I’m an emotional person who easily tears up. My heart fills with warmth when I reminisce about my children’s younger years or ponder who they will become. I genuinely appreciate who they are right now. However, I am not one to cling to sentimental items.
I throw away their artwork. I don’t keep yearbooks or graduation programs. Baby clothes and sports jerseys? Donated. I just don’t see the value in holding onto such things. In fact, I got rid of my own yearbooks over ten years ago and have never looked back.
People often ask, “What if your kids want these items one day?” That’s up to them. I have one child who loves to keep mementos, and another who disposes of things like I do. If they wish to save items, I’m more than happy to provide them a storage box. If they don’t utilize it, it’s a clear sign they didn’t care—straight to the trash it goes. Plus, my spouse tends to keep everything, so at least one parent is preserving those memories.
Clutter triggers my anxiety, and just the thought of the boxes of old papers in my kids’ closet makes me anxious. When their belongings overflow onto the floor and into other rooms? That’s a recipe for frustration.
Don’t get me wrong; I do have sentimental items. For example, I kept my son’s beloved blanket, some adorable pottery pieces, and a few videos that still make me smile years later. A small bag of baby clothes is too precious to part with.
I also have my moments of emotion. A few years ago, when I packed up my children’s crib to pass it on to a relative, I had to pause for a good cry. Then I moved on.
What I don’t feel nostalgic about are the countless other items: videos of my kids babbling, their fifth-grade t-shirts, participation trophies from second-grade basketball, and report cards from various grades. There’s simply too much stuff.
Setting Boundaries
Here’s the reality: even if you think I’m heartless for tossing items and not holding onto every piece of childhood memorabilia, we all have to set boundaries. It’s impossible to keep every scrap of paper, artwork, and trophy. So whether you recognize it or not, you have your own limits, even if they differ from mine.
This doesn’t mean I’m not cherishing my children’s childhood. I focus my energy on creating mental snapshots rather than organizing their projects and certificates. I strive to be present during important moments, capturing millions of mental images that I revisit often. I talk about these memories, write about them, and reflect on them.
And yes, I allow myself to feel emotional—even if I’m not particularly sentimental.
Further Reading
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In summary, I find it essential to maintain a clutter-free environment, which often means donating or discarding many of my kids’ belongings. While I may not be sentimental about most items, I cherish the memories and experiences that define their childhood.