So there's apparently a very good reason why we hold on to clutter- that dirty little term known as "emotional baggage". I always assumed that phrase described one of those odd folks you dated back in college...maybe it was the creepy obsession with cats (all 10 of them), the hourly "just checkin' in" calls to his mother or the weird little "characters" he acted out during temper tantrums...but I digress... what on earth could "emotional baggage" have to do with the clutter in my house? It turns out quite a lot.
According to Daily OM, we are scared to welcome the future and are afraid of hurting others' feelings; that's why we hold on to the clutter from our lives. I've had this discussion with my Mum many times- why are you holding on to this or that? It's because FILL IN THE BLANK gave it to us (read: what if they show up one day and I don't have that tacky vase or ugly mug to show for myself?!). God bless my Mother! Apparently, she has a way bigger heart than I do.
I look around my house and see an absurd amount of trip souvenirs that must be nearly 10 years old. How about the spelling pin I was awarded in grade school...the costume jewelry from senior prom...keychains from my first car. This article is spot on. The reason I still have these mementos is because somehow I think that giving them up will erase those memories forever. The mind does indeed play silly tricks on a sleep-deprived, clutter-hunting woman.
Perhaps there really is something to that "emotional baggage" theory. But I don't have cats nor tantrum characters...I do however, call my Mum on a daily, but not hourly basis. One out of three doesn't make me totally unstable, right?! : )
Happy reading- I hope you can gain some insight, too!
The Weight of Objects
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