The Things You Should Never Let Go of: A Guide to Holding Onto What Matters
“Do I want to keep this item until I die?” I would ask myself.
I often questioned the purpose of keeping a certain possession. “Why do I have this?” Specifically the objects that are kept in storage at my family home. The ones without any present use case. Most of the time I found myself outside of the home, during which many of those belongings were completely forgotten. Out of sight, out of mind. I didn’t need them for any reason during my day to day or my journey. Having them with me would have only been a burden or distraction. So I dug deeper into the “Why?”.
Why am I keeping these items? Would they be useful to me someday in the future? Do I keep them only because I feel sentimental toward who or where it came from?
The only real answers I could come up with were:
I couldn’t let go of the meaning behind them, the memory of the person or experience it came from. Also, I think I’ll decorate my house with them someday… when I settle down.
Thats another way of saying “These are irreplaceable. If discarded — I’ll never be able to reacquire them again. I’ll not be able to return back to the emotional landscape of where they came to me. The memory that which they evoke could more easily drift away into the realm of forgotten.”
These are the types of items that I plan to keep for the future, until the end. Mementos that I tether to a significant person or recollection. Something that couldn’t be bought or remade. Treasured and priceless possessions, beloved memories and sentiments.
I wanted to keep only those till death. Truly special, once in a lifetime items that I held near and dear to my heart. Preferably lightweight and small mementos. As long as they didn't get in the way of my goals or pursuits. That they wouldn't become a burden to me or anyone else and each would all fit in my single box. Those were my guidelines.
Items I’ll keep till death:
An important essence lives within each of these items. An expression of my life that I won't let go of. I strive to be free of possessions, minimalism practice has given me strength and courage to move forward, to not be held back. However these items bring me joy to hold, to carry, to reminisce. They make me feel that I have lived, that I’ve made it this far, that people love and care about me. I’ll keep them till I die.
