Holding On or Letting Go?
A personal reflection on clutter, memory, and making space
“Less is more.”
“Does it bring you joy?”
“Do you use it—or have you just been storing it for years?”
These are just a few of the questions worth asking when clutter begins to feel overwhelming. It’s not just about organization—it’s about creating space for calm, clarity, and intention. It’s not that my house is messy, but I just keep a lot of stuff I no longer want or need.
For example, the birds in the first photo were my moms. I have them on display on my firelplace mantle- I don’t even like them.
Having less can make daily life feel lighter. Fewer items mean less to clean, manage, and worry about. With less clutter, our surroundings become more peaceful, and so does our state of mind.
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| I used to use this teapot for flowers ; now it just sits in the basement |
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| This cookbook has hundreds of recipes |
Take, for example, two of my mother’s old large cookbooks from the 1950s. I’ve held onto them for years. I’m vegan, and the recipes inside—meatloaf, casseroles, gelatin molds—aren’t meals I would ever cook. Still, they sit taking up room on a shelf for years. I kept them for nostalgia, for connection, for the comfort of memory. But lately I’ve been asking myself: Will I ever use these? Will anyone in my family want them? Would I miss them if they were gone?
What are we really holding onto when we hold onto things from the past?
I hold onto clothes that I hardly ever wear. Costume jewelry from another era- Books I’ve already read—or never will. Old music records from the 1950’s and ‘60s that I no longer have a record player to play them on. Items that were shower and wedding gifts from 53 years ago that I never liked or want, extra sets of silverware that I don’t use, too many sets of dishes, lots of my mother’s crystal including her service for 16 crystal stemware of al sizes (water, wine, whiskey, cordials) that I never use or used -all sentiment; they sit in drawers, on shelves, in display cases and packed away in the basement.
Why is it so difficult to let go?
There are psychological roots to this, of course. Objects often hold emotional meaning. They connect us to people, to moments, to who we once were—or who we hoped to be. Letting go can feel like a loss, or even like erasing part of our identity or history. But sometimes, holding on creates more weight than comfort.
My parents lived through the Depression. They valued keeping things—just in case. Their home was filled with collections and curiosities. I remember being sixteen and asking my mother if I could de-clutter the living room shelves. She agreed—but told me not to throw anything away -just store it. When I was done, I thought the room looked serene and beautiful. But when my father came home, he looked around and asked, “Has the Depression hit again? What happened to all our stuff?” I told him I was just decluttering. His response? “Put it all back— I don’t want to live in a poor house.”
Their perspective shaped mine. And now, I’m slowly learning to reshape it.
So, I ask you—as I ask myself:
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What are you holding on to that no longer serves you?
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Are there items that you are keeping out of guilt, habit, or nostalgia?
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What might it feel like to let them go?
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Could clearing space actually bring a sense of relief—or even freedom?
Decluttering isn’t just about things. It’s about choosing what you carry forward, and what you’re ready to release.
Maybe it’s time!! How about you? What are you holding onto?
Now back to recipes. What’s for dinner tonight?: I’m making this simple delicious salad of rice, tomatoes, sesame seeds, chickpeas etc. Very simple and very tasty. Don’t eat rice? Use quinoa or for a low carb recipe use cauliflower rice.
Recipe: Rice, Tomato, Avocado Salad (link to recipe)
