The first step towards selective memory is: getting rid of old photos. Yes! I just ditched 80% (90%?) of my photo album material. This was pretty easy, since I suck at photography. I'd forgotten about that Naval Ball in Annapolis, when M.'s host mom sent me off wearing her $10,000 diamond necklace. Holy moly. And wow, do I look a lot like my mom did when she was my age. As I was tossing photos I was trying to decide which ones needed to be shredded first (fortunately, my life has been pretty tame...) What about the photo of my high school boyfriend trying on my bikini top covered with bunches of plastic grapes? Better shred it, I think he's a doctor now.
All of this is part of a heroic effort at dejunking. The goal is to get rid of 50% of my stuff. (A few weeks ago I got rid of half of my clothes, such as the ones that I've been wearing since eighth grade. Ack.) Lots of work ahead.