My mom has been saying that for 23 years. Every now and then she would remind me that I might come across things in my room that needs to be thrown out. But here's the problem: I'm not a thrower. Ask anyone! Ask my family and even my friends, they know I have a hard time letting go of things. As my sister said before, for me everything has sentimental value. I mean, sure every few years I clean out my closet for a garage sale yet somehow it seems like my room is still full of things - most probably things I no longer need.
Admit it! Sometimes cleaning out your room can take half of the time if only you don't sit down and look at all the things you stored. Maybe it's that picture that reminds you so much of someone, that notebook you doodled your notes on, or maybe that stuffed animal that may be old and gray. And with each and every single memory, decision boxes form in your head..to keep or not to keep?
I hate throwing away things so much my sister does it for me.
It does come to a point when my mom no longer needs to remind me of the things I should put aside. The things I see over and over again that I can never seem to throw out. The things I need to box up until I have to deal with it again.
So there I was cleaning up my room, looking at the pictures, and pulling out musty pieces. Putting it one by one in a box until they were just..things..not memories. I covered it with a cloth and sealed the box with tape. Then I walked up the stairs to tuck it away in the farthest part of the attic. Back where I can't reach it. For the first time, cleaning up my room wasn't such a burden anymore, it didn't drag on like it did before. I know I couldn't throw it away just yet, but it is out of my sight. And maybe I thought, it isn't so bad to throw things away once in a while.
It's a choice I have to make again and again, day in and day out. Not to keep.
