Do you have a difficult time removing clutter from your home because you are worried you may regret getting rid of an object? You are not alone in that feeling. It is human nature to hold to the security that some objects bring to us. I grew up with parents that used to say to me "waste not-want not". Obviously that mentality stuck, and as I grew older, I would often hold on to things that may have proven useful in the future, even if at the moment, I had no use for it. That belief leads to holding on to antiquated objects that serve to clutter our lives, more than actually being useful.
I have three main ways that I get over the need to hold on to "stuff".
1. Can I replace it for less than $20 in the future if I absolutely realize I needed it?
I learned this trick from the minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus on their blog "The Minimalists". Basically if I am not using it, and the question arises if I may need it in the future, I just ask myself if I could replace it for 20 dollars or less. If the answer if yes, it is a definite "get rid of it" moment. It is that easy. I can actually say, I have not yet needed to replace anything I have gotten rid of.
2. If it is of sentimental value, take photos of it and let it go.
I do think that certain objects that are heirlooms or things that are inherited should never be gotten rid of unless you really don't ever even look at them or they are just stuff you hold on to "because" and you don't really even know why. What use are they to you in a box in the attic? Is it really that sentimental? Is it one of a ton of sentimental objects? At some point when everything feels sentimental, it is time to evaluate their true meaning to you. I have one medium sized box of a few special objects from my childhood. A ballerina music box my mother bought me when I passed my first ballet exam. Some old diaries that I wrote in as a young girl, and a few other things that bring back some memories. I know the memories are in my heart, but I just have a hard time letting those things go. And really, there is no need to, unless I planned on taking a trip around the world for the next 5 years. Which I am not.
I did have more objects, that I had memories of too. So, instead of keeping boxes, I took multiple photos of the objects and then gave them away. I actually look at the photos from time to time when scanning through my picture collection, and that is a lot more than I even did when they were in boxes. They still bring back the memories as strong as they did when they were in my possession
Try it and see, do this on a few "slightly sentimental" things and then look through the photos a couple of weeks later. If the photos suffice, give away the object.
3. The "I don't know" box.
I mentioned this one in a previous post. If you really are not sure what to do with the thing, then put it away out of your immediate space and revisit the box in a month. Ask yourself if you really missed it. If the answer is no...you know the drill. (You may need a couple of months to decide, even a year, but if after a year you still have no need, get rid of it.)
Whittling possessions down to the bare minimum is for many people a very emotional process. Cleaning out my plastic container drawer was totally not emotional...well, yes, I suppose it was emotional. I was joyous tossing and recycling most of my old plastic containers that were way past their prime. I replaced them all with a few pyrex glass storage containers. They will last a long time, and not get all gross and stained from leftover pasta and tomato sauce. (I know it has happened to you) I have 11 glass containers now with matching lids. The drawer is clean and organized. It is actually a miracle...I have never seen my plastic container drawer so perfect in my life. (Small achievements make me happy.)
Good luck with your minimizing, Please share your tips on how you deal with sentimental objects.
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