It’s OK to let go of things: Cherish memories more than objects

Would people describe you as a sentimental person? Do you have a difficult time clearing the clutter in your home because you hold on to items that connect you with someone? Maybe you still have a sweater that your grandmother gave you. You won’t ever wear it, nor have you in the past. Yet there it is, taking up space.

Maybe you have items around your house that a loved one gave you or made for you. Your children’s art projects over the years may be stacked up in boxes or piled in the closet. Maybe a friend gifted you an item for your home that no longer goes with your décor, but you treasure your friend. It can be tough to release these items when your heartstrings are attached, can’t it?

How can you honor the people in your life, past and present, without cluttering your home? What can you do to nurture your feelings while also taking care of your physical space?

One thing to remember is that these items are not the people you love. They may represent them in some way, but, even more important, these people are present in your mind, heart and spirit. They may even be with you on a regular basis physically, but you still feel compelled to hang onto certain things. The problem is compounded when loved ones die and leave even more items to you in their will.

Some struggle with this process from feelings of guilt, loyalty and obligation. They feel they are betraying the person. This is simply not true. It is OK to release items from your home while continuing to cherish memories and relationships. One strategy is to take photos of the items and store them that way. This takes up less space and allows you to revisit these things whenever you wish.

Be mindful of venturing into the arena of hoarding, which is an anxiety disorder. This may be another reason that letting go is so stressful. If you suspect you may be suffering from this condition, seek medical guidance.