How do I let go of sentimental objects?

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“How do you bring yourself to let go of unneeded sentimental objects?”

Let me start by saying I love objects—trinkets from travels, notes from friends, handmade gifts and everything in between. I do, however, think they should serve a purpose (a purpose beyond taking up space in a drawer, on a shelf, etc.). I’m not going to get all Marie Kondo on you and say that everything should “spark joy,” because when I look around at what I’ve filled my home with, objects spark both joy and indifference, and I think that’s quite alright! (Please don’t come for me, Kondo.)

“The most important thing to remember—which I must remind myself often—is that you can still have the memory without the object.”

Letting go of things is hard. Let’s all agree on that off the bat. Getting rid of objects we’ve attached some personal story to? Even harder! The most important thing to remember—which I must remind myself often—is that you can still have the memory without the object. The brain is a beautiful organ, and it will hang onto the memories it wants to hang onto, regardless of whether or not you have a physical token to kickstart your nostalgia. By getting rid of the object, you’re not ridding yourself of the significance attached nor the memory from when you received it—you’re clearing out space for something new to come along.

Sentimental objects are often unneeded, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to need them. I’d like to think I ask myself these questions (and urge you to ask yourself, too) when considering what to toss and what to keep:

1. Is it handmade?

2. Does it serve a purpose?

3. Will it fit in a designated “sentimental sh*t” box?

4. How does it make me feel?

As someone who makes objects by hand, I’d hope that others attach the same sentimentality to handmade things as I do. I tend to place more emphasis on these items than store-bought gifts, and typically will hang onto them a little longer.

“As someone who makes objects by hand, I’d hope that others attach the same sentimentality to handmade things as I do.”

Purpose is such an eye-roll word, so use it loosely. This is where the designated “sentimental sh*t” box steps in. As a self-proclaimed Highly Sentimental Person™, I do hang onto maybe more than I should, but I keep it to one space! That space is my designated box. The shape and size are up to you, but I keep mine to a shoebox at maximum.

Also, consider the hierarchy of sentimentality. Did it come from an ex? A best friend? A family member? I’d rank the latter at the top, and the former at the bottom, meaning that if the relationship has ended, it’s time to let goooo. (I say this having just thrown out some polaroids of my college boyfriend and me, which I stumbled upon last week.) Life’s funny like that, isn’t it? Look who is taking their own advice!

With that in mind, I say take this all in stride, bit by bit, and allow for new things to come. You’ve got this! There’s no pressure to chuck everything at once.

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How do I let go of sentimental objects?

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