Anywhooooo, as part of my preparation, everyday I tried to do at least one thing to purge my paper files. I forgot to take a "Before" shot, but over the years I had pretty much filled up all four lateral files like so:
Two of the drawers were devoted to my business files and client files. My business files were a breeze to sort and scan. And my client files just took some time. The cases were all successful and closed, and my clients already had complete copies of everything. (Once I properly accepted the job offer, I stopped taking new clients.) So it took a few hours to sort, redact, and properly seal and store them.
My personal files on the other hand....wow...I didn't realize how much I saved since I was 18. Grade reports...resumes...letters of recommendations...old job descriptions from former posts...every tax return...student loans... and I admit, even a few readers from my favorite classes were in the mix. I powered through it all, listening to Queen and taking a lot of little breaks. In the end, I was able to recycle a lot of paper and shred a lot of irrelevant documents. In fact, everything fit neatly into one filing box. Except my readers. I loved those classes. I made room on a bookshelf instead.
Before I sealed my personal files away too, I decided to take a break and think about what I would need abroad and next year. So far:
- MCLE certificates (in case I would be audited)
- Health records*
- Previous tax returns
- Student Loan repayment schedule/info
- Various financial information
- Required documents for the American Samoa Bar
*A special note on health records: this was relatively easy to obtain, but it was just time-consuming. You are entitled to a free copy of your health record. Period. Don't let them tell you differently. You will waste 2-4 hours waiting for an appointment just to fill out the request form, but you should receive it in within 2-3 weeks. I opted for a encrypted copy on a flash drive, and it only took 1 week! The process is the same if you need a letter for traveling with medication. For example, I travel with an inhaler and epi-pen. These items are allowed by the TSA. It is their policy. But there are too many horror stories out there of ignorant security personnel. I also plan on traveling to other countries, and didn't want to encounter any problems. I drafted my own letter as a sample and attached it to my request form. Bam! One week later I got my letter back (with some modifications, even I think my letter was clearer and more persuasive) signed by my doctor on official letterhead!
I felt mighty good at all the purging, recycling, and shredding I did today. I was on a roll and didn't stop. I swooped upon my desk, library, and closet, and purged the rest of the afternoon. I found a lot of flash drives I though I had lost....my old rubik's cube...and my childhood diaries! Dun! Dun! Dun!
Seven diaries total. Since age 10. None of them completely filled up. Yet all of them filled with tales of dying and longing. Hah!
I am not sure what to do...hide 'em, burn 'em or bring 'em. I don't want anyone to read them...EVER...even after I am dead. Also I perused a few entries...some were funny and amusing, and others stirred up some raw emotions. In some ways I see how much I have changed...in others, I see a pattern of mistakes repeated... I don't know what to do....I only know that I don't want anyone to read them.
Thoughts?
No thoughts that would help (since this is around 5 years later...) but I so understand the diaries "don't want others to read them ever" issue!
ReplyDeleteP.S. 7 years later, I kept diaries. I hope they bring some laughter, comfort, and insight to my children, nieces, and nephews.
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