No it’s too soon to do anything. Simply pack everything away. Sometimes it helps to get shed of the memories. Buy a bunch of boxes and put it away, you can revisit the question of what to do with the stuff in six months or a year.
Step 1: I sold my band to one of those companies that buy your old gold for a shockingly low price.
Step 2: I received the check in the mail, and then lost it before I got to cash it.
I may or may not recommend the first step. I definitely would NOT recommend the second.
As for the photographs and memorabilia, I left all of that stuff behind. I was always the sentimental one; my ex never had been. Since our marriage ended in an ugly fashion (never loved me “that way,” decided to sleep with other people), I had no reason or desire to hold on to reminders of what I considered to have been a 10-year lie. It has been nearly a year since I moved out, and I don’t have any regrets about any of that being lost.
Having said that, I don’t disagree with the advice in this thread that suggests you not make a decision like that right away. In time, those things may still have meaning for you.
I’m sorry for what you’re going through, and I hope the best for your future.
I have a beautiful Salish Art-carved ring in silver for my wedding ring. The marriage lasted a month less than two years.
It gave me a rash from the start. I still have it. (the ring, not the rash) It could be a man’s or a woman’s ring and doesn’t look like a wedding ring, so I hold on to it. For my son, a daughter in law, or I could wear it myself some day.
So, I don’t know. Selling it wouldn’t get the worth, and I think the artist might be getting famous. I meant to check when I was in North Vancouver a week ago, but I never got around to it. I could eBay it, but right now it sits in my underwear drawer. The photo albums are in a box at the back of my closet. some day my 6 year old son may be interested.
Just as difficult as it was to switch in the first place. You’ll need a new driver’s license, Social Security card, and so on, and you’ll have to have your utility bills switched to your new name so you can use them for ID/credit later on.
I would let this particular change ride until your driver’s license or passport are expiring anyway.
I’ve always wanted to go to Niagra Falls… Now I’m wondering how much crap is down there? (like all the stuff that’s thrown into Niagra Falls is accumulating in one specific location, preferably in a nice convenient treasure chest)
Are you planning to try to get that stuff? Good luck
Of course if you do you will find the ring my ex-wife gave me, right next to the ring tygre threw down there. It was so therapeutic for both of us. And every time we go past the Falls now we think of it, and the memory draws us closer.
No advice concerning the ring, and my thoughs concerning memorabilia are moot as of post 14, but I’ll throw them out there for anyone else that might find themselves asking the same questions.
Keep the albums and other items stuck in a box in the back of a closet somewhere. You may never look at them again, but your children or grandchildren may someday appreciate having them.
My parents divorced when I was 5. My mother saved her rings; when I was 16, she gifted me with her wedding band, as “a reminder to make good choices.” Over a decade later, I’ve worn it every day since then. (Note that this is an Artcarved ring that looks something like this, with no gems.)
When I got divorced, I had my mom go through the pictures and take the ones she wanted (mainly of relatives and friends). I went through the remainder (and kept a few of me and my parents), then threw the rest in the garbage. Ten years later I threw out the few pictures I kept. I have my engagement ring in a box in the drawer. I already have a diamond pendant and the diamond in my engagement ring, while a decent size, is the most unpopular cut and therefore I would get no money for it.
My wedding band was an eternity band. I donated it to a charity auction (to raise money for animal rescue) and someone bought it for $100. I donated my wedding dress to a charity that resells dresses and then donates the proceeds to breast cancer research.
As far as changing your name back to your maiden name, make sure that clause is in the divorce agreement. I did, and toted the divorce papers to all the necessary agencies (Social Security, drivers’ license bureau). Yes, they did check the papers to make sure it was AOK. My friend did not have the clause in her divorce agreement and had to pay legal fees later to change back to her maiden name.