podling | Opinions on email retention

I was going to do a poll about this, but then realized that much of the time the answers aren't quite right or don't match the answer I would ideally like to give. So. I've been debating with myself and want opinions from others.

Is there a limit on how long you keep email from people? From people you don't talk to? From people you do speak to? From people who you do still talk to but have a very different relationship with now?

I mean, basically that last one is where I am. In a general sort of way, I think it can be very cathartic. Like deleting all emails from an ex from years ago, it can feel good, provide more of a sense of closure. Definitely. But that's not the case here. And I have to examine, why did I keep all these emails? Do I really want to read through them all? The answers are that I don't know, and probably not. But do I want to delete them? But when the relationship is more vague, what then? I suppose it's not all about email though... real written mail for instance.

Just rambling thoughts about it, I guess...