How do you determine which things are worth keeping just for the sake of memory or sentimental attachment? How do you find the appropriate balance? For those with wisdom beyond my 24 years, are there things you regret not keeping? What did you later decide wasn't worth hauling around?
Background info on why I'm asking these questions:
The most recent post on Unclutterer about the person storing boxes for her sister really got me thinking about sentimental objects and their associated value.
First, it got me thinking about the two small boxes of "memory" items I asked my mom to store at her house because currently I live in a 500 sq ft with one small closet, a husband, and his many work tools that take up normal small space storage options available to your typical apartment dweller. Our under bed space for example contains bins with our everyday clothes since our room doesn't have space for a dresser. Although my mom doesn't mind, I do feel bad about imposing upon her space with my things and worse is that most likely I won't have the ability to take these items off of her hands for at least a few years as I will likely be moving somewhere like Alaska or Montana for a few years as I continue my studies.
At 24 I struggle with the idea of sentimental clutter because having grown up with parents who are borderline hoarder's, I find myself trying to seek clean, minimal, and organizing surroundings and I can't help but be bothered by the idea of holding onto things that don't serve a utilitarian purpose and take up space. On the other hand though, I remember spending hours going through my mom's silly box of memories. I loved looking at her yearbook, seeing childhood school assignments, and other things that she made when she was my age, it made me feel connected to her. How do I determine what to keep and is it worth keeping if I have to store these few items elsewhere?
This is my first post so I apologize if it is too long or should go somewhere else on this forum.
THANKS!
