Friday, January 21, 2011

Sentiment vs. guilt - OM [one moment] meet up #38

I'm beginning to get nervous about our impending move to Reno.  In just a few short months, we will be putting our current home on the market.  Never before was I worried about selling, but I am in the current state of the economy.

Everyday, the "stuff" in our house reminds me of all the work that needs to be done.  We have a lot of purging to do.  Much of our big ticket items aren't worth moving across the country as it would be cheaper to replace on that end than to pay to have it moved.

I was in our basement earlier this week and noticed a box of miscellaneous tools and supplies.  It has been sitting there since we moved from Chicago to RI almost 7 years ago.  Really.  If we haven't so much as opened it, why the heck are we keeping it?!  I'm tempted to not even look inside for fear I'll want to keep something.


Among our many unopened boxes, we have outdated books that even our local library will no longer take.  Another box had a Chicago Tribune rolled up and neatly held together with a bow.  This paper, dated September 18, 1993, was a gift from a friend from the day C and I were married.  It's yellowing pages have never been opened.  It has moved with us 7 times, across 3 states, 13 years of post grad schooling, 2 kids, and a dog.  It has no monetary value and very little sentimental value.  I'm not a very sentimental person.
 
As I stood there, holding the paper, I started to think about why I've kept so many useless things.  It's not that I won't remember that my friend gave this to me.  I can tell you what every guest at our wedding gave us.  


So, I tweeted my discontent and got a helpful tip from a friend:

[follow @mriggen on Twitter]

I have to agree.  It isn't useful, beautiful, and I don't love it.  I've just kept it mostly out of guilt.  I've kept it just because every time I see it, I realize "well, I've kept it this long.  It's a shame to toss it now."  That isn't a good enough reason.  So, I'm tossing it.  So far, my word for the year - RELEASE - is working out quite nicely.  I like where this is going.


om [one moment] meet upOM is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment. Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, actively looking for and sharing these moments will promote balance in our lives.

Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, use hash tag - #omMeetup so we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!


Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.

5 comments:

  1. I, for one, would love to be on the receiving end of your tossing experiment...*wink *wink
    xoxo Beth
    PS with the exception of that beribboned chicago times! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am the SAME exact way. I have boxes that weren't opened the last time I moved and I should just get rid of them without even opening it. I don't even know what's in there!

    I think that Michelle is right. If you dont love it and it isn't useful, let's throw her out! I am going to take that tip too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes yes YES! Release is the perfect word for you! What's so awesome is that you have months to prepare for your move, so you really can figure out what exactly you do/don't want and release all the unnecessary stuff before you fly across the country!

    I used to read http://unclutterer.com/ religiously everyday...I've really absorbed a bunch of strategies to help keep a handle on stuff...take a look there if you're looking for inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't know if I'm sentimental about things or if it's that pull to hang on to the memory that's attached to the thing. I feel like if I don't hang on to these articles, I will forget the memory. But, if it was so important, why wouldn't I just remember without a reminder?

    I'm proud of you for committing to your RELEASE.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I use that wisdom before I make a purchase. It has kept me from buying crap I have to save or toss down the line. I'd get rid of everything if I hadn't married a pack rat. Great job letting go. Your image is stunning. It will bring back just as many memories some day.

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments! Got a question, email me. If you like my blog, please subscribe to my RSS feed.

Related Posts with Thumbnails