Winter got you down? If you live in a four-seasons part of the United States, your answer may very well be yes.
Here in Central Iowa, we’re not even through January and we’ve already received more snow than we would normally expect in a full winter season. And that’s on top of bone-numbing cold, ice storms and a persistent fog on those rare occasions when the temperature creeps above freezing. The sun has been pretty much a no-show except on the coldest of days.
One way to ward off the cabin fever that ultimately engulfs those who are housebound for extended periods of time is to start a family history project or work on your existing one. Here are a few things you can do besides watching TV or tripping through cyberspace:
Organize your e-mails. That means working your way through your inbox, tossing those messages that you no longer need and responding to those that call for a reply. Save only those messages that are absolutely necessary and put them in a folder that you will check. Be ruthless.
Manage your computer files. Take the same approach with your electronic filing system. You most likely have items there that have outlived their usefulness or weren’t that important in the first place. If you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s a good candidate for the trash bin.
Sort your stuff. From file cabinets to photos, it’s time to whittle down to just what you need. If you have family photos that you don’t really need, consider sharing with other family members.
Here in Central Iowa, we’re not even through January and we’ve already received more snow than we would normally expect in a full winter season. And that’s on top of bone-numbing cold, ice storms and a persistent fog on those rare occasions when the temperature creeps above freezing. The sun has been pretty much a no-show except on the coldest of days.
One way to ward off the cabin fever that ultimately engulfs those who are housebound for extended periods of time is to start a family history project or work on your existing one. Here are a few things you can do besides watching TV or tripping through cyberspace:
Organize your e-mails. That means working your way through your inbox, tossing those messages that you no longer need and responding to those that call for a reply. Save only those messages that are absolutely necessary and put them in a folder that you will check. Be ruthless.
Manage your computer files. Take the same approach with your electronic filing system. You most likely have items there that have outlived their usefulness or weren’t that important in the first place. If you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s a good candidate for the trash bin.
Sort your stuff. From file cabinets to photos, it’s time to whittle down to just what you need. If you have family photos that you don’t really need, consider sharing with other family members.
Back up your data. What! You haven’t done this yet? Better get with it.
Larry Lehmer is a professional personal historian who helps people preserve their family histories. To learn more, visit his web site, send him an e-mail or follow him on Twitter.
Flickr photo courtesy of Muffet.
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