THROWAWAY THOUGHTS

Holding onto stuff is what’s wasteful, not getting rid of it. Things take up space, they take time to maintain and they create stress by making it hard to find other things.

Organising things into labelled boxes doesn’t help if you don’t have anywhere to put the boxes.

Things have a sentimental value because they hold memories, not because of what they are in themselves. Holding something in your hands is a shortcut to revitalising memories, but it’s just as easy to remember someone through a piece of jewellery than a bulky, 19th century sideboard. (I’m still debating a sea-green dress with handsmocking that my mother wore when she was about 10 years old.)

A “halfway house” can help. If you really can’t issue a decree, put the offending item in a box and put it away in a high cupboard or garden shed or anywhere else out of sight. If, six months later, you can’t remember what you boxed up and stored, ditch the contents without fear of regret.

Give things away mindfully. Your treasures deserve better than being stuffed into plastic bags and tossed out with the weekly rubbish. The need for decent furniture and household items is widespread, and you won’t be sorry when a van and two sturdy movers drive off with things that will be welcomed into their new home before the end of the day.

Allow yourself one chest of mementoes. It doesn’t have to be big. Just big enough to keep those bundles of old love letters, if you must.

Turn to coffee for strength or herbal tea for balm. Don’t touch the whisky, or mawkish sentimentality will overwhelm you and that will prove counter-productive.