How to Get Rid of Things: Understanding The Sentimental Mind

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When I was quite young, probably around 8, I climbed up into our house’s attic and came across piles of my old toys. I felt washed over in happy memories and if I hadn’t been a sentimental guy before then, I certainly was after. Ever since, I’ve loved coming across objects that allow me to relive experiences and hated getting rid of things.

Unfortunately, this is a habit that is keeping me from more important things I want in my life like flexibility, organization, a kickass work environment, reduced mental burden and a focus on what actually matters.

I’ve wanted to pare down for awhile, but struggled with it. I finally took my recent move as an opportunity to figure out how to overcome this pestering obstacle. By the end, I cleared out all but a few books, 6 bags of clothing (that spanned at least 10 years!) and endless other gizmos, gadgets and souvenirs. Great success!

What I discovered is that although clearing out junk is a physical act, the barriers to doing it are predominantly mental.

Why Get Rid of Things?

As you know if you’ve read about what I learned when I fell in love with piano scales, I think figuring out the whys is the first step to success in any endeavor. For years, I had no reason why when it came to getting rid of things – and I didn’t. So, why did I now?

People like myself live in the their memory’s clutter for years upon years and become numb to the drag it adds to their life. It slows you down, cramps you up. It makes it hard to move and hard to work. It means you’re stuck where you are because transplanting yourself to a better environment would just be much too much hassle.

It means your brain is trying to track all of the objects floating through your life but, unable to do so, it just wastes energy on empty brain loops as it tries to mentally collect and connect all the various pieces.

It means incorporating new, important objects into your life is more difficult because space has to be found or made for it.

Why should it be difficult to add important things into our life just because it’s hard to rid ourselves of old things? Why should we hesitate to purchase a new, genuinely useful book simply because our old, stagnating ones are consuming all the space?

All of these issues are solved simply by cutting ties with the stuff weighing me down. These are my reasons why, you’ll no doubt find many of your own.

Why Save Things?

What about the other side of the issue? Could understanding why we save things help us get rid of things?

Most of the time I don’t keep things because I use them – after all, we really only use so much in our lives at a given time. There are two main reasons we save things:

1. We’re worried that, no matter how unlikely, we might want to use them someday.

This makes sense evolutionarily speaking. Resources are limited. Saving potentially valuable tools and items is critical for survival in a world of scarcity.

From the moment I could walk I gathered up any piece of metal I found on the street, hoarding them all to build with later. It was essentially instinct for me to do this, but as I grew older I became more aware of how quickly my mind could rationalize saving these random pieces of junk – and I know I’m not the only one.

Though it may not be the case forever, most reading this currently live in a world of incomprehensible abundance. The amount of freedom a barely-useful object takes away, no matter how small, is not worth the baggage. If it becomes useful later, it will likely be available again, at least in essence.

2. Things have sentimental value – they are an anchor to a memory of a past event.

This is predominantly what saving things is about to me. Not being able to let go. Fear of losing the past completely.

But fear is never the right guide. When I realize I’m being lead by fear, I try to replace it with curiosity and trust.

New Mentality #1: Trust in Yourself

Justifying keeping things on these terms has very rarely served me well. It seems to stem from a lack of trust in my memory and, in a greater sense, myself and the world.

Realizing that my memories exist solely on their own helped me realize that I can trust myself to conjure them up when they need to be and made it easier to detach from the things themselves.

Even more important than my memories is what I’m actually doing now – to trust in my ability to live each day to its fullest and be making new great memories. No surprise here: getting rid of things makes that a lot easier.

A final aspect is trusting that the world will always have what I need and that I will always be capable of doing what I need to get it. This can mean many things but ultimately comes down to letting go of hoarding tons of stuff just because it might be useful someday.

New Mentality #2: Things Want to Be Used

I personify all of my objects. On our first trip to Lebanon as a family when I was 9, our camera got stolen. I cried and cried. Why would losing an object have such an emotional impact on me?

Because I imagined it lonely, away from it’s family, in the hands of some undeserving impostor, mistreating it. I don’t quite go that extreme anymore, but it is still part of what I have to deal with when I get rid of things:

“Man, this has served me so well for so many years, does it really deserve to be thrown away?”
Or the other end of the spectrum “I never really put this to use the way it deserved, shouldn’t I hang on to it a bit more?”
“Is someone else going to care about this the way I did?”
“Can I really go my whole life without seeing this ever again?!”

All of these thoughts ran through my head when I was recently selling my pick-up truck. I loved that truck. It served me well but lately I hadn’t been using it much. For awhile I was thinking about storing it somewhere and then I realized:

If my truck really were a living creature, it’s purpose would be to be used. Not to weigh me down.

I realized I am disrespecting my things by leaving them laying around, dormant, trapped merely to serve my memories. They have a purpose that I’m holding them back from.

Not everyone needs to get rid of stuff, but some people want to and just can’t seem to do it. Some people would want to if they realized it was possible at all. Most start by just digging in, but I think it’s worthwhile to think about what’s going on in your mind that’s making it so difficult. Figuring out the Whys and working out from there is usually a pretty good way to start.

That being said, once you’ve got that figured out, the next step is to devise methods that side-step those barriers. In my next article, I’ll talk about a few I’ve used.

Some things we’d all love to hear about:

Would your life be better of if you had less stuff? Why?
Why do you have the things you have?
If you’re good at getting rid of crap you don’t need, what is the fundamental mentality that drives your behavior? What runs through your head as you throw something into the trashcan?

Leave a Comment

http://twitter.com/VeganFoody Angie Wilkes

One tip I received a while ago – if an object has great sentimental value to you, then take a photograph of it before you sell it or give it to charity. That way you still keep your memories with you, but in a nice compact format. After all, it isn't generally the object that we love, it is the memories attached to the object that we are afraid of losing.
http://islandmomma.wordpress.com Islandmomma

I can identify and understand everything you say. Over recent years since this truth began to dawn on me, I've been surprised at just what I've been able to let go. I have two thoughts: One is that I am the mother of boys, and I think that they have less sentimental attachment to things than girls do. I am reasonably sure that had I been the mother of girls I would have been thinking of keeping things to hand down more. The other thing is that I am finding it impossible to let go of the things like pictures the boys drew for me when they were little, Christmas cards they have sent me over the years, little ornaments they bought me years back. I surprised myself when I got rid of their christening gown; my expensive watch, which I really loved (but as my eyesight gets worse as I get older, to be honest I could only see the face properly in a good light!) and other bits and pieces, but these fading bits of paper, these ceramic dolphins and these childrens' books with crumbling spines are another matter entirely. Next time I travel I will very likely be paying storage for these things which mean nothing to anyone other than me.
bemorewithless

Hi highly recommend “shooting your stuff” as Angie suggests. You can save the digital files and at some point make a printed book and include more description about the item or memory it evokes. Most of our sentimental stuff is stored in boxes and we don't get to see it that often. A digital image might serve the purpose better than the actual item in terms of reviving a happy memory.
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Angie,

Thanks for your comment and you're absolutely right! My next post is about taking this theory and finding practical techniques to apply it – take photos is on the list!

Photos were a huge part of what allowed me to clear out so many of the trinkets I'd kept over the years.

The funny thing is that now that I've got all those pictures, I'm not quite sure what to do with them. Any ideas or experience on that front? 🙂

Thanks!
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Wow, I cannot even imagine how difficult it must be to get rid of your kids' creations – that's got to be one of the most difficult by far.

I recently invested in a Fujitsu ScanSnap to scan any important sketches, notes and papers into Evernote. It has been pretty revolutionary for me. I wonder if something along those lines might allow you to preserve their art?

Even writing this, I have to remind myself that it's probably much more meaningful for kids to be making art than remembering it!

Thanks for sharing!
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Once I make the printed book, can I take a picture of that and then get rid of it? =D

I actually like this thought because you have pictures of all your thoughts and then distill those down to do something nice with just the most important ones.

The other interesting thought is that by taking a picture, you're actively choosing the best angles/perspectives to view something from. As you mention, it may even create better memories.

Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Sharoninavolvo

I am sooo bad at this & have read about it a lot over the years–I'm better tho', because I know I can't get rid of stuff ever since everyone (or it felt like everyone) died in my family when I was a kid, then I had kids & I kept their stuff too…
But thankfully, I guess, we started moving – big Int'l moves too – & if I had a good place for something to go to I could get rid of it (like the Goodwill or a school or a recycle bin or some such like that…)
I try to keep things because they're useful or fun, but I have sentimental stuff in storage, I have stuff because I moved & collected them, I like art stuff, I write I collect papers for that, I collected seashells, etc (it's a continual work in progress & age is actually helping this?!)
To answer your first question I would say Yes–less stuff, less weight (or that old saying of “you can't take it with you” (as in when you're dead & gone right?!)
I have also only recently discovered Evernote & I have not gotten to where I have scanned papers to keep–at least the photos are now mostly digital, it's those old photographs that will take some doing (which they're in storage right now…)
Thank you for your article, I needed another Kick in the Butt – will look forward to your next one on how to deal with this, I “understand” a lot of why I keep stuff…
Now on to getting rid of more stuff, before someone else has to do it for me (which I don't want to get to that point, that's not fair & that's when stuff will hit the trashcan because no one will want to deal with it?!)
All & all I still don't look like anyone that's been on the Clean Sweep TV show–they all have more junk than I ever had, so I feel better when I watch that show for sure?! ;o)
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http://minimalistjourney.com Mark Savage

Sincerely enjoyed this, Nicky. When I started paring down, sentimentality wasn’t much of a hurdle for me, but I know it can be the main obstacle for so many people.

I loved hearing an insider’s perspective and am honestly surprised it hasn’t gotten more attention. I’m gonna broadcast this to my folks; they will really benefit from it.

Great writing. Thanks for being here,
Mark
Pingback: Clear the sentimentality hurdle and conquer the biggest obstacle to decluttering — GoMinimalist.com
Kim

I think that when I hoard things, I’m placing my heart on the things on the earth rather than on things above. (See Colossians 3:1-3)

We shouldn’t encourage materialsm in the name of sentimentality.
Kim

I think that when I hoard things, I’m placing my heart on the things on the earth rather than on things above. (See Colossians 3:1-3)

We shouldn’t encourage materialsm in the name of sentimentality.
Kim

I think that when I hoard things, I’m placing my heart on the things on the earth rather than on things above. (See Colossians 3:1-3)

We shouldn’t encourage materialsm in the name of sentimentality.
Kim

I think that when I hoard things, I’m placing my heart on the things on the earth rather than on things above. (See Colossians 3:1-3)

We shouldn’t encourage materialsm in the name of sentimentality.
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Interesting, Kim. Another way I would say it is to focus on internal, rather than external things. Things that connect to the core of who I am.
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Hey man,

A bit slow on the response but thanks so much for the kind words and sharing the article!

If I may ask, what were the hurdles for you in paring down?

-Nicky
http://minimalistjourney.com Mark Savage

You’re welcome, Nicky.

My main hurdle was getting used to the idea that I could make do with less. I lived most of my childhood and adult life with everything I wanted, and I wanted a lot.

Now, though, what I want and what I need are very similar. And that required a big change in perspective.

Mark
http://www.expatyourself.com Jeff

Yes – I so agree. I just wrote about how to move overseas….well, more specifically how to pack minimalist style for a move overseas.

Every bit of our stuff comes down to 3 choices. You have focused on one of them.

I’m with you – Get. Rid. Of. The. Glut.

-Jeff
Jackie4mail

Just wanted you to know, I’ve had this bookmarked for quite a while. I think it’s one of the best articles I’ve seen on the topic. Personally, I’m still embroiled in a costly battle to whittle down my possessions. This is inspirational, and helps me to stay on the right path.
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Thanks so much for your comment, Jackie. I haven’t been writing much lately so hearing that this has been useful to you inspires me as well.

Best of luck in your battle with your possessions, I’d love to hear more about it as you delve further!

-Nicky
Ken Boyer

I am really trying right now to achieve this goal in my own life. I spent way too much time over the past couple of years going through my parents’ house cleaning things out. They were hoarders of the highest degree; both children of the Great Depression. Hoarding makes you live in the past (sentimentality) and the possible future (maybe I’ll use this someday) at the expense of the present. Great article!
Pat

Right now I’m working my way through a basement of stuff. Kid’s stuff, ex-husband’s stuff, my stuff and stuff that I don’t even know where it came from. I am a child of Depression era parents and, unfortunately, some of their “stuff-itis” has been generously bestowed on me. I do find that the more I get rid of, the better I feel. My own personal demons are movies, books, and music. I’ve pretty much realized that I can’t (read won’t) get rid of all of it, but I set goals – 20 books, a third of the magazines, 20 video tapes, etc and I usually find that I exceed that goal consistently ( over-achiever much?). Plus a list of chores that I’ve completed also helps. I find that being able to check off something on the list is very satisfying.

I found this while taking a break and looking for a little internet inspiration to get rid of more stuff. Good article – good job!
Xvelouriaxx

I like your ideas except for this:
“If my truck really were a living creature, it’s purpose would be to be used. Not to weigh me down.”
No living creature’s purpose is “to be used”. That’s called exploitation and it has detrimental effects on the environment, not to mention the ethics involved. Your things are not living creatures, so their purpose can be “to be used” and it’s all right. You have a lot of good ideas here that I will apply to my present pursuit of purging the crap from my life, but this one sentence just bugged me!
http://blog.tumbledesign.com/ Nicky Hajal

Xvelouriaxx,

That is an incredibly interesting observation of my wording! Thanks for bringing it up.

I have to say I agree with you when I read it your context, but thinking through my original thought process, I believe that I was approaching it from another way.

When I sentimentalize my objects, they become creatures to me. That’s what creates the attachment and the sense of loss at the thought of getting rid of them.

So from that point it helps me to consider:

1. Objects have a purpose and exist to serve others
2. If an object were a creature that could feel desire, it would want to be used for its purpose

Sure, no real creature has the purpose of being used. But if objects were creatures, as they sometimes feel to me, then it helps to consider that their purpose would be just that.

Let me know if you have any more thoughts!

-Nicky
miJa421

….WOULD MY LIFE BE BETTER OFF IF I HAD LESS STUFF? ”HECK YEAH BIG TIME” THE LESSER IN MY LIFE THE MORE I CAN ACCOMPLISHES IN MY LIFE…. I CANT HOLD ONTO OLD THINGS FROM MY PAST ANY MORE. IT’S TAKING UP ROOM. BESIDES IT’S NOT HEALTHY. PLUS+ WE ALL NEED TO MAKE ROOM FOR SPACE & OPPORTUNITY. HOLDING ON TO THE PAST IS LIKE LIVING IN THE PAST, THERE IS NO PRESENT LIFE AND YOU HAVE NO FUTURE! “PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH”421
Donnagrant365

Brilliant, I have a friend who took photos before donating her things and photos don’t take up nearly as much room.
Chris

I just got back from 15 months of travel from Northern Canada to the Southern Amazon by land. One of the main reasons that I came back to where i was born was to see the cycle complete, and come back to my past. Needless to say when I got back to CA i came back to all my things that i shoved in storage at my familys houses. They are not to happy about keeping my stuff, even though they said it would be OK. I want to travel again, but i dont think that the stress of it all is worth it to anyone. (Plus i loaded all that crap on my back!!) Then i started thinking about if the stress worth the enjoyment of it? How much have i used it in the last year, 5 years or even 10+ years!? Do i really need a storage unit for it? How much am i willing to pay for things that mean nothing to anyone else but me and i dont even use it?

To get some inspiration i Googled “Stuff”. I watched old 1985 George Carlin’s Youtube comedy on Stuff, i found this article, and i found the story of stuff.

Being a backpacker, i have to carry everything on my back and even the littlest of things start adding up. Even just little pieces of paper in my pocket became a nuisance after 4 miles. Now coming back to the world of 9-5 Cookie Cutter America and Burning Man, I’m in a sitcom of wonder looking at all of it.

People ask me “So, how was it?” And i barely know how to answer. I guess in a few words i could say “Life Changing”

I think that the Ayawaska helped too.

Thanks Grandma!

I was even taking notes on this article and by the end i just recycled it.
Rico

Fine article Nicky – i identified far too closely with some of it! You have good strategies for getting beyond the stasis.

Caught up in our culture and idioms, i didn’t pick up on the point Xvelouriaxx made at first. But it’s right on. Your explanation made sense, though i still find the reasoning uncomfortable: ‘If an object were a creature that could feel desire, it would want to be used for its purpose.’ If it could feel desire, who’s to say what its desire would be? What i think you mean, though, is, ‘i imagine it as wanting… ‘

The reason this is significant, is that animals in society today do have the legal status of objects – as property. Obviously they aren’t objects, and society and the law make *some* effort to recognize that, but they’re still property, and the majority we legally own have the ‘purpose of being used.’ Even those we don’t own at first – such as fish and other creatures caught in the sea – become our property once they’re captured.

Anyway, thanks again for a very insightful, practical article.
Acraftyone

I am embarking on a journey of getting real about my possessions. This was my first stop. Thanks for helping me begin…to clarify.
Ddd

Constant battle. I realize stuff is holding me back from life. I do not want to collect items any longer. I want to collect memories, experiences instead. Stuff just holds you back from what is really important. Working on decluttering my life and nit waste any more time.
Theatrefreak28

Thank you. Thank you so much. I’m crying so much right now cuz everybody told me (especially my dad) to get rid of some of my old stuff. My mom was okay with it for a while but now she thinks I’m acting weird too.
But thank you. I knew I wasn’t the only one who personified my stuff. Every stuff, every toy, everything I’ve owned I’ve probably connected to almost all of them. And the phrase I thought was the EXACT same as yours.
“They have served me and made me happy or years. After all of that how could I throw them away as if nothing’s happened, as if they’ve never helped me, as if they’ve never existed..”
And I seriously don’t want to get rid of them. My mom has suggested the photo thing, but that doesn’t change anything. You’re still clinged to that object.
But maybe one day I could. Maybe one day I could give away all my toys and clothes to charities. But even the thought of that makes me cringe. I.. i just love what you wrote because I don’t feel like a freak anymore, after all those words from my close ones that DID make me feel like a freak. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone. <3
Anonymous

Ditto on the “I might need that someday” and the “oh but it reminds me of…” Its emotional in some cases, flawed practicality in others. I just sent 14 pairs of jeans to the goodwill some were “Oh they are still like new, or I might need them for if I paint my house, or if I lose a couple lbs, or for a costume, or if boot cut ever come back in style.” Others were “oh that’s the pair I bought in Europe, or that’s the pair that I wore on the date with so and so.” Ugh its maddening to have to fight your sub conscious, probably why so many of us let the battles gather dust in the closet.
Melefurtney

I really appreciate your thoughts on this topic. I especially like: “I realized I am disrespecting my things by leaving them laying around, dormant, trapped merely to serve my memories. They have a purpose that I’m holding them back from.” What a wonderful way to let go of things which have served me, but could be relased to serve others!
Gce23

You may be my new mentor and psychologist! Thanks for giving me some new ideas on how to “declutter.” (I just turned 70 and find “things” too important to throw away.)
Heres2thekids

Advice I need to take seriously! Big moves, big changes coming up. There are a few things I can’t seem to part with, even thought they are just things. Recently a friend suggested a 30 day box…I have one week to decide. Now if I can just remember what I used in the past thirty days…, lol! Love the photo taking idea! Great ideas and thoughts. Thank you.
Sujata Syamal

1. This post is brilliant and insightful. I came across it while googling ways to get rid of things since I’m downsizing like mad.
2. For me it’s mostly clothes, books, and shoes. Haven’t quite figured out what to eliminate yet.
3. I’m a neat freak and I immediately throw out papers or things that are not needed. This reduces the time to get emotionally attached to things which helps in the declutter process.
4. Additionally, in terms of food hoarding–I only purchase what I will eat in a particular week and no more other than cereal.
Ciara2015

wow that’s soo inspirational. You see it’s so hard for people to understand why i want to get rid of so many things because I’m only 15. They think that I’m way mature for my age…..I just wish there was someone around here that felt the same as you and me!! well i will continue the battle to get rid of possessions and my parents being ok with it. Thanks for the wonderful article!! 🙂
http://www.facebook.com/barbara.eberly.7 Barbara Eberly

I am coming to a place in my life where I want to pare down to the essentials, but when I think of my “stuff” I believe anything I now have will cost more later if I should decide I need it again. I live in a small place (condo) so I don’t have the luxury of extra space. I make feeble attempts at getting rid of clothes, for instance, and get rid of about 7% of them. I know when I pared down in the past, I felt so free and unencumbered. I saved this site so I can use it as a guideline to get VERY serious and courageous about making changes.
Ross

Great article. Glad I found this. I’ve been getting rid of a lifetime of collecting and find this article empowering. Thanks Nicky. RK
Gail

Everyone has written you two years ago…but I just read this article and found it soooo helpful. I always wondered why I kept things…my husband and kids say get rid of it and so I have. Every month I bag up clothes and stuff for the Salvation Army. I even hate shopping now…so I don’t. That has helped.

But I have also kept a good deal too. So why do I STILL keep a lot. You hit it on the head for me…sentimentality… I really do like looking at past toys or artwork and think about what a fun time my kids had playing with that… I remember when they made that artwork. It was precious to see them concentrating on that artwork. They were free. So now I have their Halloween creations. They go on the walls for Halloween. Some are pretty tattered and don’t go up anymore. I just like looking at them. It reminds me of when they were young and sweet. Sounds like an empty nester. Yes. I miss those little ones. Sometimes I think I might enjoy recreating some of their clever work…sort of like reprints.. Smile. I think I would enjoy doing artwork!!! Maybe that would help me over this hurdle. Maybe not. Go for it and see??? Then I may have two to save! 🙂 It just really helps to understand what is happening. So thank you!
Sage

I just read this today and it is very helpful, but… and I CANNOT believe I am saying this, but I have just called the Salvation Army to intercept their driver because I put 2 toys in their drop-off box yesterday that I actually CRIED about last night. My daughters are 15, 13, and 8. These toys were my 2 oldest’s favorites when they were 6 and 4. I am usually the first one to throw something out, but for some ridiculous, absurd reason, I need those 2 stupid toys back.
S.A. in Tucson

A messy childhood can lead to this problem – I was a child of repeatedly broken homes. All the moves, the custody fights, constantly adjusting to new schools, abuse from step-parents: it all leaves a child feeling completely insecure and vulnerable and depleted. I developed large collections of items that I insisted I had to have, and spent a great deal of time and space and energy displaying them in my room (wherever that was). I became the human equivalent of a hermit crab, trying to build a giant shell of stuff to keep me safe. At well over thirty, I still wrangle with this problem and have only the past year or two begun to make some decent progress.
Ms Clutter

I have read a lot of articles on de-cluttering and this one mentioned slightly the personifying act of objects. Very little advice on that. I can’t de-clutter more as a result of worrying the item will be sad, separated from other items, etc. The sentimental aspect is less of a worry. Crazy I know! I want a valid and OBJECTIVE, scientific explanation that things are not and do not have feelings.

That Toy Story movie is exactly what I am talking about LOL

Please address this aspect of clutter.

Thank you!
Liz

I am going to get rid of all of my video games since I haven’t played them in years. I want to get rid of most of the N64 games. Because this is the family’s system, my brother won’t let me get rid of some titles due to the fact that he “might” play them in the future. I said the same thing too many years ago.
Fai

I would recommend scrapbooking. While scrapbooking CAN be a space-stealing monster (if you collect too many materials), it can also move all your photos into nicely-organized groups, in a format that fits neatly in a square space – scrapbooks themselves are a standard size and you could no doubt find a box that fits a certain number of scrapbooks.

You can cut the photos down, cut out pictures of objects, etc – and put multiple items on a page which are related. Maybe you have awards from high school that you received. Put all your trophies and medals, or pictures from high school, in the same part of the book. If you did a sport, same thing: you can have a page showing photos from your time with the team, as well as photos of any awards they might have won.

If you have items you had kept from one person, such as a grandparent, you can put photos of those items all together. Maybe you even have some flat items, like a handkerchief or a letter – those can go in the scrapbook as well. You can get flat pockets to stick in the book (or just glue an envelope to a page) to put small flat items in. I would recommend dedicating just a few pages at most to each person, time, or place. Put the most important things there, so you can open the book and really get the feeling you want from it.

Decorate the pages in a way appropriate to the pictures on them. I’d recommend only buying small quantities of scrapbooking supplies, and only when you see something that’s just right for a page you’ve been building. Scrapbooking itself, like I said, can be a space eater, and I know a lot of people end up using more space than they saved, just storing their supplies!
I’m considering doing some scrapbooking to make a home for some photos and get rid of some items from back in high school, and I’m thinking I’ll just make a single book, and as far as I’m concerned, anything that doesn’t fit will not be important enough to hang onto.
-Fai
Catherine

When I’m scared of deleting something, I say “I’m over it” and it’s gone.
Leesa

It is so hard to get rid of things. I finally did and sometimes I’ve regretted getting rid of an object but I can’t keep it all. I have 3 kids, and I can’t keep everything they make for example. It was hard to let go. So I started taking pictures of some of the stuff. I got rid of my childhood trophies over 10-20 years ago, I took photos of it so I’ll have it as a memory. TIP: I had a bunch of letters that I wrote to friends that I kept, or letters given to me etc., I chose never to read them but just toss them BC I didn’t want to have a regret. I can’t explain but it gave me freedom when I did that. I’m learning. Still hard.
Leesa

Same here. Constant battle, but I keep doing it, because stuff holds me back and wastes time.
http://twitter.com/planboy david weaver

Completely agree. I got rid of one item I owned every day for a year. (WhatIGotRidofToday.com) The clarity and focus this provided was astounding.
Forever packing

I have major issues getting rid of stuff. I used to sew a lot and do crafts and beadwork, etc. All of those things were favorite hobbies. I learned them all from my Mother. She was a heavy crafter. Heavy. She also did quilting. She had a craft room too, that she would spend hours in making beautiful things! When she died, I got every single item she had in that apartment. I was overwhelmed with grief, so, stored it all in my two car garage to go through later. I then moved 3 months later and ended up moving all those boxes to the new house to go through “later” because I had just had a hip replacement. It was impossible for me to let go. After 4 years, I went out and started in. I didn’t get that far, and spent the rest of the day crying. I have now moved from that house to an apartment, and have two storage units I pay for. I go and try to get rid of a few boxes at a time when I can. I hate doing it because I hate dealing with the grief. There are some days though, when I want to just walk away from my whole life and start over anew, leaving everything I own behind. But, I know I can’t, so, I go through a few boxes here and there, knowing ONE day, I’ll be done. I HAVE learned though, that I would like to get rid of as much as I can of my own stuff so my children won’t have to do this themselves when I die. It’s horribly painful.