Decluttering for Chinese New Year: Throwing Out Childhood Books
I went through a cupboard full of old things last weekend as part of decluttering for Chinese New Year, and ended up throwing away lots of old stuff.
But it wasn’t easy. In fact, I dug up books that I hadn’t seen in years, and if you know me, you know I have a great fondness for books. I grew up with some of these books and boy, did they bring back some memories.
I was having a tough time clearing them out, which I realized was strange. Here I was; suddenly feeling nostalgic for things I hadn’t seen in years, when in all these years previously I’d nary given them a second thought.
I realized it was the past I was feeling nostalgic over, and these books had just triggered that for me. While I deeply treasure the happy memories growing up with these books gave me, the past was just that…the past, and I figured I’d always feel nostalgia for the past. I couldn’t keep every old thing with me simply because it reminded me of the past, and certainly not children’s books which I no longer read.
Have you ever had the experience of throwing out something that was a link to your past? What made you decide you could let it go peacefully?
P.S. I threw out the books, but my mom asked and my neighbor’s little girl took them home.
You post couldn’t have come at a better time. The new semester is starting at school, and I need to clean out those ancient lesson plans and resources I thought I might use again but haven’t. By the way, I enjoyed reading your Thai sojourn- lots of food for thought. I’ve been thinking of going on a retreat but am too chicken. Thanks for sharing.
Wah Say ! It sounds ironical. What you don’t want may become what I want. *Hint Hint*
Sorry Bren, I’ve already thrown the lot out for recycling
Thanks Elona! I think there are probably other ways of getting what you want to get out of a retreat without going quiet for 10 days.
I love it! Great article! I’m always in the simplify mode at my place and have been having fun learning how to let go off my attachment to “stuff”.
Seems every time i buy something it ends up blending into the background within a few weeks. Yay for buying less!