Comments on: Trying To Let Go

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:59:07 +0000

I know exactly how you feel!!! I used to have the same problem…but I’ve been working through it in the past few years…gradually eliminating clutter. You definitely can’t do it all at once. Something that helps me is taking a picture of the object…that way if I want to go back later and ‘remember’ I still can…but my memories are in an album…rather than cluttering my house.
Kristen´s last blog ..Kapow! (I ♥ Faces Fix It Friday)

By: Shannan

Shannan — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:19:50 +0000

Thanks Christina. It really does help to get ideas and input…and of course, the reassurance that I’m not the only one who hates to let things go.

By: Shannan

Shannan — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:18:44 +0000

I’m sure that had to be hard for you. I’m pretty sure my dad is struggling with the same thing, as far as cleaning things out at home. He just doesn’t talk about it much.

By: Shannan

Shannan — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:16:56 +0000

Thanks, Melissa. It’s so hard to deal with loss on any level and the idea of getting rid of things is like experiencing it all over again. I know! Maybe I’ll start by throwing away all my husband’s crap, then I’ll have room to keep all of mine…

By: Melissa Multitasking Mama

Melissa Multitasking Mama — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:06:21 +0000

What you are going through is normal for you for two reasons. 1- you describe yourself as a sentimental person that enjoys receiving meaningful gifts and 2- you just lost two significant people in your life.

As a professional organizer I would advise you to start with the clutter that you don’t have an emotional attachment to such as paper, magazines, etc. Once you see progress you will be more motivated to make decisions about other belongings.

As a friend, I say give yourself some time. Be conscious of how each object makes you feel and the memories you are attaching to it so that you can find other ways to meet those needs without keeping all the things.
Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Perspective

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:42:45 +0000

I lived with my Grandma before she died, and she often begged me not to get rid of her ‘stuff’. Of course, after she died, a lot the things she had accumulated did have to go, and it was one of the most difficult things I ever had to do. We had sold most of the living room furniture and were donating more, and when it came time to pack her China cabinet, I broke down… just couldn’t do it. It’s in my mother’s garage now, until I get to a place where I can afford to ship it to Peru. So no – I don’t think you’re crazy. I can completely relate to how hard it is to part with the things that remind us of those we loved.
Kelly´s last blog ..Skirmishes in the Food Revolution

By: Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Ever

Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Ever — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:06:14 +0000

You’re certainly not alone in having emotional attachments to material items. I always worry about what will happen after I get rid of something… like the very next week, I’ll need it even though I haven’t used it in over a year.

I can’t answer for the losing a parent part. I’m fortunate enough that my parents are still alive. I can see how that would make it even more difficult to get rid of things.

Can you take pictures of some of the stuff before you give it away, maybe make a scrapbook of the most precious things? Or you could make a video, holding the items and telling a little story about each one.

I don’t know if this makes any sense, but maybe it could help…
Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Ever´s last blog ..Dear Kid Saturday – Cramping Your Style