Step #34: Think about why you hang onto things

Memory Clutter
For the sentimentalists among us, memory clutter is the hardest type to get rid of. Certain things remind us of special times (high school, college) or special people (relatives, our kids when they were babies. The key is to select a few things to hold onto that have special meaning and toss the rest.

Things are not a substitute for memories. Often this is the case when hanging on to items that once belonged to special people who are now deceased. When it comes to family heirlooms and memorabilia, do you love it enough to display it within your home? Does it have a place of honor? If not, it may be time to part ways. Tell all family members you can no longer store Grandma’s collection of doilies at your home and give them ample opportunity to take it off your hands. Then, your conscience will be clear.

• Create a Memory Album
This works well for kids’ artwork. Instead of hanging on to each “masterpiece;” consider a photo album of their art and keep only a few of their drawings instead. Photograph them with their art to create a reference point for how old they were when they created it as well.

• Shadowboxes/Framed Art
If your grandmother was a great cook, consider framing or shadowboxing one of her handwritten recipes along with one of her doilies or hand-stitched tea towels with a photo of her in the kitchen.

“I Might Need It” or “I Paid So Much for It!” Clutter
If you’re living the frugal life, you realize the value in hanging on to what you have because it would be costly to replace it. However, when you cling to things you really aren’t using, you’re projecting an energy of lack, or want. There is a fine line between the “waste not, want not” mentality and one of a pack rat. The key is learning how to balance the two. If you really do need an extra pot holder, semi-dressy sweater or book on gardening one day, would you be able to replace it? If the answer is yes, consider getting rid of it and you’ll shift your energy to that of abundance.

All those things you’re storing in your home come with a price, and it isn’t the price you paid when you bought them. That boat sailed long ago. Your price is NOW paid in the time it takes to maintain them, the mental strain you experience every time you think about them, and the lost opportunity of what could be if you they were no longer around. Consider what you’d gain by getting rid of them, and if the benefit outweighs the price, then do it.

Assignment: What items in your own home are you having a hard time parting with? Why? Do they fall into once of the categories above?

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I haven't been finding too much that I am having trouble getting rid of. I have a tote that I have put some "memory" items in from when dd was a baby & I still add to that. Not a lot though. The most important thing in that tote is a baby blanket that my grama gave me when dd was born - it is one that she made when my dad was born & he used it. That certainly has a ton of value to it & there is no way that I am giving that up! I also have a blanket that my best friend since 2nd grade made for my dd when she was born. that was something special in that tote. I also have a t-shirt of my grandpa's (passed in '03) that I wear to bed still to this day - there are a few little, lets call them blemishes!LOL, but that stays too - I have just a few select things - but most of the stuff that we have is all stuff that is easily gotten rid of. DH nor myself will hold onto stuff just because it was too expensive, we just toss it into a sell/donate bin just as easily as a $2 item. (Although, dh does have every pair of skis that he has ever used ~ and dd's as well. But we are planning on putting those on the wall in a rec room when we get one - goes with my 2 yr plan to move)

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"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

I just hinted at this in another thread. I don't have either of those. I have the " I could get money for that and help with the finances." I think for me being a SAHM and not making very much income doing so, I feel like this is one way I can contribute. What's so hard about bringing items in for consignment? The problem is the consignment is no longer close to me and the one store doesn't give very much. I keep thinking I'll have a garage sale. yeah, with all my spare time. I would prefer then to give to someone who is in real need rather than Goodwill. which is weird since I shop at Goodwill? I think b/c growing up even thrift stores were too much money for my parents. I remember going with my mom to a house where some nuns lived. The entire first floor was full of clothes. Everything was free. People took what they needed. With 6 kids my mom usually came home with a box of clothes.
I remember one day when my mom came home from this place and we kids always ran to see what she got. well, today she was not letting us look but I got in there and found a stuffed bunny. I squealed as I saw it and asked if it was mine. My mom was not happy but she relented and let me have it. I found out later that that bunny was supposed to be an Xmas gift for me. Now she had to find another gift. I still have that bunny. I told my dh that that bunny goes in the grave with me. I want to be able to bring a smile to a child like that bunny gave to me. I know somewhere some little girl is holding onto the Dora doll we donated loving her like I loved that bunny. okay, now dh wants to know why I'm crying.

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

Books! I keep so many because I enjoyed reading them and may want to read them again. That and we keep all our old text from college as a refference But I think we are at the stage where we need to Pare them down again.

Alot of the stuff we keep is also because DH and I can't agree on if we should get rid of it or not. I don't see the point in having both a smothie machine and a blender.

Yes I too have the box of stuff from my childhood. I am not sure what to do with it. I keep it because I have the intention to do a memory book. I have some I have started yet at the same time I am not that interested in them anymore.

Many of my nick nacks are in my DDs room they have a place there so I still keep them

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma

Dh and I were "condensing" our closet clutter Sunday and honestly I do not know WHY I have half the things I do in there. I mean, I had some high school Team jerseys, volleyball knee pads, baby shower bags and ribbon, etc etc. I haven't thought about or used these things in years, and maybe for sentimental value I held onto them. But I did RELEASE them Sunday. I threw it all out. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the sentiment of "what used to be" but that is so not practical when you're fighting for closet space!

Dh also let go of his "if I gain that weight back again" sweaters and shirts. I promised him that would not happen ( I will see to it ~ he used to be big into body building and was bulky...it was gross) so he donated a TON of stuff to Goodwill yesterday!

We can walk around in our closet now! woo hoo.

hmmm...I wonder what else we can do in there....
Oops, wrong forum

I do have memory clutter, I fully admit it. There are some things I could get rid of, but I just outright refuse...for now. I am easing into the decluttering process (with moving I have no real choice ) So I am sure I will get to taking care of the 'memory clutter" soon.
Christy I did just get rid of too big clothing and some of my really small clothing (I kept the inbetween) See, it's all a process...baby steps...

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Memory clutter. Both of my grandmothers died in a short period of time. I was left some jewelry, crystal, candle holders and such. It feels wrong to sell the stuff and I can't give it away. It's all just put away for now. My family would be upset if I sold it and yet they don't want it. I just don't know what to do with memory clutter.

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

Kathryn I had the same thing happen with both my grandmothers going this past year. However, I looked at everything and seperated with what could be useable and what was purely decorative. Putting some of the little crystal bowls away in my kitchen has me using them. I just had DDs Birthday and was able to pull out and use 4-5 of them. I too couldn't sell it and the only people I would give it to are my kids. I now have my Grandmothers Sewing room looks like I need to just sit down and learn how to use it.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma

I used to collect and never throw out anything, but ever since I had my dd I don't feel the need to save EVERYTHING and now I only save the things that really mean something to my family.I think having her made me look at life with a different persepective (especially since I miscarried before I got pregnant with her0.

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I'm guilty of having sentimental clutter. It helps me to go back through things after a period of time passes, because then I'll get rid of more then.

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Michele