So I have convinced you that living with less will improve your life. You dove in and have had some success because I give amazing advice, but there have been a few roadblocks along the way. What about those little mementos that hold so much meaning and emotion, yet clutter up our homes and minds with their mere presence? It can be tough to part with these items, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to make space for the present and future.
Every situation is different. We all run our houses with our own flare. We all have a different level of comfortability with stuff vs. getting rid of stuff. It may even vary within your household. Although I have really good ideas and GREAT solutions for the use of space I may be a bit more comfortable with getting rid of stuff than you are. But that is ok because just like if I was working with you in your home, YOU get to decide and it has to work for YOU.
This is not a do this and this will happen (I find that very little in life is). But I can share with you…out of my expertise and experience some of the practices that have brought success throughout my journey with myself and my clients.
This will probably be a relatively slow and tedious task. So don’t be surprised if you are exhausted from making a bajillion emotional decisions. Decision fatigue is a real thing. Give yourself the room to feel and the grace to continue at your own pace.
“Emotions are tunnels. You have to go all the way through the darkness to get to the light at the end.” -Emily Nagoski
Now that we have the out of the way. Here are a few suggestions that have helped others that have embarked on this journey.
- Take a photo. If you’re having trouble parting with an item, take a photo of it instead. This way, you can still look back on the memory without having to physically store the item.
- Keep only the most meaningful items. It’s easy to hold onto everything that reminds us of the past, but try to limit yourself to the most special items. The ones that truly make you smile or hold the most significant memories. Create a memory box. If you’re not ready to part with a lot of sentimental items, consider creating a memory box. This way, you can keep everything in one place and it won’t take up as much space.
- Donate or gift items. Just because something is sentimental to you, doesn’t mean it will be to someone else. Consider donating or gifting items to friends or family members who may appreciate them more.
“The secret of health for both mind and body, is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but live in the present moment, wisely and earnestly.” – Buddha
So, whether it’s an old concert ticket stub or a childhood blanket, take some time to evaluate your sentimental items and decide which ones truly bring value to your life. Letting go can be tough, but it can also be incredibly liberating. Embrace the present and future by decluttering your past.