Do you want to get rid of things but just can’t seem to do it? I’ve been thinking about what makes it so difficult to just move on. Here are two main reasons why we save stuff, and how to get passed them.
1. We’re worried that we might want to use an item…someday
My five year old has a “junk drawer” filled with all sorts of little “treasures” he finds out in the yard, favors he brings back from birthday parties and keepsakes from pre-school. As children, we’re driven by instinct to do this. But as we get older these instincts turn into habits and we can easily rationalize saving all sorts of random items. And before we know it, our “junk drawer” has turned into a “junk room.” And I know I’m not the only one convincing myself that: “I may need that thing…someday…for some reason…under some random circumstance…just in case…”
Well, rationalize with these thoughts instead.
- We live in a world where virtually everything is accessible. If your item becomes useful later, it will likely be available again. And if you really want and need it, you WILL find a way to get it.
- The amount of freedom a barely-used object takes away, no matter how small, is not worth the baggage. You will gain so much more flexibility and peace of mind by keeping only the things you know you are going to use.
2. Things have sentimental value and take us back to a memory.
This is predominantly what saving things is about to me. Not being able to let go. Fear of losing the past or a memory.
This fear seems to stem from a lack of trust in your memory. So please be reminded of this fact: Memories can exist solely on their own. Understanding this makes it easier to detach from physical items. Trust yourself to conjure up memories when they need to be and when you want them. You do not need a physical object to hold on to a memory.
You may also ask yourself these questions when thinking about your sentimental items:
- “If I get rid of this item, aren’t I disrespecting the person who gave this to me?”
- “This item has served me well for so long, does it deserve to be thrown out?”
- “Can I really go my whole life without seeing this ever again?”
This is how I’ve learned to rationalize these thoughts. If my item (car, chair or baby blanket) really did have these feelings and was a living being, it would want me to be happy. Not have me weighed down! It would have a better purpose than that. I am actually disrespecting my things by leaving them laying around, without use, trapped merely to serve my memories.
You can do it!
