Guilt-Free Guide to Parting With Sentimental Things
Sentimental things can be challenging when trying to clean up your home . They take up valuable space, but you feel guilty when you even think about getting rid of them. Here are some tips to help you preserve mementos without feeling like a heartless monster.
Remember that you are not created from your “material”
As you begin to get rid of your things, constantly remind yourself that you are not made up of your things. Even if you get rid of all your belongings, you will still be yourself. It’s harder to do with sentimental items because memories seem to be attached to them, but The Minimalists’ Joshua Fields Millburn explains that those memories are actually within you , not your belongings. Remember this when looking through your belongings and asking yourself, “Do I need this to preserve my memory?”
There are many other ways to preserve memories without leaving the item in storage. Take a photo of it, write it down in a journal, or perhaps even decide that it is a memory that you no longer need to keep. In fact, if you’re holding onto a subject due to memories that weigh on you, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
Write a story about your favorite subjects
For items that truly involve exceptional memories or feelings, you can write a story that expresses whatever you feel about it. This helps in several ways:
- You can transform that feeling into something much more personal and compact.
- You force yourself to realize what was so important about this subject from the very beginning.
- You can embody this importance in your life right now.
As you write your story, Becoming Minimalist’s Courtney Carver suggests that you may find that the feelings this item evokes go far beyond mere memory :
… the most sentimental things are not things at all, but stories about the people and places we love and how we spend our time … Your words can start with a description of your mother’s watch, but turn into a beautiful story about Afternoon the two of you spent time together … you not only make room for good things, but you can also clearly define what is most important to you. Instead of filling boxes with things that define your life, spend more time creating your life …
Sharing your mother’s watch may encourage you to spend more time with her. Or it may make you realize that you want to give your children as many of these memories as possible. Look beyond memory and see what actually makes the subject matter to you so you can let it go.
Keep only one thing as a keepsake or per person
If you have a lot of souvenirs, chances are there are many things that double the memories and people. If you have two things to remember about the baseball game you went to, pick your favorite and keep it to yourself. If you have a box full of memories from a friend or an old flute, find something that gives you the best memory and save it. It doesn’t take so many things to remember someone. You may even remember that you don’t want to remember them, and it’s time for them to leave.
If you have lost someone very dear to you, dedicate an entire diary to him and write down all possible memories of each item. Add photos and small flat objects where you can and you will see that you never needed all of this to start.
Choose a Reasonable Size Gift Box
A few things can be left out, especially if you’ve already narrowed them down. However, you still don’t want it to take up too much space. Find a drawer that’s big enough to hold a few things, but also small enough to hide in a closet out of sight. If all of your sentimental items don’t fit in this box, recycle them again until they can. In the end, you will have an efficient storage solution for all your memories that can be easily accessed when you want to return.
Give your souvenirs to those who can use them
Something sentimental to you is probably still helpful to someone. As you explore your stuff, knowing that someone else can create new memories with the subject can help you move on. You may enjoy seeing your old toys from time to time, but there is probably a child in need who would like to play with them. You can donate clothes, sports equipment, tools, and anything that isn’t broken or too personal, such as photos. You will feel good taking the weight off your shoulders, and you will feel good knowing that you have helped someone.
Of course, there is no need to rush. Digging through old memories can be painful and emotionally exhausting. Courtney Carver of Be More With Less emphasizes that it’s important to take your time figuring things out. As you go along, ask yourself questions that might make things easier for you, and if you come across an item that you have kept out of your guilt, give it to someone who can use it. Sitting there and doing nothing is useless. This is a big step towards starting to get rid of sentimental things, but it will help clear your home and your mind.