Boxes Full of Yesterday: Our Collections Through the Years
From childhood treasures to adult collectibles, the things we gather throughout our lives tell a story about who we are and what we value. In our recent episode of the Girl Gang Podcast, we dove deep into our personal collections and the memories attached to them, revealing how these items shape our identities and preserve our histories.
Many of us have childhood keepsakes that have followed us into adulthood. Sarah shared how her mother created a treasure chest for her high school graduation, containing preserved mementos from each grade level. This thoughtful organization of memories inspired Sarah to create similar memory boxes as baby gifts for friends, allowing new parents to document their children's journeys. Brandi even has all her old stories she wrote as a kid and won competitions with! These collections aren't just about nostalgia—they're about preserving our personal histories and the milestones that shaped us.
Family traditions often influence what we collect. I discussed how my grandma's collection of decorative egg cups are important for me, especially during this transition time with my grandpa recently passing. Similarly, my great-grandmother's collection of owl figurines merged with my sorority mascot, forming a collection that bridges family history with personal identity. Sarah was gifted Charming Tails by her grandma and always got one for holidays, birthdays, etc. Brandi has also been re-establishing her collection of Barney’s that were thrown away at one point.
Travel mementos represent another common category of collections. While I started with collecting snow globes, I’ve moved to more practical souvenirs like magnets, which are easier to transport and display. We even highlight how the presentation of collections can enhance their meaning and visibility in our homes. The challenge of limited space forces us to be selective and intentional about what we preserve and how we showcase it.
The digital age has changed how we collect certain mementos. Sarah mentioned missing physical concert tickets, which have largely been replaced by digital versions. This shift raises questions about how we preserve memories in an increasingly digital world. While environmentally friendly, digital tickets lack the tangible quality that makes physical mementos so powerful as memory triggers. This tension between sustainability and sentimentality represents a modern collector's dilemma.
The podcast also explored the emotional attachments we form with our collections, particularly when discussing what items we would save in a house fire. These "desert island" selections reveal what ultimately matters most—often items with deep emotional significance rather than monetary value. From childhood stuffed animals to family photos, these cherished possessions connect us to our past and the people we love.
As adults navigating limited space and Marie Kondo-inspired minimalism, many of us struggle with the balance between cherishing sentimental items and avoiding becoming "clean hoarders." Whether you're collecting plants, books, figurines, or mementos from special moments, what matters isn't the size or value of your collection, but the joy and connection it brings to your life. As the Girl Gang reminds us, sometimes the theme is simply happiness—and that's collection goal enough.
Listen now!
Chapters to check out:
1:08 Introduction to Collections Talk
5:29 Childhood Keepsakes and Memory Boxes
10:46 Family Heirlooms and Meaningful Collections
17:13 Travel Mementos and Display Ideas
26:07 Toys and Childhood Collections
34:48 Nostalgia and Sentimental Attachments
44:03 What We'd Save in a Fire
49:38 Land Before Time and Emotional Attachments
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Girl Gang Podcast. What do you collect? What is the one thing you would save if your house was on fire? Text us with the text option in our episode description!
So until next time - stay bold, stay empowered…
Rachael & the Girl Gang
