Clearing out sentimental things

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Has anybody done it and regretted it? Or not regretted it?

I used to be sentimental about absolutely everything and rarely got rid of anything. I'm a lot better now but I'm still sitting on a lot of stuff that used to be important to me but now sits and gathers dust.

Things like participation medals from running, two huge boxes of old magazines, artwork and craft projects, a load of flattened pennies from tourist attractions, notes from authors (probably written by secretaries) that I wrote to as a teenager, little gifts from a penpal I haven't spoken to in five years...

I know it'll all go straight in a skip when I'm gone and I live in a small house so holding onto all this stuff for the rest of my life seems daft but I somehow can't bring myself to get rid.

In my opinion, you will probably forget about each item once they are gone. As sad as that may seem right now, I dont think it will have a lasting effect on you. I can hardly talk as I am a bit of a hoarder myself. But we are trying to mainly keep pictures and cards (anything flat that doesnt take up much space). Anything else if it doesn't "spark joy" when you hold it or you're not displaying it, I would (well should) get rid... you could always take a picture of items to keep the memories.

I think I probably would but that it's only probably is what makes me hesitate. I used to be very attached to books. I don't regret cutting those down to my true favourites but when I was getting rid of those, I knew they could be easily replaced. I'm finding it much harder to make the decision to get rid of things that I know can't be replaced easily if I regret it afterwards.

this is what digital photography was invented for (or maybe not). Take photos, back up to CD or USB, then dispose of the items. Much smaller to store and easier for the heirs to throw away!

I've done several big clearouts and never regretted getting rid of anything. Now just need the moral fibre to lose the rest of the dust collectors!

I got rid of some things of my mum's because I thought I was ready, but I still get upset thinking about it now and wish I hadn't.

Yes, our precious objects will be chucked in the bin once we die but the difference is we won't be around to know or experience their loss!

I agree mencken! Take photos of crafts and artworks. Things like the pennies and medals can be put in deep picture frames and hung on the wall. You could make a nice collection of interesting things grouped together on one wall.

Yeah, I think that if I really wanted the stuff, I'd have it on display but I don't want it on display. I could photograph it all and not look at the photographs like I don't look at the stuff! I suppose it's just getting over the 'maybe one day...'

I have a place where i keep stuff. I add to it, Ahmad then abhor once every several years i go through it. I get rid of the things when i can no longer their meaning. Therefore i don't regret losing them.

@user1423578854468 this happened to me too. At the time I just wanted everything to be over with and rushed clearing out all her stuff without really thinking. It was a mistake. DP says it was the right thing to do and I wouldn't have wanted any of it but he is wrong.

Having had the awful task more than once of sorting through the contents of elderly relatives homes please donate what you can to charity shops, sell anything of any worth and treat yourself in the here and now and take the time to organise photos and family memorabilia because they are the precious things we leave behind

I kept some things of my parents when they died and I was clearing the house. That was many years ago, and even now I regret sending some things to the charity shop. Every so often, I remember the things and wish I could go back! If in doubt, keep.