People hold on to different things for various reasons. Maybe an item belonged to a loved one who passed, or perhaps an item represents a childhood memory. Whatever the reason, some items can be hard to let go – scary even. Americans live in a society where one’s worth is based primarily on his or her material possession. It’s no wonder then that so many people struggle to let go of those things they don’t need but feel compelled to hold on to.
If you are one of those individuals who have a rental storage unit to hold the overflow of items that will not fit in your home, asking yourself the following three questions can help rationalize why you feel you need those extra things, and why it might be time to let them go.
Do You Really Need It?
Members of the Silent Generation, those who lived through the Great Depression, are famous for holding on to and collecting things “just in case.” Times were scarce between 1925 and 1945, and many people went without the basic life necessities, but America today is called the land of plenty for a reason. The fact that we live in a disposable society does not mean you shouldn’t hold on to things that you genuinely use or have a deep sentimental attachment to. But it does mean that if you have not used or looked at an item in the last six months, it is probably time to let it go. Should the day ever come when you do need a similar item, the chances are that you will be able to find a replacement relatively quickly.
Will You Really Forget the Memory Attached to the Item?
Sentimental value. There are some things money just can’t buy – like memories. Sure, memories fade over time, but so do the things attached to them. If you can say that you love an item wholeheartedly and the memory attached to it, then keeping it is not a bad thing. But if you are holding on to an item just because it was a gift from someone and you don’t want to seem rude, then letting it go is the right thing to do. Chances are the person who gave you that electric tennis racquet bug zapper probably doesn’t even remember they gave it to you.
What Will You Gain by Letting It Go?
Much like the widow who keeps her husband’s suits still hanging in the closet as they did when he was alive, sometimes the memories attached to items can be painful, yet because the person they remind us of was so important to us, we cannot seem to justify letting them go. Particularly in the case of deceased loved ones, keeping their belongings can be a constant reminder of the pain of their death. Finding a new home for those items can be a way of passing their legacy along while easing the pain of their loss.
Sorting through, and letting go of material possessions can be an overwhelming task for most people, and we understand that. Our staff here at My Divine Concierge are highly attuned to the sensitive nature of the attachments held by our clients. We are specialists in helping our customers make the best decisions for their situation when it comes to downsizing clutter and excess. Contact us today to see how we can assist you in your efforts to de-clutter your home.