you place them inside a climate-controlled storage unit far outside the fire zone.
Days later you receive a call from the storage facility. There’s been an accident. Your storage unit has been flooded via a damaged sprinkler system... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, "Let's Talk Photo Negatives and VHS Tapes."
#2
TIME Magazine Wants You to Declutter With Artifcts
Angela Haupt, journalist with TIME magazine, featured Artifcts this week in an online article that united experts in mental health and decluttering to share tools and tactics to "kickstart a realistic decluttering routine." We especially loved this insight from our own strategic advisory board member and popular TV host Matt Paxton:
Many people struggle to declutter because they don’t want to part with items that remind them of someone or something they love, Paxton says. A simple mindset shift can make a big difference: Think of getting rid of stuff as a way of unearthing your family’s history.
A history you can then easily capture, preserve, and share here at Artifcts. Read the full story on TIME.
You may also be interested in, "15 Years in Storage: Now What?"
#1
Letting Go of Sentimental Items
Last fall Chris Stapleton appeared in a Sunday morning interview on NBC with Willie Geist. In a moment of reflection on the “how” of his music making, Chris pointed to a chair he’s used as he’s recorded all of his albums and said, “It’s home.”
We get sentimental about objects for that “home” feeling among other reasons, making it difficult to let go sometimes. These are the artifacts of our lives! Today, we’re sharing our green-yellow-red light approach to reevaluating your sentimental collections.
But, Reader, beware! If you are waiting for us... Read the full ARTIcles story.
You may also be interested in, Spring Cleaning: The Clothing Edition.
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2024 is now a wrap. We look forward to seeing you back here in January!
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Curious for more? Take a look back at the Top 10 ARTIcles of 2023, too.
© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The first four days of our 12 Days of Artifcts challenge. Objects with stories, your stories!
