Leaving a legacy: More than just memories

6 minute read

When we hear the word legacy, we often think of wealth or inheritance—but leaving a legacy is about so much more. It’s about the stories we tell, the values we pass down and the way we make life easier for those we love. It’s about ensuring that when we’re no longer here, our presence is still felt in meaningful ways.

Many of us put off thinking about our legacy, seeing it as overwhelming or something for “later”. But getting organised isn’t just about the future—it brings peace of mind now. With documents in order, sentimental items in place and your wishes known, you can live more freely and intentionally TODAY.

APDO member, Julia Jamieson is passionate about starting the conversation and ensuring it’s not about doom and gloom, but that it’s about empowerment. Here, she takes us through some simple, practical steps to help you shape the legacy you want to leave—one that reflects your values, honours your journey and makes things easier for your loved ones when the time comes. Let’s get started.

1. Defining Your Legacy: What Do You Want to Leave Behind?

Leaving a legacy isn’t just about what you own—it’s about what you stand for. It’s the memories, values and impact you leave behind. But have you ever stopped to think about what your legacy will be?

For some, it means ensuring their family is financially secure. For others, it’s about passing down wisdom, traditions or even a collection of well-loved books. It might be about making a difference in the community, supporting a cause or simply ensuring that loved ones don’t have to struggle with unnecessary admin and clutter after they’re gone.

To help clarify what legacy means to you, ask yourself these questions:

• What do I want my loved ones to remember about me? 
• What values are most important to me? 
• What practical steps can I take now to make life easier for my family later? 
• What impact do I want to have on my community or the world? 

Legacy isn’t something that happens after we’re gone—it’s shaped by the way we live every day. By defining what truly matters to you, you can begin to take steps to ensure your legacy is one of meaning, purpose and organisation.

2. Keeping What Matters: A Legacy of Meaning, Not Clutter

It’s natural to want to leave things behind for the people we love. But more isn’t always more. The reality is, the fewer things we leave, the more meaningful they become. When we strip away the excess, the items that remain take on greater significance—they become a true reflection of who we were, what we valued and the life we lived.

Think about it: if we pass on a house full of clutter, our loved ones will have to sift through endless boxes, unsure of what truly mattered to us. This will not only take time but will drain them of valuable energy that they need just to get through the day when they are grieving. But if we take the time now to refine our belongings, the things we leave behind become symbols of our essence—objects that spark memories, tell stories and hold genuine sentimental value.

The Swedish concept of ‘döstädning’ (or “death cleaning”) comes to mind here. It’s not as morbid as it sounds! It’s about lightening your load as you age, so your loved ones aren’t left with an overwhelming task. It’s about cherishing memories while being mindful of the space they take up—both physically and emotionally. You can find out even more in our blog this Friday which takes a deeper look at Margaret Magnusson's book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.

Sorting sentimental items is emotional and it’s tempting to keep everything. But more can often dilute what truly matters. When we keep everything, nothing stands out. Instead, let’s be intentional. The key is to strike a balance: preserving what truly matters while letting go of what doesn’t serve us or our loved ones. What are the few objects that truly represent you? 

By curating what we leave behind, we remove the burden of decision-making and instead offer them a handful of deeply personal treasures—items they can hold, wear or display with pride, knowing they were chosen with love.

Six Tips to Approaching Sentimental Decluttering

1. Start Small and Slow:

• Begin with one category at a time—like photographs, letters, or heirlooms.

2. Reflect on Each Item’s Meaning:

• Does it bring you joy or comfort?
• Is it tied to a significant memory or person?
• Would you want to pass this on to someone else, or is it a personal keepsake?

3. Decide What to Keep, Pass On or Let Go:

• Keep: Choose the items that truly represent your values, history or bring joy.
• Pass On: If an item has family significance, consider gifting it now, along with its story.
• Let Go: Remember, releasing an item doesn’t erase the memory. You can take a photo or write a note about it to preserve its meaning.

4. Create a Memory Box for Each Family Member:

• Dedicate a memory box to each loved one. 
• Select a handful of items that represent your connection with them. 

5. Digitise Where Possible:

• Creating digital albums of photos/letters and a digital archive of family recipes, traditions or stories— preserves memories without physical clutter.

6. Share the Stories:

• For the items you choose to keep or pass on, document the stories behind them.
• Write a note, record a voice message or film a short video explaining an item’s significance.

Sharing these stories can be a beautiful way to pass on family history and values. It turns objects into legacies of their own, rich with meaning and connection.

3. Passing Down Heirlooms: Thoughtful Choices for a Meaningful Legacy

Passing down heirlooms isn’t just about giving away belongings—it’s about sharing our history, values and personal stories. The key is to be intentional about what we pass on and ensure it goes to the right hands.

Choosing and Organising Heirlooms

1. Identify the most meaningful pieces – Ask yourself: Does this represent an important part of my life or values? Will this bring joy or meaning to the person receiving it?

2. Label and document the stories behind them – An item carries more weight when its story is known. Leave a note or record a message explaining its history, why it’s special and why you’ve chosen to pass it on. 

What If No One Wants It?

Sometimes, heirlooms or collections are too niche for family members to appreciate. Have conversations with family members to understand what they’d like to keep and don’t take it personally if some things aren’t meaningful to them.

In these cases, the best way to honour them is by ensuring they find a home where they’ll be valued.

1. Leave instructions on where to sell or donate niche items – Information on reputable dealers or collectors who might appreciate them can be helpful.

2. Donate to causes that mattered to you – If certain charities or causes have been important in your life, consider directing your belongings to organisations that align with your values. 

💡 Tip: Create a simple document listing the charities, organisations or selling platforms that would be the best fit for your items. That way, your loved ones won’t have to guess where things should go.

By taking the time now to organise and document your heirlooms, you make it easier for your loved ones to honour your wishes and ensure that the things you treasured continue to bring joy and meaning—even beyond your lifetime.

4. The Decluttering Gift: Easing the Burden for Loved Ones

One of the greatest gifts isn’t what we leave behind—it’s what we don’t. Grief is already heavy enough without the added weight of sorting through a lifetime of clutter. By simplifying our belongings now, we’re lifting a future burden from our loved ones, giving them space to focus on memories rather than mess.

Why Decluttering Now is a Gift

✅ Less stress for your loved ones – Instead of leaving family to wade through decades of accumulated possessions, you can ensure they only have to sort through the meaningful, intentional things.

✅ A chance to pass things on with love – Instead of waiting until after you're gone, you can enjoy gifting cherished items now, sharing the stories and memories behind them in real time.

✅ More space to live fully – A decluttered home isn’t just a gift for others—it’s a gift for yourself. Less clutter means more breathing room, more ease and more focus on the things that truly bring you joy.

Decluttering is a final act of kindness that says, I’ve made this easier for you, so you don’t have to carry the weight alone.

What will your legacy look like?

Your legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind—it’s about how you live today. By taking intentional steps to organise your documents, declutter sentimental items, share your wisdom and plan for the future, you’re not just making life easier for your loved ones, you’re shaping the impact you’ll have long after you’re gone.

Because in the end, your legacy is your choice—make it one that truly reflects you.

If you would like a professional to help you make decisions about your things, take a look at APDO's membership directory.