Sometimes letting go of sentimental stuff is hard. In this post I’m going to share with you why it’s hard to let go and what you can do about it. Keep reading!
When I was in fifth grade, my teacher gave me an ivory-colored stuffed teddy bear. It was wearing a green dress with white lace around the bottom.
The thought of getting rid of that bear when I got older made me feel so guilty. This teacher took the time to go out and purchase a teddy bear just for me. She spent her time and money on me.
And it was more than just the time and money; it was the fact that she thought and cared enough about me to do something so special.
I could never let go of that teddy bear, even though it just sat on my bed and later stored in my closet. When I moved out the bear came with me and now my daughter has the bear sitting on her shelf.
Why do we have the hardest time letting go of sentimental stuff?
Why letting go of sentimental stuff is hard to do
Emotionally attached: Sometimes your emotions take over and you start feeling attached to your stuff. When you think of the items you have that you have an emotional attachment to, they often represent an important relationship, accomplishment, or experience. However, holding on to the stuff might actually be keeping you from having new relationships, accomplishments, and experiences.
Guilt: Oftentimes, guilt gets in the way of letting go of sentimental stuff (as in the case with my teddy bear). Perhaps someone has given you a family heirloom and you feel obligated to keep it. Maybe you were given a gift from a friend that you feel guilty for getting rid of. You may also feel guilty about getting rid of something because of how much money you spent on it or because the item is still in perfectly good useable condition.
Representing the past: It is so easy to hold on to stuff from your past life. For example, I have a lot of craft items stored away that haven’t been touched in years. Maybe you used to have a hobby that you loved in the past but haven’t enjoyed it for years. Chances are you’re not going to pick it up again.
Waiting for “someday” More than likely “someday” has been dragging on for years and it’s not ever going to come. Don’t hold on to things just because you think you’ll pick it up again one day.
How to let it go
Acknowledge what’s worth holding on to While going through your items, ask yourself what exactly it is that you’re sentimental about. More than likely it’s not the object itself, but the person, time, or place it’s associated with. The memory will still be there even without the object, but if you just cannot part with the object, then there’s nothing wrong with keeping it.
Save an item virtually Documents and photos can be scanned and backed up as long as you don’t need the originals. Toys do not need to be saved, either as long as you have photos of your kids playing with them. Or consider making a photo book to keep memories in.
Donate notable items Do your research before you get rid of documents or photos that you received after the death of a loved one. Depending on who they were and where they live, the documents valuable to a local history museum.
Pass it on Consider handing over unwanted family heirlooms to another relative because they might be happy to keep it in the family. Also, it might just be something they’ve always wanted.
Put it in a box After the death of a loved one, put their things in boxes marked with question marks and save them to sort through after grieving. Give yourself at least 6 months or longer before sorting through the box.
Tell its story Grab a friend to help with sorting through things. Sometimes it helps just to tell someone the story behind the item and it may also help let it go.
Keep in mind that all the stuff doesn’t define who you are. Pass things along that you no longer need and hold onto the memories. It’s time to start a new chapter.
And remember: you can’t take it with you when you die.
What’s something you’re holding onto that your’re finding hard to let go of?
Michelle lives on a small homestead with her husband, daughter, 6 silly hens, 1 crazy rooster, 2 lazy cats, and 1 rescue dog. She loves DIYs, frugal living, crocheting, and reading. She's also a full-time proofreader.
I am the same way. Sometimes it just too hard to let go. Thank you for pinning!
Awe that is so sweet of your teacher! I pin your blog posts as well...
It was sweet of her. It was really touching! Thank you so much for pinning! That means a lot! :)
Somehow I accidentally posted as a reply to someone's comment above (Kinga K) instead of to the post. Sorry
Michelle, this post was perfect for me. We are thinking of selling our home in a few years and we realize it's time to start getting rid of stuff. I love the idea of taking a photo and then letting it go.. thanks
I'm so glad you found it helpful! Thank you so much for reading! I wish you all the best with selling your home when it's time! :)
This post is a good one for me! I do have trouble parting with sentimental objects. I find it interesting how you said that hanging onto them may prevent us from being open to new experiences. I never thought of it that way but I can see how that could be true! I also agree that, if the memory is important enough, you will keep the memory even when you let go of things.
I still keep a lot of sentimental items but try to limit myself so it doesn't get out of control. For example, I keep one small box of baby items per child. And one folder of school work per child, per grade.
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful. I have a few things, too and limit them. I was cleaning one day and came across a box of stuff that I had saved. Some things I had no idea why I saved them! There was no memory attached to it so I figured there was no reason to hang on to it. But some things are just too hard to let go of. :)
That is funny! Well, I guess if you can't remember why you saved the stuff, it would be easy to get rid of!
I too, am the type who holds on to sentimental stuff. It's like my battery in life
It is really hard to let go of some things. :) Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 19 for Cleaning and Organizing, open June 15 to 25. All party entries shared if social media buttons installed.
You're welcome! Thank you for hosting!
Thank you for your suggestions... but it's really difficult!
I completely agree! I still have a few things that I just can't bare to part with. :)
View Comments
I have a hard time getting rid of anything, especially something that is sentimental. These are great tips! I'm pinning!
Jill - Doused in Pink
I am the same way. Sometimes it just too hard to let go. Thank you for pinning!
Awe that is so sweet of your teacher! I pin your blog posts as well...
It was sweet of her. It was really touching! Thank you so much for pinning! That means a lot! :)
Somehow I accidentally posted as a reply to someone's comment above (Kinga K) instead of to the post. Sorry
Michelle, this post was perfect for me. We are thinking of selling our home in a few years and we realize it's time to start getting rid of stuff. I love the idea of taking a photo and then letting it go.. thanks
I'm so glad you found it helpful! Thank you so much for reading! I wish you all the best with selling your home when it's time! :)
This post is a good one for me! I do have trouble parting with sentimental objects. I find it interesting how you said that hanging onto them may prevent us from being open to new experiences. I never thought of it that way but I can see how that could be true! I also agree that, if the memory is important enough, you will keep the memory even when you let go of things.
I still keep a lot of sentimental items but try to limit myself so it doesn't get out of control. For example, I keep one small box of baby items per child. And one folder of school work per child, per grade.
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful. I have a few things, too and limit them. I was cleaning one day and came across a box of stuff that I had saved. Some things I had no idea why I saved them! There was no memory attached to it so I figured there was no reason to hang on to it. But some things are just too hard to let go of. :)
That is funny! Well, I guess if you can't remember why you saved the stuff, it would be easy to get rid of!
I too, am the type who holds on to sentimental stuff. It's like my battery in life
It is really hard to let go of some things. :) Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 19 for Cleaning and Organizing, open June 15 to 25. All party entries shared if social media buttons installed.
You're welcome! Thank you for hosting!
Thank you for your suggestions... but it's really difficult!
I completely agree! I still have a few things that I just can't bare to part with. :)
???