Keephold of Treasured Items: 11 Items Emotionally Sensitive Individuals Hang onto, Regardless of their Disuse
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's not uncommon for us to cling to certain objects, each holding a piece of our past. These items, ranging from old love letters to concert wristbands, serve as tangible reminders of experiences, relationships, and moments that have shaped us.
A study shows that writing old-school love letters can make someone feel better about themselves, while keeping souvenirs from trips and event memorabilia like concert wristbands are ways for sentimental people to hold on to a memory and revisit a fun time they experienced [1]. For many, sentimental toys healed them during times of trauma, and family photographs are considered bits and pieces of history, carefully curated and shared with others.
The attachment to these items is rooted in several psychological factors. Nostalgia and sentimental value make objects evoke strong memories and emotions, serving as tangible reminders of past experiences or relationships. The fear of letting go symbolizes the end of a relationship or a significant period in life, causing uncertainty and reluctance to part with these items [2].
The sunk cost fallacy comes into play when people hold onto items because of the emotional investment they made in acquiring them, even if they no longer hold practical or emotional value. Identity and self-perception tie objects closely to a person's identity or sense of self, making it difficult to part with them as they are seen as integral to one's personal narrative [2].
Perceived value and fear of regret can increase the value of an item in a person's eyes, leading them to retain it even if it serves no practical purpose. People may feel emotionally attached to certain objects and need to save them to feel secure. Gifts from loved ones are kept as a way to keep the memory of the moment alive, and books that have changed someone's life are among the most frequently saved items for sentimental people [4].
Old diaries and journals are kept by sentimental people as a way to speak to their younger selves and reminisce about the past. Clothes that represent a moment in a person's life and are tied to their identity are hard to let go of, and many people prefer to repurpose old clothes with sentimental value rather than toss them away or purchase new ones.
Heirloom jewelry is often kept because of the unique history behind them and the sentimental value they hold. It's interesting to note that 74% of parents of adult children keep their artwork and school projects, while 70% keep their awards. Childhood toys or stuffed animals are kept because of the emotional attachment developed during times of separation from parents.
Sylvia Ojeda, an author with over a decade of experience writing novels and screenplays, covers self-help, relationships, culture, and human interest topics. She sheds light on the emotional landscape that makes it challenging for sentimental individuals to part with meaningful objects, providing insights into the complex interplay of these factors [3].
In essence, our sentimental attachments to objects and memories serve as a testament to the rich tapestry of our lives. They remind us of our past, shape our present, and perhaps even guide our future.
- Some individuals find a sense of self-improvement in writing old-school love letters, while holding onto souvenirs from trips or concert wristbands helps sentimental people to revisit past experiences and memories.
- Sentimental toys can have healing properties for individuals during times of trauma, and family photographs are considered vital pieces of history by many.
- The fear of letting go of items symbolizes the end of a relationship or significant period in life, causing people to retain sentimental objects due to nostalgia, sentimental value, and perceived value.
- Identity and self-perception are closely tied to objects, making it difficult for people to part with items that hold emotional significance as they are seen as integral to one's personal narrative.
- Old diaries and journals, clothes representing a moment in a person's life, heirloom jewelry, and gifts received from loved ones are often kept for sentimental purposes to evoke strong memories, emotions, and connections.
- Sylvia Ojeda, an author with experience in self-help, relationships, culture, and human interest topics, provides insights into the emotional landscape that makes it challenging for sentimental individuals to let go of meaningful objects in their lives.
