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Some shred them.
Some smashed them.
Some trashed them.
And they had us wishing we too could be there getting rid of the worst memories of 2016.
Monali Sarkar takes us inside the Good Riddance Day in New York City.
Good Riddance Day is an annual event held in New York City for people to shred their bad memories before the New Year.
The turnout for this year's event -- at Times Square on December 28 -- was so huge that the organisers reportedly had to warn those in line that not everyone might get a chance to at the shredder.
Photograph: Darren Ornitz/Reuters
Good Riddance Day is inspired by a Latin American tradition in which people stuffed dolls with objects that represented their bad memories and set them on fire on New Year's Eve.
Photograph: Darren Ornitz/Reuters
While many shed memories of disappointing world events like Brexit and Donald Trump's election as US president, for many others it was a personal milestone.
Arlene Roberts of Antioch, California, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and made a full recovery, got rid of a wig she wore when she lost her hair during chemotherapy.
"The idea of Good Riddance Day inspired me to finally let go of my last wig, which had become a crutch holding me back from moving on and starting fresh following my treatment," she said.
"I also hope my story inspires and motivates others to move forward in life and feel confident with who they are now."
Photograph: Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Participants brought along laptops, photographs, bills and cartloads of other items of discontent that they wanted to get rid of.
Photograph: Darren Ornitz/Reuters
As they awaited their turn, some found the comfort of kindred souls in strangers.
Photograph: Darren Ornitz/Reuters
Some of the many memories of 2016 that people sought to leave behind.
Tim Tompkins, president, Times Square Alliance, who wrote the memory pictured top left, said, "We have made it to our 10th annual Good Riddance Day celebration, preparing for the New Year by reflecting on the past and looking for ways to improve and enrich our lives."
Photograph: Darren Ornitz/Reuters
For New Yorkers, this event is a natural lead-in to the famous Times Square ball drop on New Year's Eve. And from the look of it, it is totally liberating.
Photograph: Darren Ornitz/Reuters
Zara Bol: Which memory of 2016 do you want to get rid of?