It's a Silly Little THING!

This past weekend, I was watching an organizing show on one of the cable stations. A young couple was moving in together and had more stuff than space. The young man was reluctant to get rid of anything, but seemed especially attached to a ceramic monkey figure that also functioned as an incense burner. It was a not a very attractive piece, nor was it very valuable. I'm sure that to people viewing the show, this guy seemed ridiculous for being so attached to this odd item.

But let's face it, we all have our own ceramic monkey incense burner. Maybe yours is a buddha cigarette lighter. Or a "hello kitty" pencil case. Or a vintage Welcome Back Kotter pillowcase, featuring John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino. (Sad to say, this last item was one I formerly owned. Oh, and did I mention it was SATIN??)

The problem comes in when our homes get filled with these items, and then there is no where to put actual useful things, like the 40 rolls of paper towels we seem to go through because we have an elderly beagle with kidney troubles. (Some more insight into my life for my loyal readers!)

It is fine to hold onto a limited number of these items, but we often keep them not because we particularly love, or even like, the item, but rather because of a memory of a person or place that we associate with the item. If that is the case (or pillowcase, in my case!) then take a picture of the item and then LET IT GO! The memory can still live on without the item being physically present. And your friends won't wonder why you have that silly, tacky monkey!