Collecting Memories | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Collecting Memories

What do you do when everything you own brings your joy?

11
Collecting Memories
Photo by Aiyana Moore

The fact that we, as human beings, collect things is a relatively interesting psychological phenomenon. After all, people all over the world collect a wide variety of things. No matter what it is, it's likely that someone collects it.

Most people collect things like rare coins, spoons from the places they visit, sports memorabilia for their favorite teams, expensive purses, baseball cards, or figurines. Sometimes, it's something more unique: phone books, industrial pipes, fortune cookie fortunes, or airline barf bags.

And, other times, the items that people collect are more than simply items.

When I was hired on to my first job after graduation, I started to prepare to move out of my childhood home and move into an apartment that was all mine. I plotted out what I would need to buy, where I would put everything, and what I wanted from my new place. As I got closer and closer to being able to afford an apartment, I began to realize how many things I had accumulate over the years. As I looked around my room, I realized that it would be impossible to find a place for every single figurine, music box, book, stuffed animal, and other tchotkes in my apartment. I might be content with a cluttered, well-loved room, but I wanted my apartment to be clean and walk-able.

That's when I turned to the KonMari method. KonMari is the nickname that Japanese cleaning guru, Marie Kondo, gave her technique of getting rid of clutter.

The theory of KonMari is that, while decluttering, if you look at an item and it doesn't immediately bring you joy, then you shouldn't allow it to take up space any longer.

While it's a great idea in theory, and did help me with a few items, I did run into a problem.

What happens when every single item that you own brings you joy?

It was here, in this very moment of standing in the middle of my cluttered room, holding a small owl figurine, that I realized that I don't collect anything normal.

Instead, I collect memories.

Every item I own -- every small toy, stuffed dragon, owl figurine, or necklace -- has some sort of memory associated with it. They came from a dear friend, were purchased during a vacation, passed down from a family member, or a reminder of the past.

Getting rid of an item is simple -- if it sits and collects dust, then put it in the giveaway bin.

Getting rid of memories? Not so simple.

And, yet, it was necessary.

So, if you find yourself in a situation such as mine -- holding on to items and realizing that everything you own brings you joy -- just realize that even though the item might be gone doesn't mean the memory is, as well.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

182825
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9540
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454075
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24246
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments